Dual Degree

MS/MPH (Nursing): The MS/MPH dual degree program prepares nurses for professional roles as educators, administrators, and advanced practice nurses in the field of public health. This degree is designed for nurses who seek graduate education in public health practice competencies in an interdisciplinary environment along with advanced practice nursing education knowledge and skills. Graduates of this program are prepared for continued doctoral study in nursing, public health, or related academic fields. At a minimum, the nursing dual degree program (nurse educator role) requires the completion of 61 total credit hours and can be completed in six semesters of full-time course work. A maximum of 18 credits may overlap between programs. Students completing other advanced practice nursing roles (e.g., nurse practitioner) may require additional credits/time for completion. Students entering the MS/MPH dual degree take courses which meet the requirements for each degree throughout the duration of their program.

 

MD/MPH (Medicine): The MD/MPH dual degree provides additional skills and knowledge in the increasingly vital field of Public Health for physicians in training. The dual degree increases career options for physicians to work in public health venues, such as community, state, national and international public health organizations and performing clinical research, as well as giving MPH-only students a medical perspective. Medical students seeking to expand their public health perspective by viewing patients in the context of their environment and how that environment impacts problems and illness benefit from this program. Students typically complete the first three years of the medical school curriculum before entering the MPH program for an accelerated one year curriculum. Students then return to medical school for the completion of their MD requirements and any needed public health electives. A minimum of five years of study is necessary for the completion of the MD/MPH and allows for an overlap of 11 credits between the two programs.

 

DVM/MPH (Veterinary Medicine): The DVM/MPH dual degree program creates a multidisciplinary educational environment that broadly prepares veterinarians to meet the 21^st century challenges in public health. The DVM/MPH dual degree will also provide a foundation from which these public health professionals can pursue advanced public health training, such as the EIS Program or doctoral level (PhD or DrPH) public/population health research training. Similar to the MD/MPH dual degree, veterinary medicine students generally complete the first two years of their veterinary medicine curriculum before entering the MPH program. Students complete the core requirements of the MPH program, electives and their field experience over the course of three semesters, before returning to their original track of study. The dual degree program allows students to complete both the DVM and MPH degrees in a 5 year period of time and allows for an overlap of 8 credits between the two programs.

 

MPA/MPH (Public Affairs): The MPA/MPH dual degree prepares health policy professionals for their roles as policy analysts and public managers in the increasingly important area of health care. Students in this dual degree gain skills in public health policy and management necessary to address complex health issues in the field. Students in the MPA/MPH dual degree generally complete the majority of requirements for public affairs before entering the core MPH curriculum. Students can complete this 55 credit program in two years (including the summer sessions) by applying 12 credits of public affairs courses toward the MPH degree requirements. 

 

PharmD/MPH (Pharmacy): Students in the dual PharmD/MPH degree gain comprehensive expertise and experience in pharmacy-related public health areas that are essential to the continued definition and development of perspectives, programs and services in this arena. This program prepares future pharmacists to take an active role in promoting public health in their communities. The PharmD/MPH dual degree is a five-year program that requires completion of all PharmD requirements and all MPH requirements. A total of 12 credits overlap between programs (i.e., count toward completion of both degrees). 

 

DPT/MPH (Physical Therapy): The DPT/MPH joint degree program is designed for physical therapists who seek graduate education in public health practice competencies in an interdisciplinary environment. The DPT/MPH joint degree can be completed in four years, with the first three years spent completing the requirements for the DPT degree while taking coursework that has the potential to count towards the MPH degree should the student decide to apply and be admitted. Upon completion of the DPT requirements an additional year is necessary to finish the remaining courses for the MPH degree. A maximum of 15 credits may overlap between programs.