overview

The MD/MPH Program between The UT School of Medicine at San Antonio (UTSOMSA) and the University of Texas School of Public Health (UTSPH) San Antonio Regional Campus (SARC) in collaboration with the Brownsville Regional Campus (BRC) aims to prepare a new generation of health professionals to integrate medical and public health skills in their future professional lives as practitioners, researchers or administrators. The goal is to teach medical students the skills to improve population health while also providing excellent individual medical care.

The dual degree program provides an avenue for students to concurrently enroll in both degree programs so that duplication in course content is minimized, academic interactions are more efficient, and the time and costs incurred are reduced compared to earning the degrees independently. Students in the MD/MPH program are separately enrolled in both Universities. Shared crediting of some coursework makes it possible for students to complete both degrees in 4 years. Progress and academic standing in one program does not affect progress in the other program, although shared credit is only granted for courses satisfactorily completed.

Options

Students may choose to extend the program and take more than 4 years to complete the MPH. In some circumstances students may take a year away from their medical studies. Alternatively, if students complete the required core courses (typically 16 hours) and are unable to complete other program requirements, they may opt to withdraw from the MPH program and earn the Certificate in Public Health.

Coursework

MPH coursework begins the summer before matriculation to UTSOMA. Registration is in April and online classes begin near the end of May. We do NOT recommend travel abroad unless you are certain you have reliable, hi-speed internet. Postponing coursework until spring of MS1 may put you at risk of not graduating on time.

MPH courses are offered at the SARC campus, via ITV, and online. Students electing to complete all or part of their 3rd and 4th year of medical school at the Lower Rio Grande Valley RAHC can take MPH courses at the BRC.