Objective. To evaluate the academic experience and satisfaction of students who completed a dual PharmD/MBA degree program and the program's long-term impact on the students' career choice and earning potential. Methods. GPAs, job placement, and starting job salaries were compared between graduates who completed the dual PharmD/MBA program and those who completed only the PharmD program. A satisfaction survey instrument was administered to 17 students who completed the dual PharmD/MBA degree program in May 2007. Data from a standardized job placement and starting salary survey instrument completed by all PharmD graduates were also obtained, as well as all students' final grade point averages (GPAs). GPAs, job placement, and starting job salaries were compared between graduates who had completed the dual PharmD/MBA program and those who had completed only the PharmD program. Results. The graduating GPAs of dual-degree students were higher than those of both pharmacy (3.52 vs 3.41, p . 0.10) and business (3.82 vs. 3.68, p 5 0.018) students not enrolled in the dual-degree program. Dual-degree students were slightly less likely to enter a residency (17% vs. 27%, p 5 0.44) than other pharmacy graduates. Among those who elected not to pursue a residency, both mean starting salaries ($111,090 vs. $101,965) and mean total first-year compensation ($127,290 vs. $110,388) were significantly higher for dual-degree graduates compared to the PharmD graduates. Conclusions. Students enrolled in the dual-degree program did slightly better academically than students who completed only the MBA or PharmD programs and indicated a high level of satisfaction with the program. Dual-degree graduates reported increased career opportunities and were slated to earn significantly more during their first year in the workforce. These results affirm continuation of our program and make the case for support of similar programs across the nation.

The Outreach Center for Science and Health Career Opportunities opened at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in July 1993, to provide a central site of coordination for the university's science education activities designed to link those "doing science" at the medical center with students, teachers, and the general population throughout Kentucky. By providing an infrastructure for outreach programs and by being highly visible to the public, the center attracts extramural funding, allows tracking of the program's students, and facilitates the development of science education partnerships between the university of Kentucky communities. The rationale for establishing the center, methods of operation, and impact on the region's science literacy problem are discussed.