MD/MPH Combined Degree Program

The University of Iowa, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health

Objective

This program is intended to provide students who are pursuing the MD an opportunity to complete the professional degree in public health to expand career opportunities and permit interested professionals to apply the principles of both medicine and public health for the betterment of mankind. Students completing the MD/MPH select an area of public health focus, often in community and behavioral health. Objectives for the MPH aspect of this dual degree are the same as those in the subtracks and focus areas presented in this web site.

Prerequisite

To be a candidate for this combined degree the applicant must be accepted into the MD program as a condition of acceptance into the combined degree. This may occur concurrently but the condition of acceptance into the MD must be made before final acceptance into the MPH program. The admission committees of the two colleges will independently review the candidate for acceptance into the combined degree. For information on admission to the MD program, please see http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/osac/admissions/.

MPH Core Courses (18 s.h.)

The following courses are required of students in the MPH program. Students are expected to earn ≥ B- (2.67) on each core course and must earn a ≥ B (3.0) cumulative grade point average on all core courses. When necessary, a student may repeat a course to achieve this standard.

Capstone/Practicum Requirement (3 s.h.)

The experience from this course, including a final written report and oral or poster presentation constitute the final examination for the MPH.

Pre-Requisite:

Students should complete all Core Courses prior to registering for the Practicum. In special circumstances, students may request to take a Core Course concurrently with the Practicum.

For additional information, regarding the practicum experience, please visit the official practicum website.

Required Courses (21 s.h.)

College of Medicine Focus Courses (12 s.h.)

Twelve hours of coursework from the M.D. curriculum also count as credit toward the M.P.H.

College of Public Health Focus Courses(9 s.h.)

Nine hours of coursework must be selected from the College of Public Health curriculum.  Coursework must provide knowledge for population-based applications.

View the suggested MD/MPH Combined Degree Program of Study

Frequently asked Questions

Q. Do I need to take both the GRE & MCAT?
A. No.  Your MCAT scores are acceptable.

Q. What happens if I don't get admitted into the MD program? Can I still begin the MPH?
A. You could apply to the MPH program and consider a reapplication for admission to the MD program.

Q. What tuition fees would I pay?
A. You would pay medical fee rates during all times except during the MPH year, when Graduate student rates are in effect.

Q. Can I begin in MPH classes prior to the start of my M1 year?
A. Perhaps.  Contact the MPH program with specific information for a more clear answer!

Q. Do I really need to complete two application forms?
A. Yes. These are two distinct colleges and educational systems requiring different data to make an admission decision, and separate systems to operate. 

Q. Do I get the MPH degree as soon as I complete the course work?
A. No, both degrees must be conferred in the same semester.

Q. Do I get one or two degrees?
A. Two separate degrees will be conferred.

Q. Who is the College of Medicine contact for the MD/MPH degree?

A. Jean Lantz

     Office of Student Affairs and Curriculum

     Carver College of Medicine

     319-335-8046

     jean-lantz@uiowa.edu