Dual MPH/MD Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The MD/Master of Public Health (MD/MPH) program at the University of Pennsylvania is specifically designed for Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) medical students who wish to gain a special focus on population or community health. The program's goal is to deliver robust interdisciplinary training, preparing students for diverse career paths including clinical practice, disease prevention, health behavior, health education, research, implementation science, and policy making.

Information regarding specific accreditation for the MPH program (e.g., CEPH) is not detailed in this document; students should consult the main MPH program resources for these details.

Delivery Modes

This dual MD/MPH program is delivered on-campus at the University of Pennsylvania. It is structured as a full-time commitment, with students enrolling full-time in MD coursework for the first three years, followed by full-time MPH coursework in the fourth year, and a combination in the fifth year.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH component of the dual degree requires the completion of 14 course units. This includes:

• 6 Required core course units

• 2 Required MPH Capstone course units

• 6 Electives (3 must have a PUBH prefix; the remaining 3 can be MD curriculum transfer credits or other approved courses)

A significant component of the curriculum is a public health fieldwork experience, requiring a minimum of 125 hours of hands-on work in a community setting. This can be undertaken locally, nationally, or internationally.

Students also complete an MPH Capstone project, a culminating experience allowing exploration of a passionate topic under faculty mentorship.

Perelman medical students in the MD/MPH program can earn transfer credit for some MPH electives from their MD curriculum.

Admissions Requirements

The MD/MPH program is exclusively available to medical students currently enrolled at the Perelman School of Medicine.

Interested PSOM students should apply directly to the Master of Public Health program; the application is not processed through SOPHAS. It is recommended to contact Dr. Hillary Nelson, MPH Program Director ( [email protected] ), for detailed information and guidance.

The application deadline for PSOM students is February 1 of their third year of medical school.

Cost & Financial Aid

MD/MPH students are charged 7 semesters of medical school tuition. During the periods dedicated to MPH coursework (Fall and Spring semesters of year 4, and Summer and Spring semesters of year 5), tuition for the MPH program is charged per course unit, in addition to applicable fees.

Detailed information on MPH tuition rates and fees can be found on the MPH program's financing page .

Perelman medical students considering the MD/MPH program are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid counseling. Michael Sabara ( [email protected] ), Director of Financial Services, is available to discuss program costs, the financial aid process, funding options, and application procedures.

Career & Practical Experience

The program aims to prepare graduates for careers that bridge medicine and public health, including roles in clinical practice with a population health focus, disease prevention, health behavior and education, research, implementation science, and health policy.

Practical experience is gained through the mandatory 125-hour public health fieldwork, offering hands-on engagement in real-world public health settings. Fieldwork can be local, national, or international.

The MPH Capstone project further provides an opportunity for in-depth, mentored research or project work on a specific public health issue.

MD/MPH students receive academic advising and mentorship throughout the program, including support from faculty with dual training and specialized mentors for their Capstone projects.