Would it be beneficial to pursue an MPH before MD?

[EmTilley]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm interested in Pub health and health policy but I want to get my MPH before I apply to med school (partly so that I can take the remainder of my premed undergrad courses at the same time as earning an MPH). Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? any advise is much appreciated!

 

[Skarl]

I have heard that it is not wise to pursue a MPH before a MD as you do not have sufficient clinical education/exposure as a provider to guide your MPH. For example, I have spoken with faculty mentors who stated that they or residents they know have obtained MPHs after residency as this allows tailoring the MPH degree to their specific research and clinical interests. You basically have more background knowledge than you would now to get more out of the MPH.

 

[907914]

I'm interested in Pub health and health policy but I want to get my MPH before I apply to med school (partly so that I can take the remainder of my premed undergrad courses at the same time as earning an MPH). Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? any advise is much appreciated!

It would not be beneficial for the application itself, however if you got the MPH and then worked in public health prior to applying then that would be beneficial. Overall, you would be looking at delaying your application by about four years at the minimum just to add that in there. If you want to do public health, then it might be beneficial just for your own personal career development and to have something to fall back on if you don’t get in. Personally however, I would likely wait until I could do a dual MD mph because the 4 year delay for a minimal application boost works out to about $1 million of lost income.