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Listed below are some questions often asked by applicants
to the joint MD/MPH program at Oregon Health & Science University:
***New*** An additional FAQ sheet has been prepared by MD/MPH student Emily King to help you schedule the 3rd and 4th MD yrs around the MPH year.
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When can I begin my MPH courses?
The incoming MD/MPH classes begin their public health education
by taking Epidemiology 1 in the summer before medical school
starts. Meeting each morning for three weeks, the class will
have formal didactic presentations, problem-based learning sessions,
and homework assignments designed to help them master the principles
of field epidemiology. The class will also take field trips
to various public health agencies in the Portland area. During
the fall quarter, the students will meet twice per month, for
an hour session each time, to examine current public health
issues in a seminar forum. Beginning with the second quarter
of the freshman year and extending through the end of Year 2,
MD/MPH students will take one course per quarter. These courses
will be designed to fit into ongoing medical school activities.
By the end of Year 3, students will have accumulated an adequate
number of credit hours so that they can finish the entire program
in one additional year devoted to graduate training.
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How many credits may I take per
term? How much will it cost?
As a medical student, you may take as many concurrent courses,
including MPH courses, as you wish at no additional cost. If
you choose to take an extra year (or more) to pursue MPH work,
then you must take a minimum of 9 credit hours, and a maximum
of 16 credits if you have a scholarship. Note: the 16 credit
maximum cap applies to medical courses as well. For example,
if you were taking 13 MPH course credits, then you could only
take an additional 3 credit hours of medical electives.
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How many credits per term are
recommended?
Since you need to complete your courses in a timely manner,
a recommended credit load is 12-16 per term when you are in
your MPH year. During the time you are in the first two years
of medical school, it is recommended that you take 1 MPH course
per quarter.
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How do I register for MPH courses?
If you are concurrently taking MPH courses and MD courses, you
can register for courses through Marcia Decaro or Vicki Fields
at the Dean's Office. However, during the MPH year (for example,
between years 3 and 4 of medical school), you need to register
each term as basic science graduate student through the Registrar's
Office. In order to do so, you will need to register online
through ISIS.
If you have questions about registration at OHSU, please contact
the Registrar's Office.
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What about courses at PSU or
OSU? How do I register?
The MPH track at OHSU requires that you take 3 courses at Portland
State University (Principles of Health Behavior, Health Systems
Organization, and Concepts in Environmental Health). You should
register in the usual way through the ISIS
online system. OHSU students can also take other PSU public
health courses, some of which are listed in the OHSU
MPH course descriptions or course
schedules. OSU and PSU courses that are not cross-listed
(usually any course other than the required core courses) can
be taken on a "concurrent" basis by obtaining the instructor's
signature on a registration form for a PH 507 class, your advisor's
signature, and filing the form in the Registrar's Office.
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How do I find an internship?
The internship is a valuable adjunct to MPH coursework as you
receive a "real world view" of public health through work at
community sites. It is designed to give you experience applying
epidemiology and data analysis skills learned in MPH classes
and should not be taken until after Epi 1 and Biometry 1 have
been taken. It is not easy, however, to find an internship.
Start early! A list of internship sites is included in your
MPH Handbook
and on the internship
webpage, and descriptions of new opportunities are distributed
in emails during the year. Ask professors and other students,
and look for postings in the Department. A proposal form is
necessary and must be signed by the preceptor, your advisor,
and Dr. Katie Riley.
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May I take a year off to do MPH
coursework? How will I pay for the MPH degree?
Yes! In fact, the School of Medicine has arranged for a limited
number of tuition stipends through the Oregon Laurel program
and the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
has arranged for additional tuition scholarships. If awarded
any of these scholarships, students must take a minimum of 9
credits and maximum of 16 credits to meet funding requirements.
For more details, please contact the OHSU Office of Financial
Aid (503-494-7800).
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What about living expenses? Books
and course materials? Other OHSU fees? Health insurance?
You may arrange to receive financial aid through the OHSU Office
of Financial Aid to cover living expenses and other expenses
such as books, transportation, and school fees while you are
enrolled in the MPH program. Unfortunately, the Laurel Award
and the other Public Health scholarshipsdo not cover more than
tuition. If needed, health insurance is available through the
OHSU Student Health Center. The HAP (Housing Authority of Portland)
program offers housing at no cost during the MPH year and/or
the third or fourth year of medical school in return for health
counseling of their residents. A special application is required
for this program. Notices regarding application procedures are
placed in student mailboxes each year.
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Where do I collect my financial
aid?
At the Cashier's Office at the beginning of each term, which
is the same place that all students collect financial aid disbursements.
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Is it possible to hold a part-time
job during the MPH coursework?
Yes! Many students have done just that. For added benefits,
although perhaps not high pay, students have received valuable
"real-world" public health experience through working in the
public health sector during their MPH year. The HAP experience
is also an excellent way to gain experience and have your housing
cost paid.
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What is the recommended schedule
for MD/MPH students?
The MD/MPH program is designed to be a 5-year program of study.
Students have many options to complete the program. The usual
strategy has been to take one course per quarter for the first
two years, followed by an intensive year of MPH courses and
thesis work. For students who begin in Summer Quarter, the intensive
beginning with Epidemiology 1 will provide a solid framework
for taking other MPH courses. Many MPH courses are planned around
the medical school course schedule, allowing students to take
course work in both programs. Another option is that students
may take a year off between years 3 and 4 of medical school
in order to complete the MPH coursework. Then, before graduation,
they can complete the thesis. The first year immersion approach
is designed to provide students with a public health perspective
from the time they enter medical school and also to allow more
time to work on the thesis during the MPH year between years
3 and 4 of medical school. These recommendations are based upon
the experience of other medical students and are not requirements,
as the MPH program is flexible regarding timing.
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Is it better to take
a year off, or do the courses as I go along?
This is a matter of opinion. Some students like to concentrate
their MPH studies in 1 year and completely immerse themselves
in public health. Others want to take the year between years
3 and 4 of medical school to exclusively work on their thesis,
so they take classes as they go along. The answer thus depends
upon you and your needs.
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What if I want to take a year
off to do the MPH? Do I need to let anyone know?
Yes! Sometime in the winter or spring of your 3rd year of medical
school, you should contact Marcia Decaro in the Dean's Office
of the School of Medicine (decarom@ohsu.edu)
and let her know that you will be taking a leave of absence
from the medicine program. She will inform the Registrar's Office
for you. The Registrar will then mail you the necessary registration
forms and course schedules each term.
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Can I specialize in
any area of public health once I am accepted into the MD/MPH
program at OHSU?
The OHSU MD/MPH program is in epidemiology and biostatistics.
Other public health specialty tracks such as public health administration
are not available within the joint MD/MPH program. If you are
interested in any other specialty track at another school, you
need to apply separately to that program and you will not be
in a joint MD/MPH program. Rather, you will be enrolled in two
separate programs at the same time.
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Is it possible to stay involved
with the School of Medicine during my MPH year?
Yes! You are still a member of the School of Medicine and all
extracurricular activities, clubs, and other services are open
for your use and enjoyment.
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I want to keep in touch with
clinical practice during my MPH coursework. Can I do a preceptorship
during that time, even in public health/preventive medicine?
Yes! The Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
helps to organize student preceptorships in preventive medicine/public
health. Students may also set up their own preceptorships, but
must register for malpractice insurance (as an OHSU "away elective")
through the Dean's Office (contact Vicki Fields at fields@ohsu.edu).
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How do I pick a thesis topic?
An advisor?
Students often gain insight into what they would like to do
for a thesis topic through their internship experience. Good
places to look for opportunities include the Oregon Health Division,
the Oregon Health Policy Institute, the Kaiser Permanente Center
for Health Research, and various other public health agencies
and county health departments around the Portland/Vancouver
area. You can also get ideas through your MPH courses, Grand
Rounds presentations, and speaking with other students. In similar
fashion, you can also talk with your advisor and other faculty
members about their research interests in order to find the
right advisor for you.
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Do I need to design my own data
collection for my thesis?
No, you may use a previously collected data set, or data from
your MPH internship site. The department has several public
datasets and a listing on the website of faculty datasets
that are available. These faculty members would then be willing
to be your thesis advisor. You will need to consult with your
advisor regarding your specific topic and needs.
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