BSPBS, 2+4 Degree Programs Available
“Start Here, Go Anywhere” is a mantra ringing true for students at the UGA College of Pharmacy.
Committed to success in career outcomes for the almost 1,000 enrolled students, the College has worked diligently to create academic pathways that will ultimately lead to placement in jobs and graduate or professional schools. Shining examples of these new pathways are the revised Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (BSPBS) and the new 2+4/BSPBS-Doctor of Pharmacy degree programs.
Stellar career and advanced education placement statistics validate this placement mission. Recent numbers from the BSPBS program indicate that 73% of graduates went on to pursue graduate and professional education, while 27% secured jobs in government or industry. PharmD placement numbers are just as impressive. In a recent career and salary survey, almost 42% of the respondents indicated they had secured residency placement; in fact, 91% of students who applied for a residency were successfully matched, greatly exceeding the national average. Further, the number of students accepted into fellowship programs was the highest on record–6.4%. In addition, almost 30% of graduates landed jobs in community retail or independent pharmacies. One of the greatest beneficiaries of this placement? Georgians–60% of the graduates started their career in the state.
Obviously, these successes are, in large part, due to the academic pathways taught by proven faculty members who use a rigorous curriculum. Yet, there is no better way to tell this success story than through the perspectives of students. So, meet Josh Robinson ‘25 and Piper Royal!
BSPBS Degree Provides Academic Home For Students Committed to Healthcare Solutions
Josh Robinson is soaring to new heights in his career aspirations. A May 2025 summa cum laude graduate of the BSPBS program, Robinson currently is working on his M.S. degree in the College’s International and Biomedical Regulatory Sciences (IBRS) program. Since he was young, the Bainbridge, GA native has remained steadfast in his career decision: to find solutions to some of society’s greatest disease states, especially cancer. The academic pathway he is travelling is leading him in the right direction.
“I found an academic home at the College of Pharmacy during my undergraduate years, which remains true for me in my graduate program,” said Robinson. “The BSPBS community is close-knit and has a huge support system. When I graduated in May, I felt like I had a solid foundation in drug development and discovery—all the way through to commercialization. I learned the entire life cycle of medicinal drugs that improve health and save lives. Literally, I was prepared to go to any job or graduate school–and I did! My IBRS program at UGA is just one more step in my career journey.”
Read more about Josh in a story published this past spring.
Providing a great foundation for pre-health students who seek an undergraduate degree with smaller class sizes and a cohort vibe, the redefined BSPBS program now has two areas of emphasis—Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Sciences. To better reflect the new structure, the program was renamed the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences this fall.
A Glance at the Two Areas of Emphasis
The Pharmaceutical Sciences track is tailored for students interested in the full pipeline of drug development. Coursework and training focus on medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, drug delivery, and quality control testing. Graduates in this area are sought out by pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, drug discovery and manufacturing, as well as regulatory oversight. However, many of the students, such as Robinson, go on to expand their education in graduate or professional studies.
The Biomedical Sciences track is targeted to students who are interested in fundamental life sciences, human health, and disease states. Training encompasses anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, immunology, and biomedical data science. Graduates go on to professional programs in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, nursing, and allied health, or research and graduate studies in basic biomedical sciences.
“With these changes, students can tailor their coursework to their interests in such areas as drug development, health care, and biomedical research,” said Yaguang Xi, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, which houses the BSPBS program. “These two areas of emphasis reflect where the field is headed and assure that students leave with a strong foundation, focused skills, and competencies aligned with their aspirations.”
Along with the dual tracks, the College offers a BS/MS Dual Degree Program for students in the Pharmaceutical Sciences emphasis. This accelerated pathway allows students to combine undergraduate and graduate work in approximately five years, specializing either in regulatory sciences or in laboratory-based areas. In addition, the College offers a BS/JD degree designed for students with a passion for pharmaceuticals and law, which offers an accelerated pathway to earn both degrees in just six years.
Students interested in the BSPBS degree and its two pathways may contact Leslie Standridge, Academic Advisor.
BSPBS + PharmD = 6 Years
Piper Royal is a young woman on a mission. The first-year PharmD student from Sandy Springs, GA embraced the College’s new academic pathway that will allow her to complete her professional pharmacy studies in just six years.
Piper Royal, P1
“I signed up for this pathway because I can earn my PharmD degree more quickly and get to work!” she said. “I’ve always wanted to go into the healthcare field and help people reach their health goals. For many reasons, I knew that medical school or any other healthcare program was just not for me.”
After attending a pharmacy camp at Mercer University while she was in high school, Piper landed her career sites on pharmacy. Her plan is to pursue the clinical side of her profession, either in pediatrics or oncology. Already, she has immersed herself in the life of a PharmDawg–she is on the executive board for RxPups, an organization for pharmacy students interested in pediatrics, and she is a member of SOAP, the Student Oncological Advocates in Pharmacy.
The other reason she was thrilled to be in the 2+4 program? “UGA is my dream school,” she said. “I get to be a Dawg for six years; not just the typical four.”
Unique in its application, the BSPBS/PharmD pathway allows students to earn both a baccalaureate and professional PharmD degrees in just six years. The pathway begins with two years of foundational undergraduate coursework, followed by the four-year PharmD program. While enrolled in the PharmD program, students also have the option to pursue a graduate-level certificate or add a master’s degree in Public Health, Business Administration, Clinical Trials Management, or Regulatory Sciences. If desired, a student can earn three degrees from UGA in just six years: a BSPBS, a PharmD, and either a Master’s of Science with an area of emphasis in Regulatory Sciences or Clinical Trials Management, or a Master of Public Health.
Explained Dr. Duc Do, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, “Our goal is to create pharmacists who will contribute effectively within the emerging healthcare team. This unique pathway integrates the scientific foundations of an undergraduate curriculum with the translational and clinical applications emphasized in the PharmD program. We also are proud that this was one of the first Double Dawgs pathways at UGA to offer a professional, terminal degree,” he added.
Regardless of the pathway traveled, the outcome for students is promising. The College of Pharmacy rings the bell loudly when it encourages students to “Start Here, Go Anywhere.”
