Mph without an MD

[luke77]

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Hey guys,
Are any of you planning on getting just an MPH or doctorate in public health and no MD? If so, what kind of job are you thinking about getting after school? Are the career prospects significantly limited for someone with just an MPH, say, for someone who wants to work at a place like the CDC without practicing?

 

[ben_loper]

Hey guys,
Are any of you planning on getting just an MPH or doctorate in public health and no MD? If so, what kind of job are you thinking about getting after school? Are the career prospects significantly limited for someone with just an MPH, say, for someone who wants to work at a place like the CDC without practicing?

I'm not an expert in the subject, but I think a PhD. will get you to the CDC, even without an MD. As for MPH alone, I would imagine it being pretty good for a myriad of things, such as: springboard to further graduate study, consulting, health related management, countless federal jobs at health agencies (division of public health, public safety, transportation, education, health and human services), hospitals, nursing homes, military.

 

[Ariel22]

I agree with Ben. You can definitely find many opportunities to work in CDC if you graduate with MPH degree. I am finishing up my 2nd year with a concentration in Epidemiology and many of my professors have worked for CDC and they advised us students that if you want to get a job at CDC, even doing internships during summer will increase your chances further in getting a job there.

That said, you can find jobs in the hospitals (hospital epidemiology--thats what I am currently doing part-time), NIH, WHO, CDC, local and state health depts, either do PhD in epi or basic science--the possibilities are endless. An M.D is not necessary but if you want to pursue further, you can always do PhD. I think PhD will open many more opportunites--combined with MPH.

Basically what Ben_loper said🙂

I'm not an expert in the subject, but I think a PhD. will get you to the CDC, even without an MD. As for MPH alone, I would imagine it being pretty good for a myriad of things, such as: springboard to further graduate study, consulting, health related management, countless federal jobs at health agencies (division of public health, public safety, transportation, education, health and human services), hospitals, nursing homes, military.

 

[Jack Daniel]

Hey guys,
Are any of you planning on getting just an MPH or doctorate in public health and no MD? If so, what kind of job are you thinking about getting after school? Are the career prospects significantly limited for someone with just an MPH, say, for someone who wants to work at a place like the CDC without practicing?

I have an MPH and have been working in public health at the state level for the last several years. I think that an MPH isn't limiting--there are good opportunities for an MPH-trained person--but they are definitely within a different scope than an MPH with clinical training. Where I work, generally, MPH folks work as project managers or manage a specific database/registry. Folks with MPH and MD work as program directors and/or do clinical investigations for infectious or chronic disease. Personally, if I stay in public health, I'd rather have the clinical training, too--but I have many colleagues who are very satisfied with their MPH alone and would never choose to sacrifice the time to earn an MD.

Regarding the CDC, the folks I most often work with are EIS officers (epidemic intelligence service) and they have MD/PhD/DVM, etc. These are the folks doing the disease investigations, etc.

 

[Ariel22]

Regarding EIS program, we have professors who were former EIS officers and they have said--along with current EIS officers--that a doctoral degree is highly recommended including public health experience to make yourself a competitive candidate for that program.

Regarding the CDC, the folks I most often work with are EIS officers (epidemic intelligence service) and they have MD/PhD/DVM, etc. These are the folks doing the disease investigations, etc.

 

[publichealth06]

I asked this question when I went to visit public health schools last week. At Columbia, they basically said people with an MPH alone can help carry out and shape the design of projects; however, those with an MD or PhD can actually shape entire policies and have more of a voice when it comes to decision making. Of course this all totally depends on what previous experience you've had, what your connections, are etc.

I think that ultimately I'm going to want to do more than carry out programs and evaluate programs; I want to be the one who actually shapes the programs and changes the policies. So I'm trying to decide if I'll get a PhD or an MD after my MPH.

 

[luke77]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

 

[samisab786]

I have a list of career options, so I put MPH on my list. If I were to go into pharmacy or medicine, I would like to get an MPH done as well, however I was wondering if many people get an MPH with another masters? For example, I was thinking about the option of an MA in journalism and an MPH. Although I really do like medicine, I know getting into medicine/medical school would be a huge commitment, which may basically take the place of my other interests/hobbies. I really like journalism (broadcast journalism) but love science/medicine as well. I know I could possibly think about medical journalism, but I like talking about current events (minus politics) too, so I was thinking about the MA/MPH option if not MD/MPH or PharmD/MPH.

 

[xscpx]

What about a PhD in medical anthropology with an MPH? Will that limit my job prospects? Should I do a PhD in Epi instead for practicality?

 

[samisab786]

What about a PhD in medical anthropology with an MPH? Will that limit my job prospects? Should I do a PhD in Epi instead for practicality?

Ooh medical anthropology sounds interesting. What does it entail? I just recently found out about it.

 

[DrJosephKim]

I know several people who have extremely successful careers as medical writers. They have an MPH and no MD, PhD, or PharmD.

If you enjoy writing, then it may be something worth considering.

 

[Music333]

I know several people who have extremely successful careers as medical writers. They have an MPH and no MD, PhD, or PharmD.

If you enjoy writing, then it may be something worth considering.

That's actually something I've been considering! Did these people have a common track in MPH, or does it not matter?