M.B.A./M.D. Programs

[WestCoastNative]

Generally speaking, how long are these programs? Usually M.D. is 4 years, and an M.B.A. is 2 years. Are there any schools that let you do them both in 4-5 years? When applying to medical school, and still willing to go even if you don't get accepted into the dual M.D./M.B.A. program, do you apply twice? Once for the dual program, and once for just the M.D. program? How helpful is an M.B.A. in the medical field? If an opportunity to learn how to establish and run your private practice comes up, than I feel like it'd be a good idea to take it.

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[Law2Doc]

... How helpful is an M.B.A. in the medical field? If an opportunity to learn how to establish and run your private practice comes up, than I feel like it'd be a good idea to take it.

An MBA isn't where you learn "how to establish and run" a practice -- if this is your goal don't bother. It's a much more esoteric, less practical, education, where you likely study management, operations, finance, accounting or marketing in a more global, big business, sense and not as it might apply in a 10-20 person private practice. Usually people do an MBA with a specific (hopital) administrative job goal. To be a hospital administrator perhaps it has some value and is expected. But if you anticipate being a practicing clinician, though, this degree really isn't the right path or a good use of your time. You are better off reading a book on practice management and hiring a good accountant or lawyer.

Most of the time dual degrees are just ways for schools to separate suckers from their money. The percent of people actually using their second degree after graduation is pretty nominal. I'd only recommend it if you have a very specific career goal that requires it, and those are, honestly, few and far between.

 

[Sassafrass23]

Generally speaking, how long are these programs? Usually M.D. is 4 years, and an M.B.A. is 2 years. Are there any schools that let you do them both in 4-5 years? When applying to medical school, and still willing to go even if you don't get accepted into the dual M.D./M.B.A. program, do you apply twice? Once for the dual program, and once for just the M.D. program? How helpful is an M.B.A. in the medical field? If an opportunity to learn how to establish and run your private practice comes up, than I feel like it'd be a good idea to take it.

Texas Tech Lubbock has a dual program that you complete in 4 years. However, you study more about health policy than how to run/manage a practice.

 

[darkjedi]

Most schools with dual degree programs will let you get an MD/MBA within 5 years.

Agreed with what the above poster said about MBAs. There is actually only a very limited amount of practical stuff you learn. The biggest reasons for getting an MBA is for making connections/networking within the school, and having the letters MBA next to your name. For this reason, it is only really worth it to get an MBA from a top 10 school, anywhere else will provide relatively limited career payoff potential.

It is usually better to apply for the MD program first and then the MBA program while you are in med school. Many top 10's actually like med students and future physicians, so if you are in a decent school, with decent experiences, you would have a decent chance at getting into one if your MD school is not already attached to one.