MPH during med school

[AZCOM2010]

Has anyone here ever attempted to start and complete an MPH during med school? I'm about to begin my 2nd year in August, but I'm very interested in possibly doing an online MPH as I work on my medical degree. (I'm not getting it simply to pad my resume or anything like that- I sincerely have a desire to work in international public health.)

I'm just wondering if it's possible with board exams, then rotations, and so on, and if anyone's ever attempted it. I feel like I could pull it off, but I'm also worried about not having ANY free time. How difficult of a degree is it? Any feedback is appreciated.

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[bjackrian]

I know several people at my school who have. I think our school is fairly typical in that MD/MPH students take an extra year to complete the second degree (so it's a total of five years). Here, I believe you can start anytime up to the end of your 3rd year (they just vary when you take your non-clinical, MPH year).

 

[njbmd]

Moving to the MPH Forum. MD/MPH candidates post here and answer questions about their programs.

 

[Dr. Dukes]

My school has a combined MD MPH program that takes the normal four years. MPH classes take place (I believe, I'm not doing it) from ~4:30pm - 9:30pm during the first and second year, and then you're done, I think.

 

[AZCOM2010]

I really wish this post could have stayed in the MD forum- probably would've gotten better feedback... anyway...

Here's the deal- I can't begin a combined MD/MPH program because I'm ALREADY IN med school. I just finished my first year, and it's not feasible to switch schools just for this (my school doesn't have an MPH program). I was wondering if anyone has BEGUN an MPH after already being in medical school. Obviously, I'd have to do it online. I was wondering how intensive that would be and if it's feasible during 2-4 years of med school at the same time I'm taking med school classes and doing rotations.

 

[namazu]

I really wish this post could have stayed in the MD forum- probably would've gotten better feedback... anyway...

Here's the deal- I can't begin a combined MD/MPH program because I'm ALREADY IN med school. I just finished my first year, and it's not feasible to switch schools just for this (my school doesn't have an MPH program). I was wondering if anyone has BEGUN an MPH after already being in medical school. Obviously, I'd have to do it online. I was wondering how intensive that would be and if it's feasible during 2-4 years of med school at the same time I'm taking med school classes and doing rotations.

Way to knock the MPH board!

Yes, people who are not in official MD/MPH programs do complete MPH degrees during med school. Many take a year off (e.g. between years 2 and 3) to do so. Others do as you suggested, and complete the MPH online, though that might be fairly intense on top of med school, in addition to the basic self-discipline-in-the-absence-of-external-feedback that online programs demand. Alternatively, there are preventive medicine (and other) residency or fellowship programs that will allow you to do MPH studies as part of the process.