M.D./M.P.H.
Prospective medical students with an interest in combining population health with clinical medicine to become successful physician/public health practitioners should consider pursuing the Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health (M.D./M.P.H.) dual degree at UT Southwestern Medical School and UT Southwestern Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health.
The M.D./M.P.H. dual degree program will give you the opportunity to gain strong methodological skills as an M.D. public health leader in:
- Health promotion
- Health economics and policy
- Data sciences
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health systems science
- Implementation science
A dual M.D./M.P.H. degree gives graduates the tools to address social determinants of health, have an impact on large populations through public health policies, and build a career researching public health issues that affect patients.
About the Program
Students can earn the dual degree in four years. The program is an integrated degree plan that combines traditional M.D. training with the M.P.H. curriculum and shared credits between the Medical School and the School of Public Health.
Students will work closely with faculty, staff, and administrators from both schools to develop an individualized degree plan.
The four-year degree plan is designed as a complementary program. M.P.H. coursework is concentrated in the two summers immediately preceding and following the first year of medical school to provide context on public health data, systems, and populations. The emphasis during the fall and spring of the first year is on the Medical School curriculum. See below for the Example Completion Plan.
Admissions Process
Students seeking admissions must meet the application requirements for both UT Southwestern Medical School and the M.P.H Program at the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health.
Applicants must apply and receive admittance to the M.D. program at UT Southwestern to be eligible for the M.P.H. Program. Start your application though our online portal, but DO NOT submit your application until you have received your acceptance into the UT Southwestern M.D. Program. Upon admittance to the M.D. program, we will send prospective students more information about the dual degree application process.
Students must complete a personal statement.
Your personal statement is a chance for us to get to know you and your academic and professional goals as a potential student in our program. In 1,000 words or less, please:
- State your reasons for pursuing an M.P.H.
- Clearly and concisely, describe your relevant public health experience.
- Indicate why you feel UT Southwestern might be a good fit for you.
Practicum Requirement / Applied Practice Experience (APE)
All M.P.H. students will complete three credit hours of a community service-learning experience toward their degree.
Students will work with their advisors to connect with UT Southwestern mentors and community partners for experiences focused on community engagement and practice.
Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)
The ILE represents the culmination of the M.P.H. program in which students demonstrate mastery of the concepts taught throughout the entire program.
Students will work with their advisors to choose foundational and concentration-specific aims that align with their professional and educational goals.
The ILE can take many forms, including:
- Practice-based project
- Essay-based comprehensive exam
- Capstone course
- Integrative seminar
All students will produce a scholarly paper as part of the ILE requirement.
Residency Specialties
Here are some of the specialties that our students pursue:
- Anesthesiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
- General Surgery
- Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Plastic Surgery
- Psychiatry
Past Residency Locations
Here are some programs where our graduates have matched:
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
- University of California Davis Medical Center
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Harvard Medical School
- Tufts Medical Center
- Albany Medical Center
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
- Duke University Hospital
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Baylor Scott & White
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas
- Children’s Health Dallas
- The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
- The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
- UT Health San Antonio
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals
- University of Washington School of Medicine
Curriculum
The M.P.H. program – 45 credits total:
- Core courses (18 credits)
- Shared credits from UT Southwestern Medical School (12 credits)
- Advanced public health coursework (9 credits)
Integrative learning experience (3 credits) - Practicum (3 credits)
Example Completion Plan
| Semester | M.D. Curriculum | M.P.H. Curriculum |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Prior to Medical School | ||
| 10 hours of M.P.H. core coursework: | ||
| Introduction to Programming and Software Packages | ||
| Introduction to Public Health Data | ||
| Introduction to Analysis of Public Health Data | ||
| Introduction to Health Systems Science | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | MS1 Curriculum | Seminar in Public Health Topics (0 credit hours) |
| Spring | MS1 Curriculum | 2 hours of M.P.H. coursework: Introduction to Leadership and Management |
| Summer | 12 hours of M.P.H. coursework: | |
| Practicum | ||
| Introduction to Health Promotion, Structure, and Agency | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | MS2 curriculum | 3 hours of M.P.H. coursework Social Determinants of Health |
| Spring | MS2 curriculum | No M.P.H coursework |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | MS3 curriculum | 3 hours of elective M.P.H. coursework (to be taken anytime during Year 3 or 4) |
| Spring | MS3 curriculum | No M.P.H. coursework |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | MS4 curriculum | 3 hours of M.P.H. Capstone or Thesis (taken upon completion of coursework during Year 3 or 4) |
| Spring | MS4 curriculum | No M.P.H. coursework |
Students may choose to leave the dual degree program to take a leave of absence or to extend the program to five years.
Financial Aid
Students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) document online beginning as early as October in the year prior to beginning their medical education. Students should indicate on the FAFSA that results must be sent to both schools: UT Southwestern Medical Center (school code 010019). For more information, see the Office of Financial Aid.
M.P.H. Course Delivery
M.P.H. coursework is offered in a hybrid format that is compatible with the M.D. curriculum. During first summer term, courses will be offered in an online format to allow for maximum flexibility. The remainder of the degree plan will include both hybrid and in-person learning experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of obtaining an M.D./M.P.H. degree?
An M.D./M.P.H. degree equips you with the unique ability to address health challenges at both individual and population levels. You will develop skills to identify patterns across patient populations and implement systemic solutions that extend beyond the exam room.
Can an M.D./M.P.H. help with residency applications?
Yes, an M.D./M.P.H. can strengthen your residency application by differentiating you from other candidates and demonstrating advanced skills in research methodology, health systems understanding, and leadership potential—qualities increasingly valued across all specialties as healthcare evolves toward more integrated and population-focused models.
Do I need to apply separately for the M.D. and M.P.H. programs?
Yes. Those interested in the dual degree M.D./M.P.H. program should apply to the O’Donnell School of Public Health after they have been admitted to UT Southwestern Medical School. Applicants may use the same Letters of Reference that were used for their medical school application.
Do I need public health experience before applying?
No, you do not need public health experience, but an application consistent with a medical school admission is expected.
Is the MCAT sufficient, or do I need to take the GRE for the M.P.H.?
The GRE is not required to apply for the M.D./M.P.H. program. However, if you have already taken the GRE and you are proud of your score, you are welcome to submit it to strengthen your application.
Can I apply for the M.P.H. after starting medical school?
Yes. Students who apply to the M.P.H. program after starting medical school may follow a 5-year pathway to earn an M.D./M.P.H. Students who apply to the M.P.H. program before starting medical school may follow either the 4-year or 5-year pathway for the combined degrees.
Will I have time for research or extracurricular activities?
Yes. With good time management skills, M.D./M.P.H. students may balance their studies with research or extracurricular activities; however, successful completion of both the M.D. and the M.P.H. requires strong study skills and commitment.
How much more does it cost to pursue an M.P.H. in addition to an M.D. degree? Are scholarships available?
You can find more information about the cost of attendance for the M.D./M.P.H. program here. Limited merit scholarships will be offered to promising students.
