Dual Degree Programs

Boston University School of Public Health offers five graduate dual degree programs.

Law and Public Health (JD/MPH)

An accelerated four-year course of study leading to the JD and MPH degrees is offered by BUSPH Department of Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights and the Boston University School of Law. Successful candidates receive both the Juris Doctor (JD) and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees—a seven- or eight-semester sequence that would otherwise take a minimum of four and one-half years to complete.

Boston University provides an exceptionally strong program of health law courses, and BUSPH is the only public health school in the country today to offer a concentration in the field.  The JD/MPH degree program offers the essential systematic knowledge of the health field and its disciplines to prepare students for careers in law, government service, administration, and research. Students also benefit from educational programs and activities offered by the Department of Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights at BUSPH.

Advantages of the JD/MPH Program

• Coursework is accelerated by crediting up to 16 SPH course credits and up to 4 LAW courses toward both the JD and MPH degrees, saving both time and tuition.
• While students are attending both the School of Law and the School of Public Health, they pay tuition to one school only. No additional tuition is charged (unless the student exceeds the maximum course load of 18 credits in a given semester).
• The JD/MPH program may be completed in three and one-half years if SPH courses are taken during the summer session. Students enrolled in summer courses at BUSPH while completing Law School courses must pay additional tuition for summer courses.
• SPH offers evening courses so students may complete the MPH degree on a full- or part-time basis while working.

How to Apply

Application to the dual degree program is made by submitting a regular application to each School separately. Applications to the School of Public Health MPH degree program require the submission of GRE scores, official transcripts of prior education, three recommendations, and a personal statement.

Applications to the School of Public Health (SPH) must be submitted online to the centralized Schools of Public Health Applications Service (SOPHAS). For more information, consult the School of Public Health Admissions Office.

Students applying simultaneously, or already admitted, to the School of Law may submit LSAT instead of GRE scores and the recommendations submitted to the School of Law plus one new recommendation.

Students are free to begin their studies at either School. Most begin Law School studies first, then take courses at SPH during their second and third years of law school, and, after graduating with the JD degree, complete their MPH studies at SPH.  The advantage of beginning with studies at the School of Law is that it does not interrupt students’ coursework in public health courses.  The first year of study at the School of Law consists of a prescribed law curriculum, which does not permit elective courses.

Students should contact the JD/MPH Program Director soon after admission to the dual degree program to plan their courses of study. Students should contact the SPH Registrar’s Office when they are ready to begin full-time study at the SPH following completion of their JD so that transfer credits and program codes are recorded correctly. Students should review the JD/MPH Program Guide for information.

For more information, please contact Professor Wendy K. Mariner, Program Director, 617-638-4626; wmariner@bu.edu.

Health Care and Management (MBA/MPH) Introduction

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Public Health dual degree program is offered by the Health Sector Management Program in the School of Management and two departments at the School of Public Health, the Health Policy & Management Department and the International Health Department, which offers a global track.

The MBA/MPH is an accelerated, full-time program leading to the award of both the MBA and the MPH degrees in two years, including summers.

The goal of this rigorous program is to provide students with a solid foundation in both management and public health in an integrated, structured curriculum.  The MBA/MPH with a concentration in Health Policy & Management focuses on the American health care system.  The MBA/MPH in International Health focuses on international health systems and global health issues in resource-constrained settings. Applicants are provided a perspective with a larger public health care systems approach and receive knowledge and skills to make them more effective and efficient managers.

Applicants must apply simultaneously to the School of Public Health and the School of Management. Separate application to both Schools is required. For further information, contact:

Health Sector Management Program
Boston University School of Management
595 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-2670
smghcmp@bu.edu

Department of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health
Victoria Parker
Assistant Professor
vaparker@bu.edu

Department of International Health, School of Public Health
Taryn Vian
Assistant Professor
tvian@bu.edu

MBA/MPH in Health Policy and Management

The goal of this rigorous program is to provide students with a solid foundation in both management and public health in an integrated, structured curriculum that focuses on the American health care system. Students will develop managerial skills and knowledge along with a public health care systems approach and be prepared for a variety of managerial roles within the American health care system.  The dual degree requires a total of 80 credits, 43 from the School of Management, 34 credits from the School of Public Health, and 3 elective credits earned in either School.

MBA Program Components

During the first year, MBA/MPH HPM candidates will take 33 credits of MBA core courses and a 3-credit course in the Health Sector Management program.  These courses include the basic MBA skill set. During the summer after the first year, a required internship through the Health Sector Management program will be completed. In the second year, students will take two additional Health Sector Management courses (to include HM 710) at the School of Management and the career portfolio program, for a total of 43 credits across the two years.

MPH Program Components

Dual degree candidates begin their School of Public Health coursework during the summer after the first year, taking between 2 and 5 credits at that time. MBA/MPH students are required to take 4 core courses in the School of Public Health. Due to overlapping coursework in the MBA curriculum, two core requirements are waived: Biostatistics and Health Policy & Management.

Core courses required:

SPH EP 711 Epidemiologic methods (3 credits)

SPH EH 708 Introduction to Environmental Health (2 credits)

SPH LW 751 Public Health Law (4 credits)

SPH SB 721 Social and Behavioral Science for Public Health (3 credits)

Health Policy and Management concentration requirements (18 credits):

One course meeting the research paper requirement (PM 840 4 cr, PM 834 4 cr)

A culminating course (PM 827 4 cr, PM 834 4 cr, PM 840 4 cr)

Policy and planning total 8 credits (PM 758 2 cr, PM 810 2 cr, PM 834 4 cr, PM 838 2 cr, PM 840 4 cr, PM 850 2 cr)

Organization and delivery of care total 4 credits (PM 755 4 cr, PM 827 4 cr, PM 836 2 cr)

Management and finance total 4 credits (PM 735 4 cr, PM 833 4 cr, PM 741 2 cr)

Additional dual degree requirements:

SPH LW 725 Ethical Issues in Medicine and Public Health

3-credit elective in either School

MBA/MPH in Global Health and Management

The Health Sector Management (PMM) Program at SMG and the Department of International Health (IH) at SPH are offering a new track for the dual degree MBA/MPH program focusing on Global Health (GH).  The goal of the two-year, full-time program is to provide students with a solid foundation in both management and public health in an integrated, structured curriculum that focuses on international health systems and global health issues.  This program is geared toward foreign and American students who will lead and manage institutions working to ameliorate the health of populations in resource-constrained settings around the world.  The Global Health focus as part of the dual degree will help students understand the context in which international health policy, financing, and management decisions are made. Students will have the opportunity to apply management skills to practical challenges in their field of programmatic interest, such as pharmaceutical policy and management, HIV/AIDS, or global health management consulting.

The dual degree will require the completion of a minimum of 80 credits, 44 from the School of Management, 33 credits from the School of Public Health, and 3 elective credits earned at either School.

MBA Core Programs

MBA/MPH GH candidates will cover the bulk of the core MBA program from the School of Management in the first year.  This includes the basic MBA skill-set of accounting, finance, information systems, marketing, operations, organizational behavior, and strategy. Students will take 30 credits of MBA core courses in the first two semesters, and 5 additional core credits in year two, for a total of 35 credits.

Health Sector Management Program:

The Health Sector Management program includes additional focused courses (9 credits) in the structure and operation of the health sector.

SPH Core Program and Other Requirements:

MBA/MPH GH candidates will be required to take core courses in the School of Public Health. Due to overlapping coursework, two core requirements are waived: Biostatistics, and Health Policy & Management.

Summer Internship/Practice Requirement:

Students will fulfill the public health field practice placement requirement through the School of Management summer internship program.  This summer internship requirement includes 400 hours of on-site work, which is greater than the requirement for SPH student practice placement on-site work. Students will be strongly encouraged to work overseas with a global health nongovernmental organization, private company engaging in a public–private partnership, multilateral or bilateral donor agency, or international financial institution.  To allow adequate time for an overseas internship, no other coursework is scheduled for the summer after the first year.

International Health Concentration and Capstone:

MBA/MPH GH candidates will be required to complete 22 approved credits in the IH-Global Health  Track. All students will take a 4-credit required course on the Organization, Delivery, and Financing of Medical Care Services in developing countries. In discussions with their IH faculty advisor, students will be encouraged to choose an area of focus within global health, and must choose at least 16 credits from approved elective options. In addition, students must complete a 2-credit capstone during the second year, spring semester, which synthesizes learning from prior courses and field practice experience.  The Capstone includes an industry analysis, documentation of networking opportunities, career plans, and an explanation of experiences that the student brings to potential employers.

Medical Sciences and Public Health (MA/MPH)

The Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and the School of Public Health offer a dual degree that is broadly based in preclinical medical sciences and public health. Students must apply and be accepted to both the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and to the School of Public Health.  The admissions do not have to be concurrent.

Students in the MA/MPH program take core courses in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and the School of Public Health.  Taken as separate degree programs, the Master of Public Health requires 48 credits and the Master of Arts in Medical Sciences requires 32 credits.  The dual MA/MPH, however, is awarded upon completion of 64 credits distributed equally between the two Schools.  The degrees are simultaneous degrees, meaning the degrees cannot be awarded singly. Students are awarded the degrees during the same graduation period (May, September, or January) and must have successfully completed the requirements of both degrees.

MPH requirements for MA/MPH degree candidates: All students must complete a minimum of 32 credits of courses numbered SPH xx 7xx or above. No transfer credit is allowed. Students must meet all core, concentration, and degree requirements, including the practicum and the culminating experience for their concentration at the School of Public Health.

For more information, contact Dr. David Gagnon, Director of the joint program, in the School of Public Health 617-638-4457 or gagnon@bu.edu.

Social Work and Public Health (MSW/MPH)

The MSW/MPH dual degree program is a 100-credit program of study leading to the award of both the Master of Social Work and the Master of Public Health degrees.  The program is based on the recognition that many social workers are involved in the health delivery system and are interested in taking a broader, population-based look at the system. In addition, new roles are evolving for social workers in the health sector.  These include social work in the administration of health delivery systems and participation in the health policy process at local, state, and national levels.

While students may begin their studies at the School of Public Health, it is not recommended. Students may not earn the MPH prior to earning the MSW degree, nor may they waive SPH SB 721, the core course requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences for the Master of Public Health degree, until the MSW is completed.

Students do not have to apply to the School of Social Work and School of Public Health simultaneously. Students are admitted to one of the two Schools (generally Social Work) and complete that School’s basic coursework. Before the end of the first year, an application is made to the other School (generally Public Health). Students in each School are held to the same admission standards as other students.  The program may also be pursued on a part-time basis. Students may earn the MSW prior to completing the MPH degree, as the degrees are not simultaneous degrees.  They then continue their studies at the School of Public Health, and upon completion of all School of Public Health requirements, including at least 32 credits in residence at the School of Public Health, they are awarded the MPH degree.  The School of Social Work is located on the Charles River campus. For more information, visit the School of Social Work.

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 degree 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.

Coursework in the dual degree program is generally completed over a period of five years.

Degree Requirements

To earn both degrees, students must complete the required classroom and clinical coursework for the MD degree and the required 48 credit hours for the MPH.

For MD/MPH students the 48 credits for the MPH are fulfilled as follows:

1. MD/MPH students earn 12 credits toward the MPH for completing designated courses required for their MD degree; an additional 4 credits are awarded for fulfilling a “practicum” requirement, which involves submission of a report based on clinical rotations in Family Medicine or Geriatrics.  The cost for these 16 credits is covered by medical school tuition.
2. The other 32 credits toward the MPH degree are as follows:

Approximately 16 credits for Core Courses as follows:

An additional 16 credits that fulfill the requirements for the area of concentration chosen by the student from among the eight concentrations.

The cost for the MPH degree reflects the cost of these additional 32 credit hours in the School of Public Health. Students are advised to meet with personnel of the Medical Center’s Student Financial Management Office to discuss financing options.

All dual degree students must meet with the MD/MPH advisor in the School of Public Health (Dr. Wayne LaMorte) and their medical school advisor at the beginning of their program to develop a plan of study. In addition, students must meet with the MD/MPH advisor at least annually to monitor their progress through the program and to discuss career directions.

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 the School of Public Health.

Eligibility

Admission to the dual degree program is contingent upon admission to both the School of Medicine (MED) and the School of Public Health (SPH).

Application

Students who wish to apply to the MD/MPH dual degree program should apply first to the Boston University School of Medicine and indicate your interest in the MD/MPH program. (Indicating an interest in the MD/MPH program does not affect the likelihood of acceptance into the MD program.) Once you are accepted into the MD program, you then file an online application to the Boston University School of Public Health for the combined MD/MPH dual degree program via SOPHAS, the centralized application service for CEPH-accredited schools of public health.  The fee for SOPHAS is $95.00 for application to one designated school of public health. U.S. residents who can demonstrate financial need can apply to a fee waiver program that will waive the SOPHAS fee for the first application.

Transcripts: Applicants are required to submit official transcripts directly to SOPHAS. Copies of transcripts can not be submitted directly to BUSPH.

Standardized Tests: Applicants must report their MCAT scores via the SOPHAS application. However, if official copies of the MCAT scores reside with your school, you may request that a copy of these scores be sent to BUSPH instead of requesting an official copy being sent to SOPHAS.

Letters of Reference: Dual degree candidates are required to submit three letters of reference, one of which must speak to their interest in public health. Applicants may request that copies of their letters of reference be sent from the BUSM Admissions Office directly to SOPHAS, or the applicant may submit three new letters of reference to SOPHAS. Applicants will need to list their recommenders in SOPHAS.

Questions regarding application to the BU School of Public Health or SOPHAS should be directed to Brad Peloquin, BUSPH Director of Admissions.

The application to the Boston University School of Public Health may be submitted any time after acceptance to BUSM until 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. Once you are accepted to the dual degree program, you should make an appointment to meet with Dr. LaMorte in order to review program requirements and to map out a schedule of study for the combined programs.

For specific information or questions regarding the MD/MPH program, contact:

Wayne W. LaMorte, MD, PhD, MPH
Director, MD/MPH Program
Boston University Medical Center
715 Albany St.,  Talbot Building, Room 422 East
East Boston, MA 02118
E-mail: wlamorte@bu.edu
Telephone: 617-638-5073

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31 October 2008
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