Suggested MD/MPH Program of Study
The following is the suggested path for completing the MD/MPH combined
degree. The typical MD/MPH student will not follow this exact path, but
it is the preferred program of study.
Pre Year 1
Summer
May take 2 MPH courses
6 hours
Year 1
Fall Semester
Medical Student Curriculum
19 hours, 5 courses
17 weeks, August to December
Spring Semester
Medical Student Curriculum
19 hours, 4 courses
17 weeks, Jan to May
Summer
Two MPH courses - 6 hours
MECO (clinical experience at an Iowa hospital)
Research fellowship
Global experience
Free summer
Year 2
Fall Semester
Medical Student Curriculum
20 hours, 4 courses
17 weeks, Aug to Dec
Spring Semester
Medical Student Curriculum
20 hours, 3 courses
17 weeks, Jan to May
Summer
Step 1 United States Medical Licensing Exam mid June
~2 weeks vacation after exam
Clinical Beginnings Week
8 weeks M3 clinical clerkships
June to late August or
begin MPH in summer after USMLE
Year 3
Fall Semester
Public Health Curriculum
June/Aug to Dec
Spring Semester
Public Health Curriculum
Jan to May
Summer
Public Health Curriculum
and Practicum to June/Aug
Year 4
Fall Semester
Medical Student Curriculum
16 weeks clinical clerkships
June/Aug to Dec
Spring Semester
Medical Student Curriculum
24 weeks clinical clerkships
Jan to June
Summer
Public Health Curriculum
and Practicum to June/Aug
Year 5
Fall and Spring Semesters
Medical Student Curriculum
July to May
32 weeks of clinical clerkships or 20 weeks if using 12 hrs from MPH
2 parts of Step 2 US Medical Licensing Exam
MD and MPH degrees conferred mid-May
Summer
Usually begin medical residency training
Graduation Requirements
College of Public Health – 30 semester hours plus 12 hours credit
awarded for courses in MD curriculum = 42 semester hours required for
MPH
College of Medicine – 159 semester hours (up to 12 semester hours of M4 electives may be accepted from MPH work)
Contact Damien Ihrig, Registrar, Carver College of Medicine, damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu