Dual Degree MD/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Arrupe Global Scholars & Partnerships Program (AGSPP) at Creighton University is a distinctive five-year dual degree program where students earn both a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH). It is designed to educate and mentor medical students interested in pursuing careers in global health and health equity. The program's mission is to eradicate health injustices by promoting equitable access to quality healthcare for all, especially for marginalized communities living in poverty. Inspired by Ignatian values and named after Pedro Arrupe, SJ, it seeks to train servant-leaders with a focus on decolonizing global health and fostering pragmatic solidarity.

Key highlights of the program include:

• A fully funded Master of Public Health (MPH) degree through the Arrupe scholarship.

• Partial medical school tuition scholarship for all four years of medical school.

• Five fully funded international service-learning and research experiences.

• Mentorship from experienced faculty and leaders in global health at Creighton and partner institutions.

• An innovative curriculum addressing key global health competencies, including decolonizing global health, racism in medicine, health equity, and social justice.

Accreditation details for the MPH component of this dual degree program are not specified in the provided information.

Delivery Modes

The MD/MPH Arrupe Global Scholars & Partnerships Program is a full-time, five-year commitment. The Master of Public Health (MPH) coursework is completed asynchronously, indicating an online delivery format for this portion of the degree. The program also features significant in-person international immersion experiences as part of its curriculum.

Curriculum Overview

Students in the Arrupe Global Scholars & Partnerships Program earn both a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree over five years. The curriculum is designed to provide foundational knowledge to effect change at a wider level, with a special focus on global health equity.

Key thematic areas in the curriculum include:

• Decolonizing global health

• Racism in medicine

• Health equity and social justice

• Sustainable development goals

• Social determinants of health

• Ethics, cultural humility, liberation medicine

• Global burden of disease, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity strengthening.

The program timeline is structured as follows:

• Year 1 (M1 Curriculum): Includes a Global Health and AGSPP orientation at Creighton’s Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) in the Dominican Republic prior to M1.

• Year 2 (M2 Curriculum): Includes a 3-week cultural and research immersion at an international partner research site prior to M2.

• Year 3 (MPH Program Studies): Students complete the majority of their MPH classes asynchronously and spend a total of 8 weeks abroad working on their MPH practicum and capstone project.

• Year 4 (M3 Clinical Year): Arrupe scholars complete M3 clinical rotations (Omaha or Phoenix) while finishing their MPH capstone project and working towards a scholarly publication.

• Year 5 (M4 Year): Scholars travel to their international partner site to present capstone findings and participate in a 4-week clinical elective rotation.

Practical components include an MPH practicum and capstone project, conducted with mentorship from both Creighton and international faculty. Students also engage in annual themes, retreats, lectures, elective courses, and immersive experiences.

Admissions Requirements

Prospective students interested in the Arrupe Global Scholars & Partnerships Program must first apply to Creighton University’s School of Medicine MD program using the AMCAS application. All applicants who submit a verified AMCAS application to Creighton will be invited by email to apply to the Arrupe program through a Secondary Application Process.

The secondary application for the Arrupe program requires students to:

• Prepare three essays addressing their interest in and goals for the program.

• Provide a letter of recommendation (via AMCAS Letter Service) that addresses their experiences working with marginalized populations, interest in global health, and potential to impact the lives of the global poor.

• Interview with a selection committee, if chosen to advance.

The eligibility and academic prerequisites for the Arrupe Global Scholars are the same as those for the regular MD program, with the addition of a strong interest in global health demonstrated by previous experiences and an emphasis on service with marginalized populations. The GRE normally required for the MPH will be waived for applicants.

Career & Practical Experience

The AGSPP is designed to prepare physicians for careers dedicated to global health equity and serving marginalized communities. Graduates will be equipped to become agents of change and advocates for health justice.

Extensive practical experience is a cornerstone of the program:

• Four fully funded international immersion trips to partner sites, working on scholarly projects that address development goals and social determinants of health.

• MPH practicum and capstone projects conducted in collaboration with international partners and mentored by Creighton and international faculty.

• Cultural immersion, including an initial orientation at the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) in the Dominican Republic.

• Specialized professional development opportunities and skill development in global health research grounded in equitable partnerships.

International partner sites include:

• University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Rwanda

• Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador

• Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), Santiago, Dominican Republic

• Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal