M.D./M.P.H. Program
A joint program leading to the Master of Public Health in addition to the Doctor of Medicine is offered in conjunction with the University of Connecticut’s Graduate School
Program in Public Health. The joint program has been developed to better prepare future physicians to deal effectively and creatively with the rapidly changing environment of medicine and
health care. Students interested in broadening and deepening their understanding of health beliefs, health care systems, health care disparities, health care competency across different
population bases, epidemiology, biostatics, international health, and evidenced based medicine often look to the School of Public Health for additional background coursework and experience.
Students intent on developing a specialized expertise in Public Health are interested in bringing this much broader preparation to enhance their clinical skills to improve clinical practice.
Students pursuing the combined program are often interested in assuming leadership roles within their communities regarding access and quality of health care provided. Students envision
utilizing a combined program in a life-long career that includes a fulfilling career as a central figure in health systems administration or research in public health.
Sponsored by the Department of Community Medicine and Health Care, the Public Health Program is among the few nationally accredited M.P.H. programs that are based within the
School of Medicine. The Public Health curriculum covers the core public health disciplines (social and behavioral sciences, health care administration, health law, epidemiology, and
biostatistics) and includes electives in health services organization and policy, health research methods and a number of topical areas. Course instructors include full-time faculty from the
School of Medicine, other University of Connecticut Graduate School faculty, and public health practitioners.
M.D./M.P.H. applicants must first apply to the School of Medicine following the normal application procedures. Applicants applying for entry to the School of Medicine indicate
on the supplemental application that they are interested in applying for the combined M.D./M.P.H. program. If the applicant is selected for interview for the School of medicine, the applicant
may request to interview with a member of the Public Health faculty or program staff in addition to completing the standard interview schedule for the School of Medicine. Before being
considered for admission to the combined program, the applicant must first be accepted by the School of Medicine.
Upon acceptance to the School of Medicine, the applicant contacts the
Assistant Dean for Medical School Admission to initiate the formal application to the School of Public Health. All medical school application materials are provided to the School of Public
Health at the applicant’s request. In addition, the School of Public Health ordinarily requires a personal statement from the applicant indicating the applicant’s interest in the program and
how the applicant envisions putting this specialized training to use in his or her career in medicine. Financial support is typically available to cover the fixed educational expenses for the
M.P.H. portion of the student’s combined degree program. Students are counseled to commit to a fifth year of study to concentrate on the public health component of the combined program. The
School of Medicine and Public Health advisors work closely with each student to maximize the experience and the placement of the Public Health emphasis in the context of the student’s entire
medical school and public health training experience.
Interested students are encouraged to access the Graduate School Public Health website, to talk with the Director of Admission for the Public Health Program, the Assistant Dean
for Admissions of the School of Medicine, and the faculty liaison/coordinator for M.D./M.P.H. studies. It is also important to note that the University is moving forward with several public
health, strategic plan initiatives through the Center for Public Health and Health Policy. This Center will continue to develop amazing opportunities for students interested in developing
significant expertise and leadership within the discipline of Public Health.
Contacts
- Keat Sanford, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Medical School Admissions
- Joan Segal, Director of Admissions, Masters of Public Health Program
- Judy Lewis, Coordinator for Combined M.D./M.P.H. studies
- David Gregoria, Ph.D., Chair and Program Director, Community Medicine and Health Care and Masters of Public Health Program
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