Dual Degree MPH Program (MD/MPH)

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) offers an MD/MPH dual degree program specifically designed for UTMB medical students. This integrated program allows students to earn both the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees within the standard four years of medical school.

Key advantages of this dual degree include:

• Time Efficiency: Eliminates an additional year of study typically required for a separate MPH degree.

• Reduced Coursework: Requires only 30 additional credit hours for the MPH, compared to the traditional 42-hour MPH, due to shared credits between the School of Medicine and the Graduate School.

• Cost Savings: The primary cost for the MPH component is tuition, as university fees are paid once through the School of Medicine.

• Enhanced Residency Prospects: May improve a student's competitiveness for matching in some competitive residency programs.

• Exploration of Interests: Caters to students with interests in research, global health, underserved populations, infectious diseases, social determinants of health, and health care services and systems.

The provided HTML context does not specify accreditation bodies (e.g., CEPH) for the MPH program component.

Delivery Modes

The MD/MPH is an integrated dual degree program. The MPH component is completed concurrently with the on-campus, full-time Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, aligning with the medical school's schedule and structure.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH portion of the dual degree requires an additional 30 credit hours. Students in this program follow the Generalist track. Graduates are expected to master core public health competencies, including:

1. Differentiate the organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems in the United States.

2. Apply evaluation methods and quality measurement, assurance and improvement concepts to address organizational performance.

3. Assess the roles of cultural, social, and behavioral factors influencing health outcomes.

4. Integrate information and resources to make evidence-informed decisions for patients and populations.

5. Select public health and social services resources to address health-related needs in populations and individuals.

A curriculum document for the 4-year MD/MPH Generalist Concentration is available: Curriculum 4-year MDMPH Generalist Concentration .

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the MD/MPH program is for current UTMB medical students. The application process includes submission through SOPHAS Express, and the Admissions Committee also considers the student's TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service) application.

Key application components include:

• Official Transcripts: Applicants must have completed a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree (or the foreign equivalent) at a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae.

• Letter of Recommendation: One letter is required, highly recommended from an individual who can speak to the applicant's academic abilities.

• Personal Statement: An essay describing past education, work/volunteer experiences, career objectives, interest in public health and the MPH program at UTMB, area(s) of research/professional interest, and how the MPH will apply to career goals.

Career & Practical Experience

The MD/MPH program is designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths where medicine and public health intersect. It supports the exploration of interests in research, global health, underserved populations, infectious disease, social determinants of health, and health care services and systems. The program may also enhance competitiveness for residency positions.

Recent MD/MPH graduates (2025 Match Outcomes) have matched into a variety of specialties, including Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Interventional Radiology (Integrated), Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Psychiatry, and Radiation Oncology.