Why Get an MPH Degree?

If you're interested in taking a broader perspective on health care and making a difference for both the individual patient and the community, you can obtain a Master of Public Health degree while completing your medical school training.

The MD/MPH dual degree is designed to give you the skills needed to succeed in medicine and public health. The dual degree opens up expanded career opportunities in many exciting fields of service, such as academic medicine, research, health administration, and public health, including local, state, federal, and international health agencies.

Five-Year Program

The bulk of the MPH coursework occurs in the fourth year following the traditional third year clinical clerkships. Students continue patient care experiences one half day per week during the fourth year to maintain their clinical skills. The fifth year is a combination of medical school electives and completion of MPH courses and the Service Learning/Capstone Experience, which also counts toward college of medicine elective credit. A total of 45 credit hours is required for the MPH degree. The in-state tuition cost for the MPH is approximately $11,000 ($30,000 for out-of-state students).

Service Learning/Capstone Experience

The Capstone is a practicum experience designed to integrate community service with study and reflection. Each student develops a project that demonstrates the practical application of skills learned in the MPH program in addressing an important health problem or need. The capstone project is presented to faculty members and peers in both written and oral reports.

Concentration Areas

Students select one of the following areas of concentration:

Courses

All students take the following core courses (21 credit hours):

The remaining MPH requirements include:

Admissions

Students may apply to the MPH program before or after admission to medical school. Prospective students may apply concurrently to both programs and be notified of acceptance prior to entering medical school. A separate MPH application and letters of recommendation are required. Prior to entering the MPH program students must be in good standing in the College of Medicine and have successfully completed step 1 of the USMLE.

Contact Information

Information on the process for applying to the MD/MPH program is available at http://www.unmc.edu/mph/Application_Process_MD-MPH.pdf

For additional information or questions about the MPH program and the dual degree, go to the MPH web site at http://www.unmc.edu/mph/ or contact:

Jim Medder, MD, MPH
983075 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-3075
Email: jmedder@unmc.edu

Useful Links Regarding Careers in Public Health

AMSA MD/MPH Guide
http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Homepage/About/Committees/CEH/MDMPHGUIDE.aspx

What is Public Health?
http://www.whatispublichealth.org/