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 - 2025-2026

SMHS Orientation for Accepted Students: April 7, 2026: 6:30 -7:30 p.m.

Declaration of Intent Submission Deadline: April 13, 2026: 11:59 p.m

Burgess Loan Application Deadline: April 15, 2026: 11:59 p.m.

SPH Advising & Registration Session: April 16, 2026: 6:30 -7:30 p.m.

Deadline to Submit Registration Forms: April 23, 2026: 11:59 p.m.

Milken Institute SPH Classes Begin: July 1, 2026 (estimated)

Download the Combined MD/Public Health Degree Informational Flier 

FAQs

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

Students applying for medical school and Students enrolled in GW’s MD program are eligible to apply as MS3 or MS4 students. MD students with less than a Passing Grade (Conditional, Fail) are not eligible to apply until the grade has been remediated. Students are not required to take the GRE, but must take USMLE Step 1 before beginning their MPH.  

When do I start the program?

The elective “Topics in Public Health Practice” starts in the first year of MD studies and continues through the second year. The elective is not required to completed the MD/MPH program. Milken Institute SPH coursework for the MD/MPH begins during the summer following MD Year 3. 

Am I required to take the elective, “Topics in Public Health Practice?”

No, you are not required to participate in the elective to proceed with the MD/MPH. You may also choose not to do the MPH after taking the MD/MPH elective. You will not be required to take any action on the MD/MPH until Spring of Year 3. 

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

The MD/Certificate requires successful completion of four Milken Institute SPH courses (10 credits) in addition to the MD program; courses are taken either all in one 10-week term, or divided across several 10-week terms. The MD/ Certificate is completed within the four-year MD program. The MD/MPH requires successful completion of at least 30 credits at Milken Institute SPH in addition to the MD program. Students may begin courses during the summer following Year 3 or 4. The MD/MPH requires a one-year leave of absence from the MD program between MD Years 3 and 4 or after Year 4 to complete the MPH coursework for a total of five years (4 MD + 1 MPH). Students pursuing the MPH after Year 4 will delay MD graduation for one year until completion of the MPH.

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

The MD/MPH requires a Culminating Experience deliverable that builds on the MD program’s Population Health Summit. MD/MPH students also complete a public health Applied Practice Experience (APEx) in 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 Milken Institute SPH credits; total tuition for the MD/MPH in 2025-2026 is $52,500. Tuition for the MD/ Graduate Certificate is $14,000 in 2025-2026. 

Is financial aid available for the Combined Degree?

While the MD/MPH and the MD/Public Health Graduate Certificate are eligible for federal financial aid at this time, the shifting political landscape may affect this in the future. Applications and disbursements are handled by the SMHS Office of Financial Aid. Deadline for submission for summer aid is July 1, but late fees may apply so students are encouraged to apply by mid-April to ensure continuity of funding streams. 

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?

The MD remains the primary degree for the MD/MPH; the MD will be awarded if the MD requirements are successfully completed regardless of the status of the Milken Institute SPH degree. The MPH will be awarded only if the MD and public health requirements are completed.

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).