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Dual degree programs in The University of Texas School of Public Health are designed so that the curricula of both degrees are integrated to the extent possible. Through these programs students are able to complete both degrees in a shorter time period than doing each separately.

Students in the dual degree program must be admitted separately to each institution and must meet the requirements of each institution for its respective degree. Admission to one program does not assure admission to the other. Students in the dual degree program will receive a diploma from each degree program after meeting the individual requirements of each program. 

Click here for information on how to apply to the Dual Degree Programs.

Students interested in health law and policy may study concurrently for a Master of Public Health degree from the School and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center.  

When possible and appropriate, the student’s coursework at the two institutions is coordinated to provide a curriculum that integrates law with public health sciences. Students admitted to both institutions may transfer credits between institutions for appropriate coursework. However, prior approval is required, and the procedures of the institution receiving the academic credits must be followed. Typically, a student in the dual degree program develops a culminating experience (CE) dealing with a legal issue affecting the public’s health. The CE should demonstrate the student’s mastery of the analytical methods used in public health and how these methods assist with the development of public health policy.

Contact:
Carl S. Hacker, PhD, JD
Carl.S.Hacker@uth.tmc.edu  

Medical students at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston may apply for the five-year integrated MD/MPH Program. Students spend the fall and spring semesters at the School of Public Health at Houston after the first, second, or third medical school year. Interested students may apply early (as soon as possible after medical school acceptance) so that they can enroll in online classes during the summer before they begin medical school. This facilitates completion of the requisite hours needed for graduation. Students may also apply to the dual degree program after they have begun medical school, but this may lengthen the MPH program beyond five years. 

The usual application procedures and deadlines should be followed for Dual Degree programs at the School of Public Health, in consultation with the Medical School’s Associate Dean for Educational Programs.

Contact:
Jan M. Risser, PhD
Jan.M.Risser@uth.tmc.edu

This four-year dual degree program is designed for students attending medical school at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Students are advised to complete two public health core courses in the summer prior to medical school. The remaining public health courses are completed during the four-year medical curriculum with the option of a fifth year for those finding the four-year curriculum too demanding. The dual degree program is integrated so that a number of courses and learning experiences in the medical school are counted toward the MPH degree program.

Students applying to the dual degree program must only fill out  the UTSPH Dual Degree Application. However, early applications will be accepted so that an admissions decision may be made prior to the applicant’s selection of one of The University of Texas medical schools.

For more information about the MD/MPH program in San Antonio, download the MD/MPH San Antonio Program Guide. 

Contact:
Sharon P. Cooper, PhD                            Joseph B. McCormick, MD
Sharon.P.Cooper@uth.tmc.edu                 Joseph.B.McCormick@uth.tmc.edu

The University of Texas School of Public Health (UTSPH) in conjunction with Baylor College of Medicine offers students the opportunity to obtain a MPH degree along with their medical doctorate degree. Usually, a student earns both degrees in five years of full time study. Students should apply to the UTSPH at the same time as the medical school, although application decisions will be considered separately. During the first 3 years of medical school, the MPH curriculum is integrated with the standard medical school curriculum. The 4^th year is spent primarily at the School of Public Health with students returning to the medical school for the 5^th and final year. Students may also apply to the dual degree program after they have begun medical school, but this may lengthen the MPH program beyond five years. 

Contact:
Linda Piller, MD
Linda.B.Piller@uth.tmc.edu

MD/MPH Program (El Paso)

This four-year dual degree program is designed for students attending medical school at The Texas Tech Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Students are advised to complete two public health core courses in the summer prior to medical school. The remaining public health courses are completed during the four-year medical curriculum with the option of a fifth year for those finding the four-year curriculum too demanding. The dual degree program is integrated so that a number of courses and learning experiences in the medical school are counted toward the MPH degree program. The program prepares future health professionals to integrate medical and public health skills into practice, research and academia. Students are admitted separately to each school and successful completion of the degree requirements will receive a diploma from each school.

Contact:
Theresa Byrd, DrPH
Theresa.L.Byrd@uth.tmc.edu

MSN/MPH Program

Students wishing to pursue concurrent MSN and MPH degrees may apply to the integrated program available through the School of Public Health (SPH) and The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston (SON). Those interested in the program must be admitted separately to each School and must meet the admission and degree requirements of each School. Students admitted to the integrated program, however, can meet the requirements of both degree programs with fewer credit hours than if the degrees were earned separately and may submit a single thesis. Students enrolled in this program will emphasize public health skills at SPH, clinical skills at the SON, and the combining of these skills through courses that are taught by faculty from both schools. Students who are contemplating entering the dual degree program are strongly encouraged to seek further information before applying.

Contact:
Beth E. Quill, MPH
Beth.E.Quill@uth.tmc.edu

Public health and social work professionals deal with complex and mutually reinforcing health and social problems and with their assessment, prevention, and reduction in individuals and populations. The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston and the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work have developed a dual degree MSW/MPH degree program to address these concerns.  

Both degree programs require completion of specific courses and acquisition of specific competencies, but each will give academic credit for a limited number of courses completed at the other institution. The development of specific academic programs, and scheduling of courses, field work, and practica for individual students are guided by advisory committees which include faculty from both institutions.

Contact:
Michael W. Ross, PhD, MPH
Michael.W.Ross@uth.tmc.edu

Public health and social work professionals have complementary interests in understanding and improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations. Interested students may study for a Master’s in Public Health from The University of Texas School of Public Health Regional Campus in Austin and a Master’s of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. Students are expected to integrate the knowledge and learning experiences through shared credit courses as well as practicum and culminating (thesis) experiences. Students will work with an advisory committee that includes faculty from both institutions. This program offers students an opportunity to integrate their studies in social work and public health, while minimizing duplication in course content and reducing the time and costs that are associated with pursuing each degree independently. The integrated program is designed as a three-year course of study.

Contact:
Cheryl Perry, PhD                           Alexandra Evans, PhD
Cheryl.L.Perry@uth.tmc.edu             Alexandra.E.Evans@uth.tmc.edu 

The MS/MPH and the PhD/MPH dual degree programs combine the MPH from the School of Public Health with the MS or PhD degree from The University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences at Houston. The training and curriculum in the dual degree program is designed to provide students and future leaders in public health with the necessary skills to be leaders in the field of Public Health Informatics. The dual degree program provides an integrated curriculum that includes a number of shared courses as well as a practicum experience and/or the thesis topic in the area of public health informatics. The selection of specific academic programs and scheduling of specific courses, field work, and practica for individual students is guided by an advisory committee, which includes faculty from both institutions.

Students in the dual degree program must be admitted separately to each institution and must meet the requirements of each institution for its respective degree. Admission to one program does not assure admission to the other. Students in the dual degree program will receive a diploma from each degree program after meeting the individual requirements of each program.

Contact:
Keith D. Burau, PhD
Keith.D.Burau@uth.tmc.edu

The Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) dual degree program is a collaborative effort between the Brownsville Regional Campus of The University of Texas School of Public Health and The University of Texas at Brownsville Texas Southmost College. The MBA/MPH graduate degree program is designed to prepare students from many different academic backgrounds, experiences, and interests for careers in the fields of public health, health services, research, policy development, economics, business, management, and operations. This program provides opportunities to gain advanced knowledge and skills needed to assume upper level management and leadership positions in a broad range of health and business related industries and career tracks. The curriculum is specifically designed to provide students a breadth and depth of academic knowledge and perspective, supported through classroom and practice-based experiences. The MBA/MPH program is available only through the UTSPH Brownsville Regional Campus.

Contact:
Joseph McCormick, MD
Joseph.B.McCormick@uth.tmc.edu

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) is a collaborative effort between The University of Texas Medical Branch and The University of Texas School of Public Health.  The PhD/MPH combines the research degree in the biomedical sciences with valuable training in the public health disciplines. Professionals trained in both areas will be prepared to pursue careers in varied health-related fields including academia, governmental agencies, biotech firms, pharmaceutical corporations, law, and public health.

Contact:
Kristy Murray, DVM, PhD
Kristy.O.Murray@uth.tmc.edu

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