University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Announces Launch of M-Pact Curriculum for Fall 2026

The reimagined Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum reflects years of collaboration and will take effect with the Fall 2026 entering class, with no changes for current students.

By Pam Carder
February 16, 2026

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) has announced the launch of its new M-Pact curriculum, a reimagined Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) educational experience that will begin with the Fall 2026 entering class. The curriculum represents the culmination of several years of planning, review, and collaboration across the School’s community.

Current PharmD students will not be affected by the change and will continue to complete the School’s legacy PharmD curriculum, which is fully accredited, highly ranked, and aligned with preparation for licensure, residency, and diverse pharmacy career pathways.

“This is an exciting milestone for our School and a reflection of our commitment to continuous improvement in pharmacy education,” said Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of pharmaceutical sciences. “At the same time, it was essential for us to clearly affirm that our current students’ academic paths, schedules, and graduation timelines remain unchanged.”

The M-Pact curriculum was developed following a comprehensive curriculum review that began in 2022, prompted by evolving best practices in pharmacy education, updated accreditation standards, and the release of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s Curricular Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPAs). A Curriculum Reimagination Task Force comprised of faculty, staff, and PharmD students gathered input through surveys, focus groups, and town halls, ensuring broad representation and engagement.

“The curriculum review process was intentionally inclusive and data-driven,” said Agnes Ann Feemster, PharmD, BCPS, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs and associate professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research (P-SHOR). “Feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and preceptors helped us to identify opportunities to streamline learning, strengthen competency-based education, and better prepare future pharmacists for an increasingly complex health care environment.”

The M-Pact curriculum is designed to emphasize earlier career exploration, cultural and structural humility, health equity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and a pharmapreneurial mindset. Like in the current curriculum, students will complete six semesters of coursework focused on medication expertise, professionalism, essential pharmacy skills, and applied science and therapeutics, followed by individualized experiential learning in the final year.

Faculty will play a central role during the transition period, teaching in both the legacy and M-Pact curricula to ensure continuity, instructional excellence, and a consistent educational standard across cohorts.

For PharmD students interested in dual degrees, the new curriculum complements UMSOP’s wide range of options. Students may tailor their PharmD education to their interests and career goals, and pursue dual degrees in business, law, public health, regulatory science, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutical health services research, palliative care, medical cannabis science and therapeutics, and pharmacometrics through the School itself, other University of Maryland, Baltimore schools, and partnerships across the University System of Maryland and beyond. Each year, 8–10 percent of UMSOP graduates complete dual degrees – well above the national average – highlighting strong student interest in personalized, career-aligned training.

“Our faculty have been deeply engaged throughout this process and are energized by the opportunity to shape the future of PharmD education,” said Megan Ehret, PharmD, MS, BCPP, president of UMSOP’s Faculty Assembly and professor of P-SHOR. “The M-Pact curriculum builds on the incredible strength of our existing program while positioning future graduates to adapt, lead, and innovate in a rapidly evolving profession.”

Questions about the curriculum transition may be directed to the Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs or the Office of Students.

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