Dvm + Mph?

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fargeese

VMRCVM Class of 2012
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  1. Veterinary Student
Hi, I was wondering if ya'll had an opinion on doing a dual DVM/MPH program. I got a mailing yesterday for a MPH program at MN which sounded interesting. I plan on doing LA clinical work but have an interest in public health as well, and figure I will go that way once I get tired of pulling calves at 3 am. My questions for you are:

1. Is the extra work/money to get the MPH going to be worth it in terms of improved career prospects in the public health sector?

2. Is it a lot of extra work? I know some of your DVM credits transfer but there are plenty left that you have to earn online/at May session. I plan to do well in vet school, but I do want to have time to sleep and eat occasionally.

3. Any other comments regarding a dual MPH, especially if you are in one.

Thanks for your help!
 
I have opted to wait to do my MPH until after vet school. Like my advisors keep telling me...the program will definitely still be there in a few years. I have several classmates that are working on the concurrent program. From talking to them I would say that its definitely tough. I've been told that if you have to or plan to work at all during vet school...don't try the MPH if you want any of that sleeping/eating stuff. If you're good at managing your time and getting things done...and doing them well as it sounds like you want to do...then you'd probably be fine. For me, there's other things I'd like to enjoy during vet school besides textbooks and projects.

Good luck! 🙂
 
I asked about the DVM/MPH program when I interviewed at Mich State... the interviewer told me that for the first 2 years, I would be doing my MPH classes on-line in the summer - with a 3 week trip to Univ of Minn each summer. Then, I would have to delay my clinicals in year 3 by a year so I could do my MPH project. The entire DVM/MPH program would take an additional year at Mich State.

I'm still very interested in the program but now I'm seriously considering doing the MPH after I get my DVM. I'd like to do clinicals and graduate with my DVM class and I'm not sure I really want to pay for an extra year of school at this point. of course, since I haven't been accepted at Mich State yet (just had my interview on Monday), this is idle consideration on my part! 😛
 
The way I see it is that I KNOW I want the DVM. I have a pretty good idea what I want to do with it in the end, but who knows what could change in the next 4 years while I'm at vet school. What if I start on the MPH while I'm working on my DVM and I realize that it's not really what I want to be doing? I just think that 4 years in a DVM program will help to solidify the direction that I want to go with the degree and I'm open to the idea that it may not be the same thing I put down in my application.
 
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