MD-MPH together or separately?

[krevelli]

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Hey, was kind of wondering about the combined MD-MPH programs many schools have. Do they intend for people to read the two together (ie. do their Master's in PH WHILE being in med school) or take a year (or semester?) off to do the MPH and then go back to med school? Is it possible to do both together? How long does the MPH usually take, a semester or a year?

Thanks! K.

 

[PublicHealth]

MPH usually takes 1.5 to 2 years if done separately from the MD. Most MD/MPH programs will allow you to complete both degrees in 4 years. However, many students take a year off, usually between years 2 and 3, to complete the MPH.

Harvard has an MPH program that take 9 months to complete.

 

[Zweihander]

I'm doing mine in four years, alongside the MD. In some schools though, the MPH aspect doesn't begin until after your fourth year, and then it's usually an additional year, for five total.

 

[Adcadet]

at my school (U of MN) the MD/MPH program usually has people do some MPH work during years 1 and 2, then take a full year off between MS2 and MS3 to finish the MPH.

From what I've seen, there is definitely a difference between doing a "quick" MPH and "slow" MPH - some concepts take time to fully appreciate and gain experience with.

 

[charlatangirl]

i did mine before med school. took two years. we had a ton of professionals in the school - UIC is the only accredited MPH school in the state of Illinois - and they took one year.

if you take one year as part of a combined program you can usually get out of 400-level courses like basic biostats and epidemiology. however, these courses, if taught correctly, are INTERESTING! so if your intellectual curiosity is getting the best of you, do the two year program. besides which it's a nice break.

if you do a one-year program you might also be able to get out of your field work.