DO/MPH

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree program provides a solid foundation in both medicine and public health. This program equips graduates with necessary clinical skills for treating patients and provides an in-depth understanding of how public health approaches are employed to improve the health of populations, including efforts to reduce health disparities. Physicians who are MPH-trained often work in government agencies as regional medical directors or local health authorities where they manage public health programs and advise policymakers on a range of healthcare and public health issues.

Benefits of the DO/MPH degree program:

The MPH-trained physician will have in-depth knowledge and competencies in: epidemiology and biostatistics, health policy, behavior and community change strategies, community program planning and evaluation, structural determinants of health in society, and public health leadership.
The MPH-trained physician will have expanded professional opportunities, particularly in federal, state, and local government agencies.
The MPH-trained physician will have the ability to speak the language of policymakers.
The MPH-trained physician will be prepared to transition from a clinical focus to a policy and management role in leading change in health systems.
The MPH-trained physician will rely on a population health perspective in delivering clinical care, and in doing so will have a heightened awareness of the social, economic, racial, and environmental determinants of health.
The MPH-trained physician will have an enhanced ability to consume and interpret health- related research.

Potential career paths:

Federal, state, and local government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, state health departments, and county and city health departments
Global/international medicine and public health
Policy and advocacy for vulnerable and underserved communities
Addressing the needs of specific priority populations, such as children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, mental illness, or drug addiction, tribal communities, etc.
Environmental health advocacy and regulation

For more information and to apply to the HSC DO/MPH dual degree program, contact: Admissions@unthsc.edu.

Facutly Advisors:

Misty Smethers, Ed.D., M.A.E.

Misty.Smethers@unthsc.edu

College of Public Health

Mike Kennedy, Ed.D.

mike.kennedy@unthsc.edu

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Integrated Curriculum Sequence:

Notes: MPH courses offered online in concentrated 8-week sessions. Public Health Practice Experience (PHED 5297) must be completed over three semesters in a public health organization. Passing the national CPH Examination is required for conferral of the MPH degree and can be taken anytime after the five core (5300 courses) are completed.

*MEDE courses approved for elective MPH credit are subject to change depending upon revisions in the DO curriculum. Additional MPH elective coursework could be required.

DO/MPH Five-Year Integrated Curriculum Option 1

DO/MPH Five-Year Integrated Curriculum Option 2