Dual DO/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Touro University California's DO/MPH dual degree program integrates osteopathic medicine with public health principles, emphasizing holistic patient care and the promotion and protection of population health. As a doctor of osteopathic medicine, students learn that education and prevention are as vital as treating disease, aligning well with public health's focus.

The MPH program component is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This accreditation is a significant designation required by many employers and for various fellowships, ensuring graduates have access to a broad range of opportunities.

Delivery Modes

The MPH component of the dual DO/MPH degree is pursued on-campus. Students can complete the public health coursework in one of two ways, suggesting a full-time commitment during these periods:

• Begin public health courses in the summer before entering the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). Didactic coursework is completed during that first summer and the summer after the first year of COM.

• Opt for a 5th year at TUCCOM (available on a case-by-case basis with approval). Students take a leave of absence from COM and spend a year immersed in public health, completing all didactic coursework and the Field Study.

Curriculum Overview

As part of the dual degree, students complete 30 units within the Public Health Program. An additional 12 units are transferred from the DO curriculum, covering related cross-over content (the full standalone MPH degree is 42 units).

Students can focus their MPH degree by choosing one of three concentrations through elective courses: Community Action for Health, Global Health, or Criminal Justice and Health.

A core component is the public health field study. Depending on the chosen concentration, students may conduct research with non-profit organizations, work within correctional facilities or hospitals, or undertake field studies in international locations such as Bolivia, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nepal, or Uganda.

For their culminating experience, students can either prepare for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam or complete a capstone project, working closely with a faculty mentor. The 5th-year option particularly facilitates the capstone project.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants can apply for the MPH program concurrently with their AACOMAS application for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program, or they can apply after being accepted into the DO program at Touro University California. More details on the application process are available on the university's DO/MPH dual degree admissions page.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the DO/MPH program are equipped for diverse careers focusing on individual patient care, community health, or a combination of both. Alumni often contribute to:

• Clinical research

• Consulting in global health research and programs

• Planning and implementing disease prevention and control strategies

• Leadership roles within health departments, federal and international agencies, managed care organizations, healthcare providers, and medical schools.

The program emphasizes meaningful fieldwork, providing a broader perspective on how politics, history, economics, and sociology affect individual health and how to address these factors.