How Do You Do It? : Joint-Degree Courseload

[newbie04]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am curious how those that have been down the road of a joint-degree program found time for med school classes and public health courses (at night in my case).

 

[newbie04]

Any dual degree perspectives?

 

[lilmo]

Are you in a 4-year combined degree program? I know several students who worked on their MPH through medical school and managed to get both degrees without taking extra time. Personally, I cannot fathom how they managed to do both - at least not do both well.

I'm in the 5-year program. I worked on my MD for two years, am taking a year to complete the entire MPH courseload (36 hours, so 2-semesters and a summer), and then will hit the clinics next year. If you have the option I would totally recommend this route. I think it would be too hard to do both without suffering.

 

[newbie04]

Thanks lilmo. My program is actually a 5 year program where the MPH is intermixed with the medical school curriculum over 2 years. It starts this summer with one course (before MS2).

I am not sure if it is worth it to do it now, or if I should pursue the MPH after I graduate at some point.

Any other dual-degree students?

 

[anonymousEM]

I am done with med school and residency and now working on MPH, so it's a different situation. First year was the worst of med school. MPH classes are much more like undergrad...some are tough, some have a ton of busywork, and some lots of papers...but nothing like first year of med school. You can do it, just a matter of budgeting your time.