Medicine and Public Health
MD/MPH in Medicine and Public Health
The MD/MPH dual degree program at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health is designed for students who envision a medical career that incorporates public health and medicine. The MD/MPH program prepares physicians for academic careers or for practice in today’s health care environment. This flexible program combines traditional medical preparation with a concentration in one of the eight concentrations in the Master of Public Health degree program. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue programs of study and practice placements that allow the exploration of the multifaceted relationships between medicine and population-focused public health disciplines.
Coursework in the dual degree program is generally completed over a period of five years.
Degree Requirements
To earn both degrees, students must complete the required classroom and clinical coursework for the MD degree and the required 48 credit hours for the MPH.
For MD/MPH students the 48 credits for the MPH are fulfilled as follows:
- MD/MPH students earn 12 credits toward the MPH for completing designated courses required for their MD degree; an additional 4 credits are awarded for fulfilling a “practicum” requirement, which involves submission of a report based on clinical rotations in Family Medicine or Geriatrics. The cost for these 16 credits is covered by medical school tuition.
- The other 32 credits toward the MPH degree are as follows:
Approximately 16 credits for core courses as follows:
- Epidemiology*
- Biostatistics*
- Health Policy & Management
- Social & Behavioral Sciences
- Essentials of Public Health Law
- Introduction to Environmental Health*
An additional minimum 16 credits that fulfill the requirements for the area of concentration chosen by the student. Students must meet all concentration requirements, including the culminating experience and MPH practicum.
The cost for the MPH degree reflects the cost of these additional 32 credit hours in the School of Public Health. Students are advised to meet with personnel of the Medical Center’s Student Financial Management Office to discuss financing options.
All dual degree students must meet with the MD/MPH advisor in the School of Public Health (Dr. Wayne LaMorte) and their medical school advisor at the beginning of their program to develop a plan of study. In addition, students must meet with the MD/MPH advisor at least annually to monitor their progress through the program and to discuss career directions.
Students must earn at least a grade of Pass in all medical school courses and must maintain at least a grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in courses at the School of Public Health.
Eligibility
Admission to the dual degree program is contingent upon admission to both the School of Medicine (MED) and the School of Public Health (SPH).
Application
Students who wish to apply to the MD/MPH dual degree program should apply first to the Boston University School of Medicine and indicate interest in the MD/MPH program. (Indicating an interest in the MD/MPH program does not affect the likelihood of acceptance into the MD program.) Once accepted into the MD program, students then file an online application to the Boston University School of Public Health for the combined MD/MPH dual degree program via SOPHAS, www.sophas.org, the centralized application service for CEPH-accredited schools of public health.
Transcripts: Applicants are required to submit official transcripts directly to SOPHAS. Copies of transcripts can not be submitted directly to BUSPH.
Standardized Tests: Applicants must report their MCAT scores via the SOPHAS application. However, if official copies of the MCAT scores reside with your school, you may request that a copy of these scores be sent to BUSPH instead of requesting an official copy being sent to SOPHAS.
Letters of Reference: Dual degree candidates are required to submit three letters of reference, one of which must speak to their interest in public health. Applicants may request that copies of their letters of reference be sent from the BUSM Admissions Office directly to SOPHAS, or the applicant may submit three new letters of reference to SOPHAS. Applicants will need to list their recommenders in SOPHAS.
Questions regarding application to the BU School of Public Health or SOPHAS should be directed to Judith Hull, Assistant Dean of Admissions.
The application to the Boston University School of Public Health may be submitted any time after acceptance to BUSM until the end of the first year of medical school. However, interested students are encouraged to apply soon after they are accepted to BUSM. Interested students are encouraged to send questions about the program to Dr. Wayne LaMorte, director of the MD/MPH program. Once you are accepted to the dual degree program, you should make an appointment to meet with Dr. LaMorte in order to review program requirements and to map out a schedule of study for the combined programs.
For specific information or questions regarding the MD/MPH program, see the website or contact:
Wayne W. LaMorte, MD, PhD, MPH
Director, MD/MPH Program
Boston University Medical Center
715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Room 422 East
Boston, MA 02118
wlamorte@bu.edu
