4-year MD/MPH Programs

[SanDiegoSOD]

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Hi everyone,
I'm a senior undergraduate that will be applying to medical school in June. I am very interested in combined MD/MPH programs, and I am curious about four-year programs. Not to get ahead of myself, but do four year programs force students to forgoe any or all optional clerkships? If so, what do you current medical students think about that? Would you rather do a five-year program so you could have more flexibility in choosing rotations? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dr Who]

Hi everyone,
I'm a senior undergraduate that will be applying to medical school in June. I am very interested in combined MD/MPH programs, and I am curious about four-year programs. Not to get ahead of myself, but do four year programs force students to forgoe any or all optional clerkships? If so, what do you current medical students think about that? Would you rather do a five-year program so you could have more flexibility in choosing rotations? Thanks in advance.

I would do a five year program. In my case I graduate with a MPH Epidemiology in June and start med school in august, and I dont regret it one bit. Med school is hard enough as it is without you putting yourself through any more complications. By doing the MPH first I can concentrate all my energies on finishing that degree and then go on to med school and concentrate on doing my best there. Sometimes the best thing is to take things one step at a time.

 

[xanthines]

Try Duke. The way they have their curriculum set up, almost everybody is in some kind of dual-degree program.

-X

Hi everyone,
I'm a senior undergraduate that will be applying to medical school in June. I am very interested in combined MD/MPH programs, and I am curious about four-year programs. Not to get ahead of myself, but do four year programs force students to forgoe any or all optional clerkships? If so, what do you current medical students think about that? Would you rather do a five-year program so you could have more flexibility in choosing rotations? Thanks in advance.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Try Duke. The way they have their curriculum set up, almost everybody is in some kind of dual-degree program.

-X

Thanks for the advice - I have been looking at Duke. Duke is certainly one of my top choices, but that 3.7% acceptance rate might make it a bit tough, even for top applicants.

 

[Samoa]

Tulane's program only uses up one elective rotation in 3rd & 4th year. But it does take up the majority of your electives 1st & 2nd year, as well as one summer either before or after 1st year. About 1/4 to 1/3 of my class is in the dual degree program.

 

[irlandesa]

Tufts has a 4-yr MD/MPH program; I was in it but withdrew b/c I didn't care for the 4 extra hours of lecture every week with little practical experience during the first 2 years, plus I felt I didn't fit in with the other students in the program (at least those who are graduating with me), many who are quite pretentious and self-righteous. I have never regretted my decision to leave, and do feel that I have had more flexibility during the clinical years (which in turn contributed to 2 of the awesome letters of rec. I got, which helped me a LOT with residency apps, even though I am a VERY average applicant I got interviews nearly everywhere I applied). That said, most of the faculty in the program are very kind, supportive, and politically/socially aware. If you don't mind having some (I believe 3-4 months) of your clinical elective time taken up (granted, worthy projects), and have a thick skin for being around people who are doing the program just to build up their resume, then it is a great opportunity. feel free to PM me for more info, and good luck in the application process.

 

[babyruth]

I am doing a combined DO/MHA program, which our school also offers MPH as well. They arrange it so that you have some evening classes/weekend classes and can finish within 1-2 years while you go through med school. The benefits I reap is that I get six credit hours decreased from the degree because of the two program overlaps, my internship crosslists with my clinical rotations, and it is half price for dual-degreers. I know people who do DO/MPH/MHA but I won't be staying in the area long enough to complete the triple degree. I would say that they are pretty laid back and I don't have too hard of a time completing it. But you would also have to be interested in osteopathic medicine as well. I am almost finished so if you have any questions, just let me know...

 

[Habari]

if you attend any medical school in the nyc area, you can apply for the 'macy's scholarship' - which is to do a 1 year mph at columbia's mailman school of public health. tuition is taken care of and there might be a stipend. one enters the program after the 3rd year, and can specialize in any of the 6 or so sub-specialties that columbia offers - it is a coursework, not thesis degree, but nevertheless an mph. the application process is competitive, but not terribly difficult if one has some experience/background in public health.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Thanks everyone, this has all been very helpful.

To babyruth: Is the MHA (which I assume is a Masters of Health Administration) similar to an MBA? And how long does it take to complete the triple degree program?

To Habari: Thanks for the info on the Macys scholarship. For those interested, the website is http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu/hpm/macy.html

 

[k4345]

habari--do you know if the macy scholarship is limited to nyc students, or if they are given preference but others can apply also?

thanks!

 

[Habari]

habari--do you know if the macy scholarship is limited to nyc students, or if they are given preference but others can apply also?

i'm pretty sure it is only for nyc medical students - i think that includes sophie davis and other perhaps nymc, but i'm not sure. it wouldn't hurt to email the program to find out if you're interested.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Anyone else with thoughts on MD/MPH programs?

 

[blump]

Anyone else with thoughts on MD/MPH programs?

i hear that northwestern's program is 4 years and very good

 

[babyruth]

Thanks everyone, this has all been very helpful.

To babyruth: Is the MHA (which I assume is a Masters of Health Administration) similar to an MBA? And how long does it take to complete the triple degree program?

To Habari: Thanks for the info on the Macys scholarship. For those interested, the website is http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu/hpm/macy.html

The Triple degree depends upon how much work load you want to take on during your first two didactic years/last two clinical years. Most of my classmates take roughly 3-4 years part-time load, while doing the medical degree simultaneously. This means that you would be better off doing your clinical rotations in Des Moines where we are located.

 

[babyruth]

The MHA degreee is very similar to an MBA but a more narrowed view of business. We still take the classes you might see in an MBA like management, finance, marketing, etc, but these classes are taught by health care administrators; so basically, these classes have a helath care spin to them since business within health care is very unique compared to other industries. I took the degree because I didn't have a clue how health care worked and wanted to be able be understand all of the financial/legal/administration jargon that all doctors will be exposed to.