Curious about medical careers in public health practice? Check out this discussion featuring some of Alabama’s leaders in public health to learn more.
The coordinated Doctor of Medicine (MD) / Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is offered jointly through the UAB School of Public Health (SOPH) and the UAB Heersink School of Medicine (HSOM). Students in this program earn an MPH with a concentration in Population Health, providing a solid foundation in public health through completion of the MPH core (based on the Evidence-Based Public Health framework), an Applied Practice Experience (Internship), and an Integrative Learning Experience (Capstone).
In this individualized concentration, students select from among master’s-level public health courses (e.g., maternal and child health, chronic disease epidemiology, health policy) to build a unique curriculum aligned with their career goals. Specialized advising is provided to assist students in designing their individualized curriculum.
This complementary degree equips future physicians with a broader understanding of community and global health issues, including disease epidemiology, health behaviors, environmental and occupational factors, and the social, legal, and ethical contexts that shape health outcomes.
Why Choose an MPH During Your MD?
Pursuing an MPH alongside your MD provides a powerful combination of clinical expertise and population health training, giving you a competitive edge in the evolving healthcare landscape.
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Broaden Your Perspective
The MD/MPH program develops a population-level understanding of health, disease, and social determinants, that may complement your individual patient care skills. You learn to analyze patterns of morbidity and mortality in communities, understand environmental and behavioral risk factors, and address health inequities with evidence-based strategies.
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Prepare for a Competitive Job Market
Graduates of MD/MPH programs are increasingly sought after in a healthcare system shifting toward value-based, population-focused care. Career opportunities include roles in:
- State and local health departments
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Research and clinical leadership positions in health plans or healthcare systems
- Academic medicine, including top-tier institutions and public health-focused clinical practice
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Develop Critical Skills for Leadership and Research
The program equips you with the skills to:
- Analyze scientific evidence and practice evidence-based medicine, including interpreting data, understanding confounding and selection biases, and applying biostatistical concepts such as risk, odds ratios, and number needed to treat/harm.
- Lead initiatives in quality improvement and population health management, using insights from epidemiology and public health to implement effective interventions at both individual and community levels.
- Evaluate and implement health policy, finance, and delivery system strategies, aligning with the needs of value-based care and population-focused healthcare systems.
- Apply epidemiology, data analytics, and health behavior principles, including cohort, case-control, and randomized controlled study designs, to improve patient and community outcomes.
- A stronger ability to read, understand, and apply the medical literature to patient care.
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Align with Modern Medical Education Standards
Gain expertise in public health and epidemiology concepts increasingly included in USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 and other medical licensing exams. This training covers study design interpretation, biostatistics, disease measures (incidence, prevalence), and integrating clinical scenarios with population health principles, highlighting the growing need for MDs to have formal public health training
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Efficient and Flexible
Earn both degrees in reduced time and at reduced cost through coordinated coursework, with options for online or in-person formats.
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Community Impact
Combine clinical insight with public health strategies to address disparities and improve health outcomes at every level of the socio-ecological model.
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References
- Reilly, J. M., Plepys, C. M., & Cousineau, M. R. (2021). Dual MD–MPH degree students in the United States: Moving the medical workforce toward population health. Public Health Reports, 136(5), 640‑647. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354920978422
- Stellman JM, Cohen S, Rosenfield A. Evaluation of a one-year Masters of Public Health program for medical students between their third and fourth years. Acad Med. 2008;83(4):365-370. doi:10.1097/01.ACM.0b013e318166af00
- Morris, S. (2013, September 17). Consider a master of public health in addition to an M.D. US News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/2013/09/17/consider-a-master-of-public-health-in-addition-to-an-md
- Kantak, S. (2017). Integrating public health into primary care. California Family Physician, 68(3), 28–29.
- Krousel-Wood, M., He, J., Booth, M., et al. (2012). Formal public health education and career outcomes of medical school graduates. PLoS ONE, 7(6), e39020. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0039020
- Ghajar, M. (2017, January 11). 4 applicants who would benefit from an MD–MPH program. US News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/2017-01-11/4-applicants-who-would-benefit-from-an-md-mph-program
- McFarland, S. L., Meyers, P., Sautter, R., Honsvall, A., & Prunuske, J. (2016). Medical student decision making regarding pursuit of a public health degree. Family Medicine, 48(3), 203–211.
Curriculum
Students may complete the MPH portion of this program fully online or through a hybrid format.
Normally, 42 credit hours are required for the MPH; however, 12 hours from the MD curriculum are credited toward the MPH, allowing students to earn both degrees in reduced time and at lower cost.
Program Options:
- Four-Year Option: Begin MPH coursework the summer before starting medical school and continue alongside MD studies.
- Five-Year Option: Take a one-year leave from medical school to focus solely on MPH coursework.
Download Sample Curriculum Planning Sheet
Graduation Requirements & Applied Practice Experience
To graduate, MD/MPH students must:
- Complete the MPH core courses.
- Complete an Applied Practice Experience (internship) in a public health or community setting relevant to career goals.
- Complete an Integrative Learning Experience (Capstone) synthesizing MPH competencies.
- Maintain good academic standing and meet total MPH credit requirements (30 credits).
These experiences prepare students to apply population health principles directly to medical and community practice.
Cost and Tuition
Tuition and fees are set by the UAB Graduate School and School of Public Health. Rates vary by residency status and delivery format. Because 12 credit hours are transferred from the MD curriculum, students typically only need to complete 30 MPH credit hours. Additional university fees, books, and living expenses apply. Students should confirm current rates at uab.edu/cost-aid.
Admission
Applicants must be admitted to the MD program before being considered for the MD/MPH program. Students may:
- Apply to both programs simultaneously,
- Apply to the MPH after matriculating to medical school, or
- Transfer into the coordinated program after MPH admission.
Once accepted to the MD program, students are automatically eligible for the MPH upon submission of the UAB Graduate School MPH application. Eligibility will be confirmed with the Heersink School of Medicine.
Application Instructions:
Select “Public Health (MPH)” → “On-Ground” format → “Public Health and Medical Doctor” concentration. Students transferring from another degree or department should meet with the program manager prior to petitioning to switch programs.
Program Leadership and Contact Information
Program Director
Luz A. Padilla, MD, MSPH
Program Director
UAB School of Public Health
Email: lpadilla@uabmc.edu
Director’s Message:
“The MD/MPH program prepares students to improve health outcomes for both individuals and communities. Graduates develop the skills to analyze scientific evidence, practice evidence-based medicine, and lead initiatives that address population health challenges. This coordinated degree equips students to implement interventions, influence healthcare delivery, and promote equity, ultimately making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and the broader community.”
For additional information concerning the coordinated MD/MPH program contact the School of Public Health at soph@uab.edu.