MD/MBA Dual Degree Program

While students may express their interest in the MD/MBA program on their BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine application, students must be enrolled at Chobanian & Avedisian SOM to be eligible to apply to the dual degree program. The dual degree application is submitted directly to the BU Questrom School of Business (Questrom) and may be filed anytime during a medical student’s first, second, or third year of medical school. See the MD/MBA website for exact deadline dates.

This five-year program is designed for students interested in both clinical medicine and business, whether in the for-profit or not-for-profit industries. Graduates pursue a wide range of healthcare careers in sectors such as traditional healthcare delivery, academia, life sciences research, industry, health information technology, government service, consulting, financial services, and entrepreneurship.

Learning Outcomes

During the MBA year, students will be exposed to a wide range of topics related to the “business of healthcare.” The major learning outcomes for graduates of the MD/MBA program include a detailed understanding and appreciation of topics in the following areas:

• The financial aspects of the healthcare system from a micro and macro perspective. This includes an understanding of the financing of healthcare organizations and the accounting systems utilized.
• All aspects of organizational behavior including the interactions among colleagues and among various institutions.
• Marketing of all components of a healthcare system from individual providers and group practices to larger entities such as clinics and entire delivery systems.
• Operations and technologies involved in operating healthcare systems.
• Data analysis and risk assessment involving large and small management decisions.
• Building the right team for success within and outside organizations.
• Aspects of business law relevant to the healthcare system.
• Building leadership skills needed for organizations to succeed.
• Developing effective communication skills.
• Understanding the ethical foundations of business.
• Leading organizations and people.
• Gaining an understanding of competition, innovation, and strategy.
• Techniques to effectively manage one’s own career path.

Admissions

Students must be enrolled at Chobanian & Avedisian SOM to be eligible to apply to the dual degree program. Most students apply to the program from the beginning of their second Chobanian & Avedisian SOM year through the spring of their third Chobanian & Avedisian SOM year (the final application deadline each year).

A brief list of required application materials includes:

• Online application
• Undergraduate and Chobanian & Avedisian SOM transcripts
• Résumé
• One letter of recommendation
• One written essay or three video essays
• Online interview

The GMAT and GRE tests are no longer required for admission.

For a more comprehensive list of application requirements, please see the MD/MBA Dual Degree website.

Degree Requirements

The MD/MBA program is conducted under the joint auspices of Chobanian & Avedisian SOM and Questrom. Students complete their first three years of the program pursuing the standard medical school curriculum and then spend their fourth year fully integrated into the MBA program at Questrom. Students then return to Chobanian & Avedisian SOM to complete their last year of MD requirements.

During the fourth year at Questrom, students will take 46 unit hours of management courses, with an emphasis on health sector issues. Multiple aspects of the sector are explored, including healthcare delivery, life sciences, and health information technology. In their fifth year, students will complete their remaining medical school year while finishing a few business course units. The MD degree is awarded by Chobanian & Avedisian SOM, and the MBA degree in Health Sector Management is awarded by Questrom. 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 and the required coursework for the MBA degree. In addition, an MBA “internship” is required prior to graduation (see below).

Required MBA Internship

A 400-hour internship in a health sector business setting is also required to complete the dual degree program. The internship is completed flexibly during the MBA year or the last year of medical school, depending on the schedule of the student. The internship is designed not to interfere with clinical residency interviews. The business internship provides real-world experience to complement the intensive education provided in the classroom.