Training of dual-degree MPH students: Benefits and challenges

Increasing attention is being paid to the need for public health training among persons working in a multitude of health- and human service-related professions. Interprofessional education is emerging as an important focus for public health training programs.  Healthcare providers who are trained in the core knowledge areas of public health are better able to understand the literature in their clinical disciplines, participate as members of interdisciplinary prevention, treatment and research teams and actively engage in community-based public health interventions.  This presentation will describe a Council on Education for Public Health accredited MPH Program with a heavy emphasis on the training of dual professionals.  The MPH at the University of Maryland School of Medicine offers graduate public health training through a single-degree MPH Program, as well as six dual-degree programs (DDS/MPH, JD/MPH, MD/MPH, MS (Nursing)/MPH, MSW/MPH and PharmD/MPH) aimed at preparing dual professionals who can integrate the public health perspective into their clinical work.  In the ten years since this MPH Program started, 53% of the graduates earned the MPH concurrently with another professional degree at the University and an additional 24% of the graduates had enrolled in the MPH Program with prior degrees in one of the six dual-degree disciplinary areas.   While addressing the needs of the dual professional student presents certain challenges, there are clear benefits for the Program, the graduates and their employers.