Writer: Carol Dolan BS RN BSN CDCES
Are you considering enrolling in a top MD/MPH program? Enrolling in a MD MPH dual degree program has become more abundant in recent years, with many top medical schools offering robust dual degree medical education programs. This list of top MD MPH programs ranks the top programs that offer a medical degree combined with a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, combining medicine and public health. A dual degree program can enhance medical education with public health coursework, opening doors that may not otherwise exist.
Students in a MD/MPH program develop the knowledge and skills needed to combine clinical expertise with a background in public health. Many MD MPH programs provide opportunities for master of public health specialization in areas such as epidemiology, health education, nutrition, biostatistics, rural health, public health policy, disaster and emergency management, and environmental health. Public health skills are developed and many perform academic research in their program of choice. Most dual MD/MPH programs add about one year to the medical education program, with many budding physicians finding that completing this dual degree program in the midst of their medical education is a good way to broaden their knowledge and potential opportunities. Check out this list of the top 10 dual MD MPH degree programs.
Methodology for Ranking the Best MD/MPH Programs
This ranking of the top 10 best MD MPH dual degree programs was developed using an initial pool from the list of 80 schools in the directory of MD/MPH educational opportunities available through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Top MD/MPH programs considered have both an accredited medical school and a Master of Public Health program accredited by The Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH). Programs were ranked based on national recognition for both their medical school and the Master of Public Health (MPH) programs, the time required to complete the dual program, the number of concentrations available, and unique program traits. Tuition costs are included for information and comparison only and were derived from the College Navigator website. Some programs listed have special tuition and scholarships available to students in the dual degree MD/MPH program. Tuition costs and program information should be confirmed by students by contacting their schools of interest. Program profile information was acquired directly from school websites.
1. Harvard University: Boston, MA
2. University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill, NC
3. University of Washington: Seattle, WA
4. Columbia University: NY, NY
5. Johns Hopkins University: Baltimore, MD
6. University of Minnesota: Twin Cities
7. University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI
8. University of California: Los Angeles, CA
9. Yale University: New Haven, CT
10. Emory University: Atlanta, GA
10. Emory University: Atlanta, GA
MD MPH Programs
Tuition: $43,800
This dual MD/MPH program from Emory University’s top School of Medicine and from nationally ranked Rollins School of Public Health is designed to be completed within five years. Four years are spent in the School of Medicine, and one additional year is spent at the Rollins School of Public Health following the clinical block of medical school, with the completion of the MD/MPH program satisfying the discovery phase requirement. Admittance into this top MD/MPH dual degree program is contingent on being in satisfactory academic standing and professional conduct in the School of Medicine. This program is open to students in medical schools outside of Emory University. This robust public health degree has six concentrations available: behavioral, social, and health education sciences; environmental health; epidemiology; global epidemiology; global health; and health policy and management. This MD/MPH program prepares graduates to work as physicians in the public health field with the ability to effectively manage health programs and risk factors in individuals and communities. Graduates of this top MD/MPH program will be qualified to work in international and governmental agencies, clinics, health departments, research roles, academic research and higher education.
9. Yale University: New Haven, CT
MD/MPH Programs
Tuition: $44,500
Yale University’s top MD/MPH program is specially designed for medical students who are interested in aspects of medicine that deal with biostatistics, epidemiology of acute and chronic diseases, organization and management of health care services, environmental health, and/or preventive medicine and public health. This MD/MPH program combines the Yale School of Public Health’s (YSPH) two-year Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with the School of Medicine’s four-year Doctor of Medicine degree into a unique five-year program. Both the MD and MPH degrees are awarded simultaneously at the conclusion of the five-year period. MD/MPH program students complete all departmental requirements, including a practicum in public health and the thesis/capstone course. Students in the MD/MPH program are required to complete 15 course units in public health coursework (not the 20 required for those outside of the MD/MPH program), and they are not required to complete a summer internship at YSPH. In addition, one thesis in an appropriate subject area satisfies both the MD and the MPH degree requirements.
8. University of California: Los Angeles, CA
MD MPH Programs
In-State Tuition: $11,442
Out-of-State Tuition: $26,544
UCLA’s top Fielding School of Public Health and School of Medicine offer this MD/MPH dual degree program, which is designed to be completed in five years. Students in this top MD/MPH program complete four years of medical school, and they complete one year plus one additional quarter in the Fielding School of Public Health. UCLA medical students can apply to the MPH program during the fall quarter of their third year. This top MD/MPH program offers public health concentrations in biostatistics, community health sciences, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, and health policy and management. UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of six to one, with students coming from 27 different countries and from every region in the United States. This top MD/MPH program is located in one of the country’s most culturally, commercially, and economically diverse areas.
7. University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI
MD/MPH Programs
In-State Tuition: $23,344
Out-of-State Tuition: $49,120
This top MD/MPH program offered by the University of Michigan is designed to promote public health work among physicians. This MPH/MD program admits a small number of medical students and is for students with an interest in community medicine, health behavior and education, healthcare management, healthcare or public health policy, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, and nutritional sciences. Further, it is designed for students who want to enrich their medical education with a public health program. Students eligible for this dual-degree program must be currently enrolled in an accredited medical school, be employed in their medical residency, or be in a medical fellowship. The MPH portion of the program requires a minimum of 42 credit-hours, which can be fulfilled in one academic year, including a summer term. Students enrolled in this MD/MPH program typically take a leave of absence from medical school between the second and third years to complete their public health coursework. The MPH is granted once the MD is completed.
6. University of Minnesota; Twin Cities
MD MPH Programs
In-State Tuition: $17,580
Out-of-State Tuition: $27,204
The University of Minnesota’s top MD/MPH program gives medical students the opportunity to earn their MPH degree and expand their knowledge in population-based science. This robust program prepares students to serve as leaders and practitioners in the application of public health principles, apply scientific methods to current problems and concerns in society, and demonstrate understanding of cultural and environmental factors affecting patients. This top MD/MPH program is designed to be completed in five years, with the opportunity to complete the MPH portion of the dual degree completely online. Medical students may apply to this 42-credit MD MPH program during their second, third, or fourth year of medical school.
5. Johns Hopkins University: Baltimore, MD
MD/MPH Programs
Tuition: $57,010
This top MD/MPH program can be completed in just 11 months. JHU medical students must complete the application process to this robust program, competing with students from other top medical schools around the country. Medical students apply to the MPH program and request a one-year leave of absence from their medical education. This top MD/ MPH program provides medical students with the tools and population-based perspective on health needed to address today’s public health challenges. This program is designed to be completed between year two and three of medical school. This MD/MPH programs has 12 concentrations to choose from: aging and public health; child and adolescent health; epidemiologic & biostatistical methods for public health & clinical research; food, nutrition and health; food systems and public health; global environmental sustainability & health; health leadership and management; health systems and policy; humanitarian health; infectious diseases; social & behavioral sciences in public health; and women’s and reproductive health. Students in the MD/MPH program interact with students from 80 nations and diverse professional backgrounds.
4. Columbia University: New York, NY
MD MPH Programs
Tuition: $49,024
Columbia University’s top MD/MPH program can be completed in about five years, with students completing the MPH portion of this program between year three and four of medical school. Public health concentrations available in this challenging program include: biostatistics, epidemiology, general public health, health policy and management, population and family health, and sociomedical sciences. Medical students have the opportunity to take courses toward the MPH under their medical school registration at no extra cost during the first three years of medical education, except for the public health integrated core semester, which must be completed while registered in the Mailman School of Public Health (MSPH). 39 credit points in public health courses are required beyond the medical degree. This MD/MPH program promises that students will gain the expertise needed to tackle current complex public health challenges and open up interesting opportunities.
3. University of Washington: Seattle, WA
MD/MPH Programs
In-State Tuition: $16,278
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,178
The University of Washington’s top MD/MPH program is designed for medical students with clear career goals in public health, and for medical students with career goals in clinical medicine who wish to gain additional skills in health care delivery management. This is a concurrent program with the MPH completed in one year. This health services MPH program offers instruction in research methods, health care systems, health economics, health promotion, and the social determinants of health. By combining these domains into a single course of study, students are afforded a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary study and work. In addition to requirements, this program offers a broad selection of elective courses that can be matched to individual interests. Applicants to this top MD/MPH program typically apply during their first year of medical school, and they must be in good academic standing.
2. University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill, NC
MD MPH Programs
In-State Tuition: $10,552
Out-of-State Tuition: $28,278
Offered through UNC’s School of Medicine, the health care and prevention MD/MPH program is one of the largest and best-developed programs of its kind, with many students applying to participate in this top MD/MPH program. Between 15 and 25 percent of each medical class enrolls and graduates from this MD/MPH program, which is entered after the third year, building on clinical experience. Students in the health care and prevention MPH spend a total of 12 months in the program. Other public health concentrations include: epidemiology, maternal and child health, and health policy and management. These concentrations are open to medical students, but they require a separate application and may take longer to complete. Regardless of which concentration is chosen, students develop skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, and the critical assessment of medical literature. With an abundance of elective opportunities, students can develop their individual area of interest. This MD/MPH program is designed and taught by clinicians and public health faculty who are national leaders in their area of expertise, attracting students to this top program.
1. Harvard University: Boston, MA
MD/MPH Programs
Tuition: $49,448
Harvard University’s top MD/MPH program is designed to be completed in five years. Students complete the MPH requirements during the third or fourth year of medical school. Medical students must complete their Principal Clinical Experience (PCE) prior to the start of the MPH portion of the MD/MPH degree program. This robust 42.5-credit MPH program is designed for students with a career interest in public health or preventative medicine who are enrolled in the medical school. Students enrolled in the MD/MPH program receive the MPH degree upon successfully completing both programs. Concentrations in this top MD/MPH program include: global health, health and social behavior, health management, health policy, occupational and environmental health, and quantitative methods. Harvard’s challenging MD/MPH program will be sure to stimulate and challenge students, shaping their view of the world and opening opportunities in medicine and public health.
FAQ’s
By being a medical doctor in public health can impact individuals and populations. According to the CDC, public health initiatives over the last 100 years have added 25 years to the life expectancy in the U.S. due to improvements in workplace safety, food safety, motor vehicle safety, vaccinations, and declines in death from heart attack and stroke. There is still improvements to be made, and being a MD with an MPH you can help lead the way.
By getting the dual MD MPH dual degree you can eliminate some duplication that would happen if got the degrees separately. These two degrees complement each other and provide a broader understanding of community and global health and disease prevention. Doctors with a public health degree are prepared to diagnose health problems and provide interventions as well as understand and intervene as they also can observe health risks in individuals and communities.
It will add time to an already long education. Since the MPH is completed before starting medical practice there is not much time to integrate the information into practice. Some complete the MPH during their residency, which would possibly afford more practical application while working.
If you’re interested in influencing public health policy or work in population health the MPH is an important professional degree. Medical school curriculum is related to treating acute and chronic disease and is useful as a background to improving public health. Many doctors holding the MPH degree develop expertise in research methods, epidemiology, and biostatistics, and they pursue careers that combine medical practice with research in medicine or public health.
Working in population health, global public health, public health agencies, community health organizations, public and private healthcare organizations, health insurance companies, biostatistics, pharmacueticals, residency programs related to community and public health, international health, and research are all possibilities.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is the organization for public health. APHA works to strengthen the profession and influence federal policies. APHA’s mission is to improve the health of the public and achieve equity in health status. They have a global membership with members from over 40 countries.
The American Medical Association (AMA) is the largest professional organization for doctors. There you will find information for public health physicians and community health as well as clinical practice. AMA supports medical students, residents, and physicians.
Check out the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Directory of MD MPH Dual Degree Educational Opportunities to find a list of all MD MPH dual degree programs.
By Carol Dolan BS RN BSN CDCES
Carol graduated with her BS in Nutrition from Montclair State University and her BSN in Nursing from Rowan University. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) currently working with adults and children living with diabetes in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
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