Dual MD/MPH Program

Program Highlights

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers a dual Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health (M.D./M.P.H.) degree program in collaboration with the UT Southwestern Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health. This integrated four-year program is designed for prospective medical students interested in combining clinical medicine with population health to become physician/public health practitioners.

The program aims to equip students with strong methodological skills to address social determinants of health, impact large populations through public health policies, and conduct research on public health issues. Key areas of skill development include:

• Health promotion

• Health economics and policy

• Data sciences

• Epidemiology

• Biostatistics

• Health systems science

• Implementation science

Delivery Modes

The M.P.H. coursework is delivered in a hybrid format, compatible with the M.D. curriculum. The first summer term courses are offered online for maximum flexibility. The remainder of the M.P.H. coursework includes both hybrid and in-person learning experiences. The integrated nature of the four-year dual degree program implies a full-time commitment.

Curriculum Overview

The M.P.H. component of the dual degree requires a total of 45 credit hours, structured as follows:

• Core courses (18 credits)

• Shared credits from UT Southwestern Medical School (12 credits)

• Advanced public health coursework (9 credits)

• Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) (3 credits): Culminates in a scholarly paper and can take forms such as a practice-based project, essay-based exam, capstone course, or integrative seminar.

• Practicum / Applied Practice Experience (APE) (3 credits): A community service-learning experience.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for both the UT Southwestern Medical School and the M.P.H. Program at the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health. Admission to the M.D. program at UT Southwestern is a prerequisite for eligibility into the M.P.H. program component of the dual degree.

Prospective students should start their M.P.H. application via the online portal but should not submit it until they have received acceptance into the UT Southwestern M.D. Program. A personal statement (1,000 words or less) is required, covering:

1. Reasons for pursuing an M.P.H.

2. Relevant public health experience.

3. Why UT Southwestern is a good fit.

Career & Practical Experience

All M.P.H. students complete a three-credit-hour Applied Practice Experience (APE), a community service-learning experience. Students work with advisors to connect with UT Southwestern mentors and community partners for experiences focused on community engagement and practice.

The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) serves as the culmination of the M.P.H. program, where students demonstrate mastery of program concepts and produce a scholarly paper. Graduates of the M.D./M.P.H. dual degree program pursue a variety of residency specialties. Some examples include:

• Anesthesiology

• Emergency Medicine

• Family Medicine

• Internal Medicine

• Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Pediatrics