DO/MPH-Dual Degree Option

The primary goal of the DO/MPH program is to provide clinical professionals with specialized public health training to develop, integrate, and apply culturally competent social, psychological, and biomedical approaches to the promotion and preservation of health. Physicians with training in public health may work in a wide range of positions in public, private, or academic settings. The MPH degree offers the physician a significant advantage when seeking jobs that involve planning and managing health systems, performing clinical research, determining the causes of disease, or planning and implementing disease control strategies. Physicians with the MPH degree work in health departments, federal agencies, managed care and other health provider organizations, schools of public health and medicine, in the private practice arena, and in many other federal and international agencies.

This 42 semester credit hour program is an interdisciplinary degree that provides education and training for professionals in any field who want to strengthen their general knowledge and skills in public health. Ultimately, graduates of this program will contribute to the expansion and enhancement of a competent public health workforce that is advancing the well-being of Texas’ citizens and beyond. Students in the Public Health Leadership Online program will specifically strengthen their knowledge and skills in public health through the following areas:

Health Management and Policy

Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations.
Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.
Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.

Professionalism

Apply basic principles of ethical analysis (e.g., the Public Health Code of Ethics, human rights framework, other moral theories) to issues of public health practice and policy.
Distinguish between population and individual ethical considerations in relation to the benefits, costs, and burdens of public health programs.

Leadership

Recognize the attributes of leadership in public health.
Describe the alternative strategies for collaboration and partnership among organizations, focused on public health goals.

Part-time Students work with advisors in both programs to arrange an enrollment plan arranging MPH classes around TCOM heavy periods. Students take 1 course in an 8 week period.

5 Starts a Year Online classes take place in 5 sessions of 8 weeks each year. Those sessions are:

• Fall I
• Fall II
• Spring I
• Spring II
• Summer

Flexible Program Work is divided by week and students must keep in pace with the weekly schedule. Class activity – content review, discussion boards, and written assignments – often require going online to participate in the class multiple times each week. We recommend students be prepared to spend 12-15 hours a week on each course due to the accelerated pace. Make changes to your progress as needed. Our online program allows students to easily stop out for a term or two should work or life changes make it necessary.

Co-Curricular Programs Students are required to participate in 4 hours of co-curricular programming each 8-week session. Events interlude opportunities in career preparation, cross-discipline collaboration, and self-care programs. Activities are coordinated and participation tracked by the SPH Office of Academic Services.

Community Service Students are encouraged to complete 2 hours of community service each month they are active in SPH classes. Faculty, staff and students in the School of Public Health regularly contribute their talents and skills to support solutions for a healthier community. Service work can be completed with current organization relationships or opportunities in the DFW area are regularly provided by the Office of Academic Services. The Associate Dean for Community Engagement will send communications for reporting and tracking of any volunteer activities each term.

Practicum experience is arranged by students and advised by graduate faculty. Students local to the Fort Worth and DFW area may take advantage of UNTHSC relationships in the local community. Students in other locations will be coached on how to connect with potential practicum sites, to develop their project goals, and to gain the most from their practicum experience. Practicum experiences often last 6 months to 1 year and include about 600 hours from conception to completion.  Students who have substantial prior professional experience that aligns with MPH competencies may apply for a waiver of up to 300 of these hours.

Total program tuition and fees cost estimates are available via the Office of Student Finance. Note the available pre-calculated charts by college and degree plan.

UNTHSC administers federal, state and institutional financial aid programs including scholarships, loans and college work study. Contact the office of Financial Aid at: finaid@unthsc.edu or 817-735-2505

We’re glad you have questions. Graduate school is a big step and requires careful consideration. You’re always welcome to email or call us for answers, but for your convenience, we’ve curated our responses to the most common questions from our applicants. You may view our “Frequently Asked Questions” page by following this link: unthscstaging.wpengine.com/college-of-public-health/faq.