Combined MD/Public Health Degree Programs

Do you want to drive change to improve population health, expand your public health knowledge and skills, open a wide range of career options, and enhance your leadership, policy, and quantitative abilities? 
Consider pursuing a Public Health degree while completing your MD at the George Washington University!
 

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and the Milken Institute School of Public Health (SPH) offer two combined degree programs to prepare clinician-leaders to help drive the changing health care landscape, improve broad health systems, promote the health of communities, and engage in scholarly inquiry.  MD students at GW have the option of earning an MD/Master of Public Health (MD/MPH) with one additional year of training or completing an MD/Graduate Certificate in Public Health (MD/Certificate) during the four years of medical school.

Both combined programs capitalize on the MD program’s inclusion of its clinical public health curriculum and take full advantage of GW’s location in the nation’s capital, with unique proximity to policymakers, agencies, and organizations engaged in all aspects of health and health care. Upon completion of either the MD/MPH or MD/Certificate, students may take the national certifying exam in public health (CPH).

MD/MPH

Why an MD/MPH?

MD students at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) can complete an MPH in just one additional year. MD/MPH students complete the MPH at GW’s Milken Institute School of Public Health (SPH) during a 1-year leave from SMHS between MS3 and MS4 years or after the MS4 year (4 years MD + 1 year MPH). The MD/MPH builds on the MD program’s Clinical Public Health curriculum, providing students with 15 credits toward the MPH for their MD studies. MD/MPH students complete 30 credits at SPH during 3 online 10-week terms, with the option of taking some residential courses. Students pursue a generalist MPH that equips them with a strong foundation in public health knowledge and skills, while offering a wide range of electives to tailor the degree to individual interests and career goals. Elective options include Health Policy Analysis, Climate Change & Health, Data Analytics, Global Health Research, Maternal & Child Health, and many others.

The MD/MPH is designed to provide maximum flexibility, allowing each student to shape the MPH year to best support their academic and professional priorities. Past students have completed a wide array of professionally enriching activities as part of their MPH: Conducted research that was presented at international conference; Awarded Cancer Epidemiology Education in Special Populations (CEESP) fellowship; Interned at White House Council on Environmental Quality; Engaged with DC communities to develop Accessible Activities in DC guide for children with special needs; Selected as SPH Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow; Successfully proposed policy change to hospital senior leaders; among other notable accomplishments. MD/MPH students have gone on to pursue diverse specialties, with residencies in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, OB/GYN, Family Medicine, Surgery (general and subspecialties), Radiology, and Anesthesiology.
 

Applying for the MD/MPH

Current MD Students:  MS3s may apply in December or March of their MS3 year, with MPH courses beginning July 1. Students who apply in December will receive their SPH decision prior to the January lottery allowing them to adjust their elective enrollment accordingly. After their MPH year, students resume their MD studies as an MS4, and can graduate with both the MD and MPH the following year if all requirements for both degrees are satisfied. MS4s may apply in March of their MS4 year, with MPH courses beginning July 1. These students can complete all MPH requirements in time for graduation with both the MD and MPH immediately after the MPH program, if all requirements for both degrees are satisfied.

Prospective MD Students: Applicants to GW’s MD program may apply directly to the MD/MPH program on their MD application. These “direct admit” students complete their MPH between MS3 and MS4 years, and have the option to enroll in an MD/MPH elective, “Topics in Public Health Practice,” during their MS1 and MS2 (preclinical) years.
 

MD/Certificate in Public Health

MS4s interested in enhancing their MD studies with additional public health skills while staying in the standard 4-year MD timeline may want to consider the MD/Graduate Certificate in Public Health. MD/Certificate students receive cross-crediting of 5 SPH credits for their MD studies, so complete the certificate by taking just 4 SPH courses. Students complete all SPH courses online during their 4th year, either all 4 courses in one 10-week term or 1-2 courses across several 10-week terms. All credits taken for the MD/Certificate can be applied toward the MD/MPH if students transfer during their 4-year MD program. MD/Certificate applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with start date options in each quarter (Jan, Apr, Jul, or Sept).

For more information about both programs visit the Milken Institute School of Public Health's Program Overview or contact the MD Public Health combined degree program at mdmph [at] gwu [dot] edu (mdmph[at]gwu[dot]edu). 

Apply Today! 

Important Dates - 2026-2027

SMHS Information Session: October 15, 2026: 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.

SMHS Orientation for Accepted Students: April 6, 2027: 6:30 -7:30 p.m.

Declaration of Intent Submission Deadline: April 12, 2027: 11:59 p.m

Burgess Loan Application Deadline: April 13, 2027: 11:59 p.m.

SPH Advising & Registration Session: April 15, 2027: 6:30 -7:30 p.m.

Deadline to Submit Registration Forms: April 22, 2027: 11:59 p.m.

Milken Institute SPH Classes Begin: July 1, 2027 (estimated)

Download the Combined MD/Public Health Degree Informational Flier 

FAQs

Who can apply for the Combined Degree Programs? What are the admission requirements?

There are three opportunities to apply for GW’s MD/MPH: when applying to GW’s MD program (direct admit) or while enrolled in GW’s MD program as an MS3 or as an MS4. Applicants are not required to take the GRE or to take the USMLE Step 1 or 2. Accepted students with less than a Passing Grade (Conditional, Fail) must remediate the grade prior to beginning the MPH. 

When do I start the program?

MS3 applicants and direct admit students begin their MPH on July 1 following their MD Year 3. MS4 applicants postpone their MD graduation for 1 year and begin the MPH on July 1 following their MD Year 4. Direct admit students also have the option of taking the “Topics in Public Health Practice” elective for the MD/MPH during their first- and second‐MD Years.

What are the differences in the MD/MPH for direct admit students compared to applying as an MS3?

Direct admit students have the option of taking the “Topics in Public Health Practice” elective during their preclinical years, but are not required to do so. The elective satisfies MD/MPH requirements; students who do not take the elective will complete these requirements during their MPH Year. In the Spring of their MD Year 3, direct admit students will accept or decline the opportunity to pursue the MPH. Students who wish to proceed with the MPH will begin MPH courses on July 1 following their MD Year 3 together with the MS3 applicants. The overall time (4 MD years + 1 MPH year) and cost are the same for direct admit students and those who later apply as an MS3.

What are the credit requirements? How long does it take?

MD/MPH students must complete 30 MPH credits during a 1‐year leave of absence from the MD program, between MD Years 3 and 4 (MS3 applicants, direct admit students) or after Year 4 (MS4applicants) for a total of 5 years (4 MD + 1 MPH). Students pursuing the MPH after Year 4 delay their MD graduation for 1 year to complete the MPH. MD/Certificate students complete 4 SPH courses (10 credits) in addition to the MD program. Certificate courses are completed within the 4‐year MD Program, taken either all in one 10‐week online term, or divided across several 10‐week terms.

Do I need to complete a practicum, thesis, capstone, and/or culminating experience?
 

The MD/MPH requires completion of a Culminating Experience deliverable that builds on the MD program’s Population Health Summit. MD/MPH students must also complete a public health Applied Practice Experience (APEx) in the Spring of their MPH Year. The MD/Certificate does not require any of these.
 

What is the tuition cost?

Students in the MD/MPH receive a 10% tuition discount for their 30 MPH credits, which totals $52,500 in 2025‐26. Tuition for the MD/Certificate totals $14,000 in 2025‐26.
 

Is financial aid available?

All qualifying students enrolled in GW's MD/MPH dual degree program will be eligible for a combination of federal student loans and private (commercial) loans to finance the cost of the program. To help students understand their private loan options, GW has partnered with ELMSelect, a free lender‐neutral tool that allows students to compare loan options and interest rates. In addition, AAMC and ELFI have collaborated to create the MedLoans Borrower Benefit program to support medical students facing urgent education funding gaps. Please schedule a meeting with the SMHS Office of Financial Aid to discuss your particular situation.
 

Can I transfer credits from other schools?

No coursework or credits can be transferred from other institutions for the MD/MPH or the MD/Certificate.

Can I drop the MPH before starting MD studies without affecting my MD?

Yes, you do not have to proceed with the MPH if you prefer not to. Simply email mdmph [at] gwu [dot] edu (mdmph[at]gwu[dot]edu) and let us know!

Can I participate in a Combined Degree Program AND a Scholarly Concentration in the MD Program?

Yes. Students should share their interest in the combined programs with the Office of Student Professional Enrichment (OSPE) as early as possible. Once in a Scholarly Concentration (SC), MS1s should begin early in the spring semester to discuss their combined degree plans with their SC Director and summer project mentor to ensure the focus, workload, and schedule will meet the SC summer internship requirements.

What if I drop the Combined Degree or the Certificate without completing it?

Direct admit students are not required to accept or decline the MD/MPH admission until Spring of their MD Year 3; they may proceed with the MPH or not at that time regardless of whether they have completed the “Topics in Public Health Practice” elective or not. The MD remains the primary degree for both the MD/MPH dual degree program and the MD/Certificate. This means that the MD will be awarded if all MD requirements are successfully completed, regardless of the status of the MPH or Certificate. The MPH or Certificate, however, will only be awarded if all MD and all public health requirements are successfully completed. Dropping courses can have financial and transcript implications, so students should confer with the SPH MD/MPH advisor prior to doing so.
 

Can I engage in clinical activities during the MPH?

Yes, students can make arrangements with clinical preceptors to pursue clinical activities depending upon MPH course demands and schedule.

Will I be able to sit for the national certifying exam for public health?

All students who successfully complete the MD/Certificate or the MD/MPH are eligible to sit for the national certifying exam through NBPHE – Certified in Public Health (CPH).