Combined Degrees

The Tulane University School of Medicine, in conjunction with the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, offers combined, or dual, degree programs. Medical students may earn either the MPH, MSPH, MPH&TM or PHD degree while studying for their medical degree.

MD/MPH

The masters degree in public health or in tropical medicine requires a student to be enrolled in both the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. These combined degree programs are designed as four year programs, thus allowing medical students to complete both the public health and medical degrees in the same four years. While not required, students interested in studying in either of these combined degree programs are encouraged to begin their public health studies during the summer prior to entry into medical school. Additional information can be obtained from the MD/MPH program office.

MD/PhD

Students interested in earning the PhD and MD degrees must enroll in both the Graduate Program in Biomedical Science and the School of Medicine. There are two programs leading towards the PhD degree: MD/PhD Dual Degree Program and the Physician/Scientist Program (PSP).

Entry into the PSP requires students to be accepted in both doctoral programs prior to beginning their medical studies. Two students, with exceptional academic credentials and prior research experience, will be accepted into this program each year. Accepted students receive a fellowship that covers medical and graduate school tuition costs. In addition, during the Graduate School portion of their studies, the students will receive a stipend. Accepted students should be prepared to begin their graduate studies during the summer prior to entry into medical school. It is mandatory that accepted students complete both the PhD and MD degree.

The MD/PhD Dual Degree Program can be entered into anytime after beginning medical school studies, but it is suggested that interested students apply for entry into the Graduate Program no later than prior to the beginning of their third year of medical studies.

HEAL-X

Applicants who hold a PhD degree in one of the biomedical sciences are invited to apply to Tulane School of Medicine for the new PhD to MD program. Learn more »

MD/MBA

In 2004, Tulane initiated a 5-year combined MD/MBA program with cooperation from the School of Medicine and the Freeman School of Business. Students in the combined program save a year of training when compared to getting both degrees separately. Scholarship Aid is available for qualified MD students pursuing the additional MBA degree. The goals of the program are to train physicians with expertise in management practice and principles, expertise in marketing practice and principles, and expertise in financial management. Students typically apply to the combined program during their 3rd year of medical school after taking the GMAT exam. Accepted students spend the fourth year of the program in the Freeman School. The 5th year of the program is divided between the medical school and the Freeman School. Although not specific to the health care sector, students in the combined program are able to use their clinical experiences gained from their third year of medical school to effectively participate in teams formed as part of the business curriculum.

Students in the combined program complete 45 credit hours at the Freeman School. This includes required core classes including 9 credit hours focusing on the basic practice of management including Strategic Management, Enterprise Valuation, Marketing Planning and Implementation and New Venture Planning. Students also complete a Global Leadership Module including 9 credit hours covering markets in the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia. An included component of the Global Leadership Modules are international trips where students get first hand experiences abroad.

Students also have the opportunity to take elective courses in the Freeman School to further their education in areas of finance, strategic management and leadership.

Students completing the MD/MBA program are expected to have the skills and experiences to function as physician leaders in healthcare with particular expertise in management, marketing and finance.