Influence of a nontraditional master's degree on graduates' career paths

Graduates' assessments of the University of Texas at Austin's nontraditiona l MS. degree program in pharmacy administration were studied. A survey was constructed to assess the impact of the master's program on ca reer advancement, to examine why pharmacists enrolled in the program, and t o determine if the curriculum provided knowledge or developed skills that w ere practical or beneficial. The survey was mailed in April 1999 to all per sons who had completed the program between 1990 and 1998. A total of 56 graduates responded, for a response rate of 90.3%. The three reasons for entering the program most frequently cited as most important we re career advancement, personal development, and the desire to change job r esponsibilities. Thirty-four respondents (60.7%) reported receiving a promo tion or changing jobs for a higher position white they were enrolled in the program or after completing it Of these 34 respondents, 29 (85.3%) attribu ted their promotion or new job to the master's degree. On average, graduate s reported that the knowledge and skills obtained through the program had b een useful in their practice. The benefits of the program that were cited m ost frequently were management skills, competencies in areas of pharmacy bu siness, opportunity to advance career, job satisfaction, and competitive ad vantage when applying for a job. A nontraditional master's degree program in pharmacy administration had a p ositive impact on the career paths of graduates.