Dvm/mph

[VUprevetbubsy]

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Hi all, I'm new to the SDN and blogging in general...
But this is a great way to avoid studying for tomorrows Cell Bio exam 🙂

I am leaning towards a combined DVM/MPH degree. While I plan on eventually doing more practice than public health, I am currently enrolled in Air Force ROTC. The Air Force employs vets as PH officers, and the combined degree could really benefit my AF career. Plus, its only one more year of school, and could open up some amazing career opportunities post-AF life.

Just wondering if anyone out there has done it, what did you think? Was it worth the extra work?

 

[No Imagination]

I seriously considered an MPH degree initially. I was VERY surprised exactly what an MPH degree (and the research surrounding it) entailed. I envisioned a lot of microbiology and virology (perhaps Hollywood's influence).

MPH's, from what I have gathered, are more mathematical model based. While not inherently bad, it was much different then I thought. Instead of wet work (which I love), the research was more about surveys and number crunching.

Just a heads up if you pursue that line. Vet/MPH work may be different, but I didn't see it.

 

[Meggie1985]

Hi there!
I'm currently working on my MPH degree at the Ohio State University, specializing in Veterinary Public Health (http://vet.osu.edu/vetpublichealth.htm). I can't say whether or not it has been worth it yet, but it will certainly give me an edge as far as getting into veterinary school AND in my career search afterwards. I'm interested in the Army scholarships available to veterinary students, and knew that an MPH degree would be very beneficial for that type of work.

No Imagination is right in some respects, but it definitely depends on your specialization. In veterinary public health, our classes focus quite a lot on zoonotic disease/biosecurity/food microbiology/etc. We do however have to take core MPH classes concerning health policy, health behavior and intervention, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, etc.

If you're interested in veterinary medicine, I would suggest a program like Ohio State's (that has a specialization pertaining to veterinary medicine). I have nothing but good things to say about the program so far!

Hope your exam went well! 🙂

 

[cozycleo]

I'm at least 2 years away from applying, but I'm highly considering a DVM/MPH as well. I have an interest in diseases and outbreak control. I have heard good things about Minnesota's program. I'm investigating other schools as well.

 

[LadyHitokiri]

Getting a DVM and MPH in only five years is definitely worth it! I hope to enter into that dual degree program at Illinois or Iowa, but there are many other schools with DVM/MPH programs as well. Not all of them are affiliated with an accredited school of public health, though, if you care about that sort of thing (only 6 are). Having an MPH will definitely open up more doors for you in your veterinary career, since zoonotic diseases and the implications for human safety in that sense are ever-rising.

I don't know anyone in the AF but I do know of a US Corps officer who got a DVM/MPH and now she works for the IL Department of Public Health as a public health veterinarian. Even if you choose not to work in public health specifically (with disease research, disease surveillance, etc.), having an MPH would give you a better perspective of how humans, animals, and the environment are connected.

So, I would say YES, consider getting a DVM/MPH. 🙂 Plus, you shouldn't be too concerned about the extra cost of tuition, if you are. Having an extra degree will make you more competitive and you'll most likely have a higher salary as a result, but it does depend on the work that you end up doing.

 

[VUprevetbubsy]

Thanks for all of the advice. 2 more questions:

1) Are MPH degrees offered online? Could I do an MPH while working in the AF through online or distance learning courses?

2) My undergrad U offers a math course entitled math modeling of infectious diseases. Has anyone taken something that sounds similar to that? Was it beneficial. The title sounds pretty pertinent to an MPH, but if anyone has more info on the subject I would appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[fargeese]

Is is not necessarily an extra year if you are in vet school. I am doing the Minnesota program, and get to use a bunch of my vet school credits towards the degree. I should actually be done with my masters before I graduate vet school, I took 13 credits this summer before school started. If you google it I am sure you can get info on the program. You just have to be accepted to an accredited vet school to do the program.