Dual MPH/VMD Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The VMD | Master of Public Health (MPH) is a dual degree program offered jointly by Penn Vet and the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Public Health Initiatives. This unique program allows students to earn both a professional degree in Veterinary Medicine (VMD) and an MPH. It equips veterinarians with an added foundation in public health, preparing them for a wide array of professional endeavors. The MPH curriculum is CEPH-accredited. A key strength of Penn’s MPH program is its interdisciplinary nature, with VMD | MPH students taking public health courses alongside students from other Penn schools, including Medicine, Law, Dental Medicine, Nursing, Arts and Sciences, and Social Policy and Practice.

Delivery Modes

The VMD | MPH dual degree program is designed as a full-time, on-campus program. Students typically complete the bulk of their MPH coursework concurrently with their VMD studies. The program is structured to be completed in about four and a half years, though students may elect to extend their plan of study.

Curriculum Overview

The CEPH-accredited MPH curriculum focuses on a group of core courses covering essential public health domains. Students select from several track options and design their plan of study with electives to fulfill track requirements. Available tracks include:

• Generalist Track

• Global Health Track

• Environmental Health Track

• One Health Track (specifically designed for VMD|MPH students)

The One Health Track, for example, requires 5 Course Units (CU's) of electives in addition to the MPH Core Curriculum, and allows VMD candidates to substitute certain VMD courses (Vet Epidemiology, Clinical Biostatistics) for corresponding MPH core courses. VMD core courses such as Veterinary Public Health (VMED 607) and Emerging Exotic Diseases (VMED 619) can be cross-counted for MPH electives. The program also mandates 125 hours of fieldwork and a culminating Capstone experience, which results in a mentored research or project in public health.

Admissions Requirements

Current Penn Vet students can apply for admission to the VMD | MPH dual degree program during the fall of their first or second year of VMD studies. Ideal applicants should possess a strong understanding of the public health profession, maintain a strong academic record, and have a clear intention to integrate public health principles into their future veterinary careers. The application process includes a separate essay and an interview, which are evaluated in conjunction with all application materials submitted to Penn Vet by the VMD | MPH advisory group.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the VMD | MPH program are prepared for diverse careers in fields such as global health, environmental health, epidemiology (including disease investigation, control, and prevention), food safety and security, animal population management (e.g., domestic pet sheltering), fisheries and wildlife conservation, and global food production.

MPH-trained veterinarians are in high demand by various governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private corporations focusing on issues like vaccine development, disaster management, and climate change. Their background also equips them to be stakeholders with local leaders on policies prioritizing the health of animals, the environment, and human needs. The program's requirement of 125 hours of fieldwork and a Capstone project provides significant practical experience.