Public Health

The Master of Public Health

The DO-MPH Program

Temple University's Department of Public Health and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) have created a program whereby medical students may obtain a Masters in Public Health (MPH) while they complete the DO program. This degree combination will enhanced careers in medicine by enabling physicians to better understand and address the social, behavioral and environmental factors that influence the health and health practices of their patients. Additional benefits include new career opportunities and access to a broader base of external funding.

The combined DO-MPH degree program interweaves the medical school curriculum and the public health curriculum so that medical students will add only one year to their medical school experience. Medical students will begin the MPH curriculum during the summer after their first year of medical school and complete the program on a part-time basis throughout the four years at PCOM.

MPH Degree Requirements for Dual Degree Students in Osteopathic Medicine

27 semester hours [9 courses] of required courses
3 semester hours [1 course] of elective coursework approved by advisor
9 semester hours of Fieldwork-Practicum in conjunction with a field placement
Dual degree students receive 6 semester hours (2 courses) of credit towards the elective requirement of the MPH based on their medical schoolwork. As such, the dual degree program is an efficient way for students to complete the two degrees.

In the Fieldwork-Practicum, students complete an in-depth community-based project in one of a wide range of approved local health agencies in order to gain experience in applying skills acquired in the academic program, including epidemiological assessment of health problems, program development, data management and analysis, and program evaluation.