Dual DVM/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Tufts University D.V.M./Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a dual-degree offering jointly administered by Tufts University School of Medicine and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Students complete both their D.V.M. and MPH degrees concurrently over four years. The program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in veterinary public health or to integrate public health principles into traditional veterinary practice or research.

Key focus areas include food safety, epidemiology and biostatistics, infectious disease control and prevention, public health administration, global health, and environmental health. Graduates are equipped to address emerging zoonotic diseases, climate change concerns, and respond to natural disasters.

Program accreditation by bodies such as CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) for the MPH component is not explicitly mentioned in the provided context. Graduates are noted as strong candidates for specialty board certification in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine .

Delivery Modes

The D.V.M./MPH public health curriculum is tightly integrated with veterinary coursework, suggesting a primarily on-campus, full-time delivery. Core public health courses are taken on Tuesday afternoons. Electives are offered on the Grafton or Boston campus and may utilize flexible learning formats.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH portion of the dual degree comprises 42 credits . Core courses cover key MPH competencies including:

• Evidence-Based Approaches to Public Health

• Public Health and Health Care Systems

• Planning and Management to Promote Health

• Policy in Public Health, Leadership

• Communication

• Interprofessional Practice

• Systems Thinking

Concentration-specific courses for the D.V.M./MPH program include:

• Global Population Health

• D.V.M./MPH Research Methods

• Transboundary and Exotic Diseases and Animals

• Introduction to Veterinary Public Health

• The Legal Basis of Veterinary Public Health

Students participate in a monthly small group seminar, Integration of Public Health, and complete a D.V.M./MPH Clinical Rotation in their final year. Veterinary public health electives are also available, with examples such as Food Protection for Veterinary Professionals, Disaster Medicine, and Veterinary Forensics.

Practice Experience and Capstone Project

Between the first and second years, students undertake an eight-week summer field experience (Applied Practice Experience - APE) at a public, private, or volunteer health organization. This experience involves working with a mentor on a project beneficial to the host agency.

Between the second and third years, students complete a capstone project (Integrative Learning Experience - ILE) , an in-depth public health practicum applying knowledge and skills to a veterinary public health problem. This can be field-based or an individual research project.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must apply separately to both the D.V.M. and MPH programs and meet the respective application requirements. D.V.M. applicants who are interviewed receive information and an application for the MPH program in January or February. The MPH application must be submitted by early March to the Office of Admissions at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Admission notifications are sent by early April. Acceptance into the D.V.M./MPH program is contingent upon acceptance into the D.V.M. program. Approximately six to eight students are admitted annually, based on D.V.M. application materials and the supplemental MPH application and essays.

Cost & Financial Aid

An MPH tuition, additional to the D.V.M. program tuition, is charged each semester of the four-year program and is subject to yearly increases. For current MPH tuition rates and cost of education information, please refer to the Tuition & Fees page . Financial aid for the MPH program is not guaranteed, and students should be prepared to cover MPH tuition costs. Information on financial aid options can be found on the Financial Aid page .

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates are prepared for careers at organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Military, as well as in research, international health, private industry, and academia. They are considered highly attractive candidates for residencies and other opportunities dedicated to human and animal health. The program also positions graduates as strong candidates for specialty board certification in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Practical experience is gained through the summer field placement and the capstone project, as detailed in the Curriculum Overview.