Dual Degree: Master of Public Health and Doctor of Medicine

Plan Description

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program emphasizes the basics of medicine: communication, physical exam and diagnosis, clinical skills, advanced clinical reasoning and interpretation, professionalism, and ethics using technologically advanced tools and genomic data to foster medical student learning. Overall, the curriculum is community-focused, but places great importance on relationships through faculty to student mentorship, extensive experience with healthcare professionals in the delivery of primary care and longitudinal patient-centered care, in addition to immersion in community service projects and initiatives. Students will directly apply their learning in the service of others, providing compassionate care in collaboration with many other health professionals including: physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, physical therapists, social workers, occupational therapists, and other community practitioners in the pursuit of providing the best patient outcomes and satisfaction.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Program is designed to prepare students to be Public Health professionals in the private and public sectors with the overall goal of promoting and protecting the health of individuals in our society.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Program also offers a fully online option, detailed below.

Educational Objectives: The purpose of the School of Public Health is to prepare individuals to become effective public health practitioners, health professionals, healthcare managers and administrators who will competently engage with communities to identify public health needs, develop effective mechanisms to address those needs, and translate services and interventions into actions for the protection of human health. The School of Public Health is actively involved in education, research, and outreach programs in public health; we strive to be nationally recognized as innovative, comprehensive in nature and scope, cooperative in character, and to ensure that graduates can serve as catalysts to promote population health in Nevada, the nation, and the world. 

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.  

Plan Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application in the Grad Rebel Gateway and non-refundable application fee. 
2. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
   1. Post-Master’s tracks require a regionally accredited Master’s degree.
3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits). 
4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
   1. Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

Department Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MPH/MD program must submit formal applications for admission to both the School of Medicine and to the School of Public Health.

Students must meet the requirements for admission to both programs.

Admissions requirements are the same as those stated under the MD and MPH programs.

Contact the UNLV School of Medicine and the School of Public Health for further information on admissions requirements.

Applications from current students in either program will be considered.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

Total credits required: 225

Doctor of Medicine - Plan Requirements

Total Credits: 178

Please refer to the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV for more information about requirements for the MD.

Master of Public Health - Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Social and Behavioral Health Track

Subplan 2: Environmental and Occupational Health Track

Subplan 3: Health Care Administration and Policy Track

Subplan 4: Biostatistics and Epidemiology Track

Subplan 5: Generalist Track - Online

MPH Degree Requirements

MPH degree requirements:

1. Completion of a minimum of 35 credits of MPH (with 12 credits from medical school) and up to 47 credits (with 0 credits from medical school).
2. A grade point average of at least a 3.0 must be maintained in all courses required for the degree; no grade less than a B in any course is acceptable for curricular completion of the program.
3. In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

MPH Graduation Requirements

MPH Graduation Requirements:

Students must receive prior approval from their committee before registering for any capstone experience. Successfully complete and defend a professional paper by the posted deadline.

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.