Medicine and Public Health (MD/MPH)
The MD/MPH dual degree program at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health is designed for students who envision a medical career that incorporates public health and medicine. The MD/MPH program prepares physicians for academic careers or for practice in today’s health care environment.
This flexible program combines traditional medical preparation with a concentration in one of the eight concentrations in the Master of Public Health program. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue programs of study and practice placements that allow the exploration of the multifaceted relationships between medicine and population-focused public health disciplines.
There is also an option for students in the BA/MD program to join the MD/MPH program after they graduate with the bachelor’s degree. For more information, contact Professor Wayne Lamorte.
Degree Requirements
Coursework in the dual degree program is generally completed over a period of five years. Students must earn at least a grade of Pass in all medical school courses and must maintain at least a grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in courses at BUSPH.
To earn both degrees, students must complete the required classroom and clinical coursework for the MD and the required 48 credit hours for the MPH. MD/MPH students must take all courses that they wish to count toward the MPH at the School of Public Health. No courses taken outside of the School of Public Health will count toward the MPH, including courses taken at other Boston University schools and colleges. MD/MPH students must complete a minimum of 32 credits in residence at SPH while meeting the core course, concentration, and practicum requirements for the MPH.
MD/MPH students may fulfill their practicum requirement in the traditional manner, as described by the BUSPH Practice Office. However, most MD/MPH students may wish to fulfill the requirement by undertaking a suitable project during a one-month elective rotation during their fourth year of medical school. This elective should be planned well in advance, and the month-long elective should be devoted entirely to a public health-related project that has been approved by the MD/MPH program director (Dr. Wayne LaMorte). Students are encouraged to discuss possible practicum projects with the MD/MPH program director, who must approve the proposed practicum and will serve as the academic supervisor.
The following medical school courses have been approved to meet MPH electives required for students enrolled in the MD/MPH dual degree program. MD/MPH students must complete a maximum of 16 credits of coursework from this list when completing the medical school portion of their degree. These courses cannot, however, be counted toward concentration requirements, practicum requirement, culminating experience, or core course requirements for the MPH.
- MS 126 Human Behavior in Medicine
- MS 129 Essentials of Public Health
- MS 130 Medical Genetics
- MS 131 Medical Immunology
- MS 220 – MS 226 Disease and Therapy
- Family Medicine Clerkship
- Pediatrics Clerkship
- Psychiatry Clerkship
- Leading Community Health Initiatives: Medicine and Public Health as Partners (fourth-year elective)
Eligibility and Application Procedures
All medical students accepted to BUSM are eligible to apply to the MD/MPH dual degree program. Students interested in the MD/MPH program should apply first to BUSM. Once accepted to BUSM, students who decide to apply to the MD/MPH program should submit an application to the MD/MPH program director before the end of their first year of medical school.
Application
Once accepted into the MD program at BUSM, students may apply to the MD/MPH program by filing an internal application with the director of the MD/MPH program. A complete application will consist of:
- The one-page application cover form.
- A current résumé.
- A statement of purpose written by you in which you:
a) briefly outline your relevant education and experience;
b) indicate your current professional career objectives; and
c) indicate your reasons for pursuing an MPH in conjunction with your MD and how you intend to leverage the MD/MPH dual degree in your career. - One academic letter of reference from a BUSM faculty member who has read your statement of purpose.
- A copy of your current BUSM transcript provided by the BUSM registrar and a letter from the BUSM registrar indicating that you are currently a student in good academic standing at BUSM. (You must request these in writing from the BUSM registrar.)
The application to the Boston University School of Public Health may be submitted any time after acceptance to BUSM and before the end of the first year of medical school. However, interested students are encouraged to apply soon after they are accepted to BUSM. Interested students are encouraged to send questions about the program to Dr. Wayne LaMorte, director of the MD/MPH program.
For specific information or questions regarding the MD/MPH program, see the website or contact:
Wayne W. LaMorte, MD, PhD, MPH
Director, MD/MPH Program
Boston University Medical Center
715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Room 422 East
Boston, MA 02118
wlamorte@bu.edu
