Mount Mary College, MCW sign agreement for dual degree program

Undergraduate and Master of Public Health degrees obtained in 5 years

July 18, 2012 College News - Mount Mary College and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) have signed a collaborative agreement to provide a dual degree program that includes a four-year baccalaureate degree from Mount Mary and a one-year Master of Public Health degree from MCW.  It is the first 4:1 program of its kind to be offered by the two institutions and will be jointly administered.

Mount Mary students in their junior year may apply to MCW’s Master of Public Health Program beginning the spring of 2013. Admission requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.3 and completion of 96 undergraduate credits that include coursework in biology, behavioral science, statistics and advanced composition. Upon acceptance, Mount Mary students will enroll in up to five MCW Master of Public Health courses (15 credits) during their senior year. After obtaining a baccalaureate degree from Mount Mary, students will continue as graduate students in MCW’s Master of Public Health program. The agreement waives the Graduate Record Exam and application fees.

According to Mount Mary President Eileen Schwalbach, PhD, the dual degree program was created to prepare graduates for professions in a rapidly changing health care environment. The 4:1 model also facilitates the completion of a graduate degree in an affordable and efficient manner for academically strong and motivated students.

“The Medical College of Wisconsin is a recognized leader in educating health care professionals,” stated Dr. Eileen Schwalbach. “The dual degree program will allow our students to continue their Mount Mary education with seamless access to a Master of Public Health degree and the full spectrum of MCW offerings,” she added.

“This new dual degree program provides bright, motivated students the opportunity to jumpstart their graduate work in the health sciences in a way that is economical and smart,” said John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, MCW President and CEO. “We’re pleased to be working with Mount Mary College, who is a strong academic partner for MCW.”

Mount Mary offers more than 30 undergraduate majors including several programs in health and behavioral sciences. The Medical College of Wisconsin has been offering the Master of Public Health program since 1991. The mission of MCW’s Master of Public Health Program is to prepare and develop a competent, professional, and diverse public health workforce through community-academic partnerships in education, research, and service to enhance the health of the public.

Additional information on the dual program can be found at http://www.mtmary.edu/academics.htm or by contacting Wendy McCredie, PhD, Mount Mary’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 414-258-4810, ext. 608, or mccrediw@mtmary.edu. Information on the Master of Public Health program at MCW can be found at www.mcw.edu/mphprogram.htm or by contacting mph@mcw.edu or 414-955-4510.