Combined MD/MBA Program

The dual degree MD/MBA program links the MD degree with intensive management education at a top business school providing graduates with a full MBA with a concentration in the health sector. This five-year program is designed for students interested in both clinical medicine and the business aspects of medicine, and is tailored for individuals seeking careers in clinical leadership in the for-profit and not-for-profit industries. Graduates pursue careers in a wide range of healthcare, such as traditional healthcare delivery, academia, life sciences, health information technology, government service, and entrepreneurship—where graduates become leaders in starting new healthcare ventures.

Admissions

Students not already in the School of Medicine who are interested in the MD/MBA should submit completed applications to both the School of Medicine and the Questrom School of Business. Within each application, candidates should express their interest in this particular dual degree program. Candidates will then receive separate decisions from each school regarding admission to that portion of the dual degree. Please note that candidates may be admitted to one but not both of the schools in which the dual degrees are housed and may choose to pursue that individual degree. That said, they must be accepted by both schools in order to be eligible to complete the dual degree.

It is also possible for students to apply for the MD/MBA program after they have begun medical school. Such students should email the admissions office to express their interest.

To view required essays and the admissions checklist for the Questrom School of Business, visit the Admissions Process page.

Degree Requirements

The MD/MBA program is conducted under the joint auspices of Boston University’s School of Medicine and Questrom School of Business. Students complete the first three years pursuing the standard medical school curriculum and then spend their fourth year fully integrated into the MBA program at Questrom.

During this fourth year, students will take 45 credit hours of management courses, with an emphasis on health sector issues. Multiple aspects of the sector are addressed, including healthcare delivery, the life sciences industry, and health information technology. In their fifth year, students will complete their remaining medical school and management course credits at Questrom. The MD degree is awarded by the School of Medicine and the MBA degree in Health Sector Management is awarded by the Questrom School of Business. Both degrees are granted at the medical school graduation.

To earn both degrees, students must successfully complete the required classroom and clinical coursework for the MD degree, the required coursework for the MBA degree, and a 400-hour field placement “internship” in a healthcare business or organization. Students must earn the grade of Pass or Honor in all MED courses and must maintain a grade point average of 2.7 (on a scale of 4.0) in MBA courses.

Required Internship

A management-oriented internship in a health sector business setting is also required, which is completed flexibly during the MBA or the last year of medical school, depending on the intended clinical specialty and schedule of the student. The business internship provides a compelling real-world experience to complement the intensive, experiential education provided in the classroom.