is it wise to do an MPH and a post bacc??

[nubianneprinces]

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hi everyone, im relatively new here and this site has been very helpful. Ive read all the MPH vs MS thread but i still have a few questions. Here's my story, im currently a senior in college however i did 2 years of electrical engineering(with an intention of doing biomedical eng. in grad school) and then decided i wanted to become a doctor. i then switched to a bio major and a psych minor. My gpa from my first 2 yrs as an engineer are very average. Lately ive become interested in doing a masters in public health because i would like to get the BIG picture of healthcare (either toxicology or internatonal health) before applying to med school. Anyway i have not taken the MCATS yet and plan on taking them after grad skool. ill take the GREs for now instead. My question is, has anyone in here done an MPH and a post bacc at the same time? Or can i do an MPH and take undergrad classes at the same time to finish my prerequisites. is there such a thing as a joint MS and MPH program? Sorry for all the questions but i really need some help here. And finally, im not just using the MPH program as a fall back on med skool, i actually find it very interesting and i think it will help me find out "why i want to help people". ALL Help will be mucho appreciated 😀

 

[nubianneprinces]

another option would be to stay in undergrad for 2 more yrs, finish up all the requirements and then apply. But i figured if im going to spend extra time at an institution, i might as well do it at a graduate school.

 

[Peace&Health]

Hi Nubian Princess,

I'm currently in my 2nd year of my MPH. You will not have time to do your post-bac and MPH requirement classes, unless you plan on graduating in more than two years.

I'm applying this year and working on my thesis in addition to coursework and work. It's VERY busy. Personally, I don't think you will get as much out of the MPH program to try and do both.

FYI, I did a year of post-bac then started my MPH. There are programs to do your MS and MPH, but it will probably be additional classes on top of some premed requirements. If time is not an issue, then you can do it. It may take 3 years. If you'd like to get into med school soon, I'd recommend doing the post-bac and doing well, then doing the MD/MPH or DO/MPH program if you are really interested in public health. Or doing your post-bac first, take the MCAT, then do your MPH--this is what I did. You want to set yourself up for success.

Well, hope this helps.