Block 1
Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a “B” average within the medical curriculum and must pass Part 1 and Part 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program advisory committee, the Dean of TCOM and the Dean of the School of Public Health. During Block 1, the coursework completed within the TCOM curriculum will count for between 6-12 credit hours toward the MPH degree as determined by the SPH graduate committee.
Block 2
Block 2 consists of at least one year dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all course work required for the MPH degree for either the Professional Option or the Thesis Option. For the Professional Option, this coursework will include a public health practicum experience and will culminate with a comprehensive examination or Capstone project. For the Thesis Option, significant progress toward the completion of the thesis research is expected under the direction of a research mentor and graduate committee.
During Block 2, the student will also participate in a half-day elective clinical rotation biweekly. This experience will serve to maintain their clinical training experience and patient skills while the student is enrolled in their research training. An additional elective month during Block 3 will be available to complete their research requirements.
Block 3
During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations. During this block, the student may also continue work toward completion of the master’s thesis as necessary. At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed the required courses and research requirements according to the SPH degree plan. Following completion of the curricula required for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the MPH degree through SPH.
DO/MPH Program
| |
|
DO Degree |
MPH Degree |
| Block 1 |
Year 1 |
Semester 1-2 of medical curriculum |
No requirements |
| |
Year 2 |
Semester 3-4 of medical curriculum |
No requirements |
| |
Year 3 |
Core Clinical Clerkships |
No requirements (optional coursework) |
| Block 2 |
Year 4 |
Single Intermittent Clinical Clerkship |
Completion of MPH coursework & work on PH Practicum (Professional Option) or Thesis Research (Thesis Option) |
| Block 3 |
Year 5 |
Completion of Clinical Clerkships |
Defense of Practicum or Thesis |
Alternative Curricular Paths
Students may request to complete the MPH coursework and curriculum concurrent with the DO curriculum. Students wishing to be considered for this option must consult with the Director of the Multidisciplinary Programs and the Graduate Advisor of the School of Public Health. Application into this path is encouraged during the first year of medical school.
Admissions Decisions and Deferments for Dual Degree Applicants
Applicants will be furnished written notification regarding their admission status by the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services. Statements by other Health Science Center personnel concerning the applicant’s admissibility are not valid until confirmed in writing by the Office of Admission and Academic Services.
Students who are admitted to a degree program and plan to enroll are required to submit an Admission Decision Form along with a non-refundable $200 assurance fee that will be used toward tuition upon arrival. Applicants admitted to a degree program that do not intend to enroll in the semester for which they applied must contact the Office of Admission and Academic Services to request deferment. Deferments must be made in writing and cannot exceed one year from the original acceptance date. There is a non-refundable deferment fee of $300 that will be used toward tuition upon arrival; the deferment fee is due at the time the request is made.
Information submitted in the application materials must be complete and correct. Prospective and current students must notify the proper institution officials regarding any changes in the information provided on their application. Falsification or omission of any information on the application documents will void a student’s admission, cancel their enrollment, and/or result in appropriate disciplinary action.
All materials submitted during the application process become the property of the Health Science Center and cannot be returned.
Financial Assistance
To be eligible for scholarships and assistantships offered by the School of Public Health, applicants must complete the admission application by March 15. For more information, please contact the Office of Admission and Academic Services 817-735-2401.