By: Sabrina Miller, Content Strategy Director
BALTIMORE, Md. 鈥 Madison Heyman D鈥25 arrived at 海角社区 (NDMU) with a clear goal: to become a pharmacist. What she didn鈥檛 expect was how quickly her passion would grow beyond pharmacy. Driven by curiosity and ambition, Heyman charted a new path and earned her master鈥檚 degree in healthcare data analytics from Clarkson University while pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy at NDMU.
This notable achievement is thanks to a partnership between NDMU and Clarckson University. Through this agreement, NDMU鈥檚 Doctor of Pharmacy students can enroll in one of three healthcare management master鈥檚 degree programs from Clarkson鈥 Healthcare Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Leadership, or an MS in Healthcare Data Analytics. This partnership enables NDMU students to earn a master鈥檚 degree focused on the business of healthcare, while simultaneously completing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at NDMU.
Heyman鈥檚 decision to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in healthcare data analytics at Clarkson, in addition to a Doctor of Pharmacy at NDMU, aligned perfectly with her interest in the analytical side of pharmacy. 鈥淚 knew this additional master鈥檚 degree would help me stand out as a pharmacist. The interdisciplinary approach of blending clinical knowledge, statistical modeling, and health informatics made me think this program would be a great fit for me.鈥
Dr. Matthew Shimoda, dean of the School of Pharmacy & Health Professions, says the program reflects students鈥 evolving career goals. 鈥淪tudents today are looking for career pathways where there are areas of high growth. This dual-degree option helps them gain a competitive edge in an everchanging healthcare market.鈥
The Clarkson master鈥檚 programs are offered entirely online, a factor that helped Heyman manage both degrees. The path to earning both degrees has not been without challenges. 鈥淚 remember after a pharmacy school exam, my friends would be relieved to take a short break from studying, but I had to go home and finish coursework for my master鈥檚 program,鈥 she recalled.
Her advice to other students considering this opportunity? 鈥淪tay organized and be proactive!鈥 Heyman credits her support system of family and friends who encouraged her through the stressful times and helping her stay focused. Pharmacy runs in the family 鈥 her grandfather was a prominent pharmacist in the Baltimore region.
鈥淚 absolutely loved my time at NDMU Pharmacy and Clarkson University,鈥 Heyman reflects. 鈥溾楢 ship in harbor is safe, but that鈥檚 not what ships are built for鈥 鈥 you can do anything you put your mind to so do not be afraid to enroll in the dual degree program!鈥
Established in 1895, 海角社区 (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. 海角社区 has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.