Can I apply MD while in my DrPH Program

[Cinnabon435]

I'm currently in my DrPH program and want to apply MD. This wasn't a spur of the moment decision, MD was always one of the goals.

There are not any formal MD/DrPH programs anywhere, but I want to complete both concurrently.

As for why I am doing this I have great interested in program intervention/practice, and public health leadership. However, I am also interested in clinical practice particularly adolescent and women's health.

Would MD programs think I'm insane or reject me for applying while still in my DrPH program? Is this even allowed?

Additional Info:

-The DrPH is very part time and online, will take anywhere from 4-9 years to complete. I take 1 class every quarter.

-I am fully funded

-it is not the rigor of a PhD program. You also need to have worked many years in public health for most DrPH programs.

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[lumya]

I’ve never heard of someone remaining in a different program while in medical school. All of the dual degrees are within the same institution. Does your DrPH school have a medical school?

Medical school takes up a lot of your energy and effort and if you got into medical school, they won’t give you any leniency or extensions especially if they’re separate programs. If your currently fully funded, are there restrictions to what you must do? I can’t imagine a doctorate program giving a living stipend only to have their students extend the program to get a different degree.

 

[Cinnabon435]

I’ve never heard of someone remaining in a different program while in medical school. All of the dual degrees are within the same institution. Does your DrPH school have a medical school?

Medical school takes up a lot of your energy and effort and if you got into medical school, they won’t give you any leniency or extensions especially if they’re separate programs. If your currently fully funded, are there restrictions to what you must do? I can’t imagine a doctorate program giving a living stipend only to have their students extend the program to get a different degree.

When I say fully funded I mean tuition is covered. I don't need a living stipend. My SPH also has a medical school, but it is not the only one I am applying to.

The program is orginaly for working professionals who have established experience in PH, because of this it is designed for semester long breaks/absences if necessary, since work is the priority.

My goal was to create my own MD/DrPH program per say since I cannot find one. I know some individuals get their DrPH during residency ,but I want to do it concurrently. I am very nontrad and will be in my late 30s after finishing medical school, but also I see the value of doing this degree with obtaining a medical education. I think medical schools only hit the surface of health disparities and public health. I also already have my MPH so I don't need MD/MPH programs.

 

[gyngyn]

There are not any formal MD/DrPH programs anywhere, but I want to complete both concurrently.

We do not permit simultaneous enrollment.

 

[LizzyM]

We do not permit simultaneous enrollment.

Concur. You'd be expected to complete the prior degree before moving on. Otherwise it is poaching, particularly when the school you are attending has invested in you by providing a stipend.

 

[Elite Medical Prep]

Hi OP. Most schools likely would not allow this. They would expect you to finish your other degree before matriculating. That being said, there may be exceptions to this or some schools may allow this on a case-by-case basis. But, you would have to reach out to schools to find out.

 

[Goro]

When I say fully funded I mean tuition is covered. I don't need a living stipend. My SPH also has a medical school, but it is not the only one I am applying to.

The program is orginaly for working professionals who have established experience in PH, because of this it is designed for semester long breaks/absences if necessary, since work is the priority.

My goal was to create my own MD/DrPH program per say since I cannot find one. I know some individuals get their DrPH during residency ,but I want to do it concurrently. I am very nontrad and will be in my late 30s after finishing medical school, but also I see the value of doing this degree with obtaining a medical education. I think medical schools only hit the surface of health disparities and public health. I also already have my MPH so I don't need MD/MPH programs.

Not going to happen

 

[MDwhatitis]

I'm currently in my DrPH program and want to apply MD. This wasn't a spur of the moment decision, MD was always one of the goals.

There are not any formal MD/DrPH programs anywhere, but I want to complete both concurrently.

As for why I am doing this I have great interested in program intervention/practice, and public health leadership. However, I am also interested in clinical practice particularly adolescent and women's health.

Would MD programs think I'm insane or reject me for applying while still in my DrPH program? Is this even allowed?

Additional Info:

-The DrPH is very part time and online, will take anywhere from 4-9 years to complete. I take 1 class every quarter.

-I am fully funded

-it is not the rigor of a PhD program. You also need to have worked many years in public health for most DrPH programs.

Just following up to see if you got into an MD program. Currently in a DrPH program myself and always wanted to apply to med school. I worry that med schools will not look favorably on someone with my experience in public health and law and consider it moving around (career wise) too much. So please let me know, did it workout for you?

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

The main issue you will face is PERSUADING medical schools that you want to practice medicine as an MD. All programs will look for sacrifice and evidence that the candidate wants to dedicate their lives to practicing medicine. If you complete and application and have a stipulation that you will want to be concurrently enrolled in a program not present at the medical school you are applying to, they will see this as a hindrance to your medical education and that you are not ready to dedicate yourself entirely to the MD curriculum. Dual degree programs are exclusively at the same school, you will not find a program that has a MD/PhD, MD/JD, or MD/MPH where the second degree is earned at a different institution. This is because the curricula is often interwoven so that the MD and secondary degree material complement each other. The reason an MD/MPH degree exists and a MD/DrPH does not is because there is not a well defined job market where the extra education involved in getting the doctorate versus an MPH is more advantageous in conjunction with the MD.

It seems that for the highest chance of success, you ought to finish your DrPH program and then apply to medical school, or apply to medical school and say you are ready to switch careers and practice medicine rather than focus primarily on public health.

 

[chilly_md]

Just following up to see if you got into an MD program. Currently in a DrPH program myself and always wanted to apply to med school. I worry that med schools will not look favorably on someone with my experience in public health and law and consider it moving around (career wise) too much. So please let me know, did it workout for you?

Please do not post in old, inactive threads. The OP has not posted anything on this site since their message in 2022.

Closing.