The Management, Policymaking, and Leadership Certificate Program

Through the Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Practice, pharmacy students are also offered the opportunity to participate in the Management, Policy-Making, and Leadership (MPL) Certificate Program. This extra-curricular program accepts students throughout the College of Pharmacy to receive individual instruction on developing their management, policy, and leadership competencies. A strong foundation on all three components is required to advance the profession effectively. Students are taught how advocacy is prominent in advancing the pharmacy profession.

The MPL Program consists of structured discussion sessions with topics on leadership, management, policymaking, and advocacy. During the discussion on leadership, students are taught vital skills to make them more effective leaders capable of communicating a vision, setting direction, and aligning others toward voluntary commitment to a common goal. Management is taught by understanding how to effectively execute the achievement of goals to accomplish the established vision. Finally, students are introduced to key legislation and committees impacting pharmacy to better understand policymaking and advocacy. The university leverages its proximity to the California State Capitol to attend State Board of Pharmacy Meetings and meetings at the State Pharmacy organization headquarters. Students visit the state Capitol and are introduced to legislators, legislative chambers, and those committees most apt to determine the direction of pharmacy practice. Additionally, students research current Senate Bills advocated by pharmacy-based organizations and present their findings to the program cohort. Overall, the program allows pharmacy students to immerse themselves in the advocacy process.