An MPH dual degree can save time and money by letting students count classes towards two separate degrees. However, dual programs come with stringent admission requirements because applicants must be approved by two separate professional schools. Plus, these programs offer limited flexibility as enrollees usually follow a strict class schedule. Is pairing an MPH with a second degree worth the loss of freedom? Here are three of the most popular dual degrees in public health so readers can decide for themselves.
MPH/JD
A dual MPH/JD degree is the perfect choice for lawyers who know they want to work in the healthcare field. This could mean pursuing medical malpractice claims as a private attorney, serving as a staff attorney at a large hospital or healthcare network or entering government service. Students typically take a year off from law school to complete a one-year MPH. Under this system, it’s possible to complete a JD in just five semesters instead of the usual six, but there will be few electives available in either degree program. For many students, limited choices are a small price to pay for saving an entire semester’s worth of student loans. Because graduates are eligible to become licensed attorneys and practice any area of law, JD/MPH students are locked into a health-related career. The other two popular dual degrees don’t offer that flexibility.
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MPH/MD or MPH/DO
Physicians treat only individual patients. Public health teaches a broader focus. For aspiring doctors who want to heal entire communities, advocate in the public arena or promote national health campaigns, an MPH/MD program can give the necessary skills. It also creates opportunities for future employment in the non-profit and civil sector. Many physicians working for large health organizations, like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) supplemented their medical education with an MPH. Dual degree MPH and medical programs offer public health classes around the medical school schedule; for example, students can take public health summer classes during the break between the first and second years of medical school. According to the American Medical Student Association, it is easier to enroll in a dual-degree program than taking time off from medical school to pursue an MPH.
MSN/MPH
Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) and MPH dual programs combine hands-on nursing skills with the policy expertise of an MPH. Graduates will become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) by studying to become nurse practitioners, midwives or clinical nurse specialists. Typically, students complete a one-year MPH then enroll full-time in a nursing master’s degree. Because an MSN requires intense clinical training, it’s difficult for students to split their attention between nursing and public health studies. Some online programs are available for non-clinical MSN specialties like healthcare leadership. Applicants must have a solid academic background in statistics and the natural sciences plus a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN).
For professionals who know their desired career paths, dual degrees streamline the time between enrollment and graduation. For students who aren’t certain of their post-graduation plans, an MPH dual degree may be too specialized.
