Curriculum
In keeping with our goal of integrating medical and public health education, we encourage MD/MPH students to maintain connections with both programs throughout the dual degree. For example, while in the MPH program, students attend seminars given by the School of Medicine and vice versa.
Courses for the MPH program begin in the fall of fourth year after MD summer clinical rotations. After completing three quarters of MPH coursework, MD/MPH students return to medical school for summer rotations and then begin their last year of medical school. Students will enroll in the MPH program again for the required practicum course in the winter of the fifth year.
The Master of Public Health is a 63-64 unit degree. Accelerated coursework in the first three quarters of the program allows MD students to complete the MPH degree requirements in four quarters of enrollment. Courses taken as part of a student’s medical school training cannot apply towards a student’s MPH degree.
The MPH offers six concentration options. MD students applying to the program must select their concentration of interest at the time of application.
Practicum Requirement
MD/MPH students will complete a Public Health Practicum (PH 295) in the winter of their fifth year. The practicum requires students to spend 180 hours with a practicum site completing a public health project. Students complete coursework associated with their practicum project and present a poster at the end of the experience.
Comprehensive Exam
MPH students are required to pass a comprehensive examination as part of their degree requirements. Wen Public Health uses the national “Certified in Public Health” (CPH) examination as the comprehensive examination for the degree. The CPH exam covers the core areas of knowledge offered in CEPH-accredited schools and programs, as well as cross-cutting areas relevant to contemporary public health. Students must pass all MPH Core courses to be eligible to sit for the CPH exam. Students must pass the CPH examination before they can be advanced to candidacy for the MPH degree.
