DVM/MPH

DVM/MPH students must complete 39 credits in the MPH program in addition to their DVM courses.  DVM/MPH students are awarded three credits for the completion of their DVM degree; these credits count toward the MPH 42 credit requirement. As for all MPH students, those pursuing the DVM/MPH must complete courses in the five core knowledge areas as well as a research methods course, one course on health care budgeting and management and the Applied Learning Experience.  During their first three years students participate with the MD/MPH students in a monthly, small group seminar—Integration of Public Health—designed to help integrate what they are learning over time in the MPH curriculum with their clinical training.  Along with the MD students, DVM/MPH students are introduced to the One Health concept, an approach to integrating medical and veterinary perspectives.

The DVM/MPH public health curriculum is tightly integrated with veterinary course work so that students complete both degrees in four years.  Students take a selected group of core and required courses with either the MD/MPH or the stand-alone MPH students.   In their first two years DVM/MPH students take public health core knowledge and required courses in place of the weekly, pre-clinical field or research electives taken by their fellow veterinary students.  Students may take public health electives  designed specifically for them on the Grafton or Boston campus throughout their first, second, and third year.  In addition, students participate in a six-week summer field experience during the summer between their first and second years, and an in-depth practicum in public health, the Applied Learning Experience (ALE), during the summer between their second and third years.

Students in the DVM/MPH combined degree pathway can earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in the same four years they earn a doctor of medicine (DVM). Students may take up to five years to complete the dual-degree program.

Applicants must apply separately to the DVM and MPH programs and meet the respective admission criteria of each.  DVM applicants receive information and an application for the MPH program in January, once they have been selected for an interview for admission to the DVM Program.  The MPH application for admission must be submitted by March 1 to the Office of Admissions at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.  Approximately six students are admitted each year to the DVM/MPH program. Applicants are notified of admission to the program by early April.

The combined DVM/MPH program is applied to through the veterinary school. DVM students may pick up an application when they interview at the vet school, or may access the application here. DVM applicants may apply to the combined DVM/MPH upon acceptance into the DVM program. 

Information will be sent to all accepted students in the winter prior to matriculation. 

For more information about the DVM/MPH combined pathway, contact the Public Health and Professional Degree Programs by e-mail at emily.keily@tufts.edu or call (617) 636-6645.  You may also visit the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine website.

Application Deadline: March 1st

The cost of the MPH program is significantly reduced for Tufts veterinary students. The 2017-2018 MPH tuition is a flat rate of $7,216 for the year.

There are three broad categories where Tufts DVM students use their MPH training and degree:

• In the intersection between human health and animal health.  For example, one graduate works with an organization dedicated to conserving biodiversity and studies viruses and other diseases that have emerged within Asia and Africa.
• As health professionals (often leaders) in the human public health infrastructure.  Another DVM/MPH graduate leads the study of zoonotic diseases for the Boston Public Health Commission.
• As population health veterinarians, using the skills learned in reference to human health but utilized in the context of animal population health. 

For program information contact Dr. Marieke Rosenbaum, DVM/MPH Track Leader at 508-887-4344  For admissions information visit:  DVM/MPH Admissions