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Medical Doctor/Master of Public Health Dual Degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin

At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), the core of everything we do is academic medicine, which brings together scientists, physicians, students and community members to solve challenges in health and society. If you’re an MCW-Milwaukee medical student with an interest in advancing the health of the public, the MD/MPH dual degree program was created just for you.

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Integrate your medical career with public health activities to address social determinants of health.

Our MD/MPH dual degree program, available at the MCW-Milwaukee campus, advances the MCW mission in educational innovation and transformation in community engagement, providing you as a medical student with a much greater understanding of health issues and better tools in preventing human disease.

download the MD/MPH flyer (PDF)

Please note: This program is currently on hold as it is being modified due to the new MCWfusion Curriculum

Continue to check back for further details.
Learn more about the MCWfusion Curriculum

Apply

Apply to MCW Medical School

Apply to MCW Medical School

If you’re interested in obtaining a MD/MPH degree, you must first apply to MCW’s Medical School, and matriculate. The next step is to apply to the MCW MPH program.
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Apply to the MPH Program

Apply to the MPH Program

After becoming a MCW medical student, you will be eligible to apply to the School of Graduate Studies during the spring of your M1 year. This process will officially begin your career as a MD/MPH student.
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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the MD/MPH Dual Degree
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Why pursue an MD/MPH?
According to the Institute of Medicine, the integration of medicine and public health will yield substantial and lasting improvements in the health of individuals, communities and populations (IOM, 2012). Combining medical and public health education provides students with interdisciplinary skills needed to serve as leaders to address population-level issues that impact health at local, national, and global levels. With a focus on public health practice, students will find great value in working with others in the community to prevent disease and improve health. Those graduating with the MD/MPH are uniquely prepared for a wide array of careers addressing the health of individuals and populations.
What are the MD/MPH admission requirements?

Prospective students must apply to both the MCW Medical and Graduate Schools. Students must apply first to the Medical School, be accepted and matriculate at the MCW-Milwaukee campus. Application to the Graduate School occurs in the spring of the M1 year.  Enrollment is contingent upon:

  1. achieving a grade of Pass, Satisfactory, or better in all courses during their M1 year
  2. completing all courses without withdrawing from any courses
  3. approval from the Academic Standing and Professional Committee
  4. earning satisfactory pathway grades and satisfying all pathway deadlines in a timely manner

The MPH application will include:

  • online application
  • official transcripts
  • minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall
  • three letters of recommendation, including one from pathway advisor
  • personal statement  
  • interview
  • M1 course grades will also be used in the MPH acceptance decision
When should students apply to the MD/MPH program?
Students may apply to the MD/MPH program after successful completion of the M1 fall curriculum in its entirety. It is recommended that students apply between January 1 and April 1 of the M1 year to meet the application due date of April 1.
What is the timeline for completing the program?
In the MD/MPH program, students begin their first year in the Medical School. During the summer between M1 and M2 years, as well as during fall and spring of M2 and M3 years, they will enroll in MPH courses through the Graduate School, but remain medical students. In year 4, students will become full time graduate students, and resume curricula in the Medical School during year 5. Students have the option of taking the final MPH electives and finishing MPH coursework during year 4 or year 5. This program allows completion of both degrees in five years instead of the customary six years, which saves both time and tuition expenses.
What is the curriculum for the MPH?

The online MPH program offers a concentration in public health practice. The plan of study includes the following courses for a total of 42 credits.  All courses, except the Field Placement and Capstone, utilize Brightspace, the school’s online learning management system.

  • Five core courses: Behavioral Science and Public Health, Introduction to Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Principles of Epidemiology, and Public Health Administration
  • Other required courses: Community Health Assessment and Improvement, Community Health Program Evaluation, Community Health Program Planning
  • Four electives
  • Field Placement
  • Capstone Project
 

View sample curriculum

Are the academic calendars the same for the Graduate School and Medical School?
The academic calendars are different for the two schools. MPH courses follow the Graduate School’s 16-week session during the fall and spring semesters and the 9-week session during the summer. The Medical School, on the other hand, offers a 26 week fall term and a 26 week spring term.  
Is the program accredited?
The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The Master of Public Health program is also individually accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency which accredits schools of public health and public health programs offered in settings other than schools of public health.  
Is financial aid available?
Students may be eligible for financial aid and should contact the Financial Aid office at (414) 955-8208 or finaid@mcw.edu for information.

Contact Us

Master of Public Health

Medical College of Wisconsin

Institute for Health & Humanity
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 955-4510

mph@mcw.edu

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