MD-MPH Degree
Program at a Glance
Together with the MD Program, the Upstate Public Health Program offers a dual degree program for students interested in pursuing both the MD and MPH degree. The MD/MPH typically takes five years to earn both degrees. As such, the timeline would follow:
MPH Coursework - see below (Year One)
MSI Courses (Year Two)
MSII Courses (Year Three)
MSIII Required Clerkships (Year Four)
MSIV (Year Five)
Students enrolled in the Upstate Public Health dual degree program will be automatically enrolled in the Population Health for Clinicians Concentration.
MPH Coursework Overview: Population Health for Clinicians Concentration
Foundational Courses (24 Credit Hours)
- Principles of Epidemiology
- Principles of Biostatistics
- Principles of Environmental Health
- Social & Behavioral Dimensions of Public Health
- Public Health Policy
- Public Health Administration
- Public Health Research Methods
- Program Planning & Evaluation
Concentration Specific Courses (5.5 Credit Hours)
- Public Health and Biopsychosocial Primary Care
- Advanced Epidemiology OR Advanced Biostatistics
Medical School Courses for MPH Credit (6.5 Credit Hours)
- Population Health for Physicians
- Clinical Bioethics
- Patients to Populations or FRMI
- FRMII EBM Component
Applied Practice Experience (3 Credit Hours)
Elective(s) (Minimum of 3 Credit Hours)
Integrative Learning Experience - Comprehensive Exam
In their final semester of the MPH study, students take a comprehensive exam – an integrative learning experience – that incorporates all of the coursework and subject matter they have learned in the program.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants will submit their AMCAS application indicating the combined MD/MPH degree option and follow the regular AMCAS application process and requirements outlined on the College of Medicine admissions homepage (keep hyperlink).
Once AMCAS applications are verified, applicants will be asked to complete a supplemental application with an MPH essay, a statement of purpose describing interests, previous coursework or experiences related to public health, and future career plans, and one (1) additional letter of recommendation. Students who believe their existing letters of recommendation likely speak to public health interest may ask to waive the additional letter requirement, and refer to letters submitted as part of the AMCAS application. The Admissions Staff may request an additional letter if more evidence of public health interest is required. It is acceptable to receive supplementary additional comments from individuals who have already written a letter of recommendation for AMCAS, but the letter needs to be specific to suitability for, and interest in, public health.
- Deadline to apply to AMCAS: October 15th
- Deadline for a complete application: December 1st
- Deadline for current MD students who wish to apply: April 30th
Current Upstate MD students who wish to apply to the MD/MPH program during their second year of Medical School should follow these instructions:
- Go to My Upstate
- Click on the Home tab
- Click on Apply for Another Upstate Program
- Click on Complete or Update Application
- Complete and Submit Application to the MPH Program
Students who wish to pursue the MD/MPH joint degree program take a leave of absence from the MD program to pursue their MPH studies for a year. This typically occurs between the second and third years of medical school.
Students applying MUST obtain a letter of good standing from the Dean of the College of Medicine. This process should be initiated via email with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education. The request should be made by January of the academic year prior to beginning MPH study. Once the request is made, the letter of good standing will be submitted to the Admissions Office by the Curriculum Office. Under no circumstances will a MD student be permitted to enroll in MPH course work without the letter of good standing.
Current Upstate students are not required to submit transcripts unless any courses have been completed at another college since the time of your original application.