Available exclusively to current WashU Medicine students, students earn an MPH with one additional year of study. Students apply to the MPH program during their third year in the MD program (Gateway Phase 2).
The MPH/MD dual-degree program is designed to train physicians with knowledge and skills to recognize, analyze and address health problems at a population level. Students learn to identify the social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants of health, and they prepare to apply evidence-based approaches to disease prevention, health promotion and health policy.
Recommended course sequence
Years 1 through 3 of the MPH/MD program are within WashU Medicine, and 11-12 credits are applied toward the MPH degree. During the summer of their third year, students begin study at WashU Public Health for the course of a calendar year (Year 4). Students return to WashU Medicine for their fifth year.
41 credits across summer 1, fall, spring and summer 2 semesters. Classes may include:
- Foundations of Public Health courses (15 credits)
- MPH Research Methods (3 credits)
- Cross-Cutting Themes in Public Health (1 credit)
- Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Evidence-Based Programs and Interventions (3 credits)
- Advanced Applied Linear Modeling (3 credits)
- Transdisciplinary Problem Solving in Public Health (3 credits)
- MPH practicum (3 credits)
- MPH capstone (2 credits)
Fieldwork and internship opportunities
Students complete 360 hours of fieldwork, known as practicum, in the spring or summer of their MPH year. Students select their own practicum site with guidance from faculty in the Office of Student Applied Practice.
Tuition structure
Tuition and fee charges are based on the division of the student’s primary, full-time enrollment, which varies by semester and is referred to as the student’s prime division.
When enrolled at WashU Medicine, students are assessed tuition according to the WashU Medicine tuition structure, and can receive WashU Medicine scholarships. For the remaining semesters, students are prime to WashU Public Health, are assessed tuition according to WashU Public Health’s tuition structure, and can receive WashU Public Health scholarships.
Apply
WashU Medicine students wishing to add the MPH should apply through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for public health, no later than March 1. Select the MPH/MD program designation under Washington University in St. Louis – School of Public Health within the SOPHAS portal.