Public Health Training: MD/MPH Program Contact Person: Paula Braveman, MD, MPH Faculty Coordinator, MD-MPH Joint Degree Program Introduction | Purpose | Coursework | Applying & Financial Aid | Getting More Information Introduction The UCSF/UC Berkeley MD/MPH joint degree program allows UCSF medical students to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) at UC Berkeley during an additional year of study, usually between the third and fourth medical-school years. Some students obtain their MPH between the end of medical school and the beginning of residency. The program begins in July and ends in May, in accordance with the Fall & Spring semester academic calendars at UC-Berkeley. Purpose The purpose of the MD/MPH program is to permit medical students to acquire skills, knowledge, and awareness to prepare them for a range of activities as physicians who effectively promote public health. It is designed for medical students who will go on to a clinical residency and clinical practice. Some graduates will have careers as full-time clinicians, while many will combine clinical work with research and/or involvement in designing or directing programs or policies at the community, state, national, or international levels. Some students pursue MPH training to prepare for academic careers in which the tools of epidemiology will give them a solid basis for conducting research in diverse clinical or public health areas. However, many students who are not oriented primarily toward research or academic careers also seek training in epidemiology (and other public health areas), to be able to:  (a) conduct the systematic “needs assessments” that are often essential components of grant proposals to support community-based health programs; and (b) design and conduct evaluations of community-based health programs (which are needed to obtain continuing funding and influence policy). Coursework All MD/MPH students take introductory coursework giving a general overview of public health and the basics of epidemiology, health policy and administration, and the social and behavioral sciences as applied to public health. MD/MPH students can select one of four concentration areas: (1) epidemiology, (2) the health policy and management program, (3) maternal and child health, or (4) the interdisciplinary program. The interdisciplinary program provides flexibility to pursue a range of areas such as international health, maternal and child health, health economics, or health policy and management, while still obtaining a solid background in epidemiology. The MD/MPH program requires 2 semesters at UC Berkeley (equivalent to 3 quarters at UCSF). Students are simultaneously enrolled at both campuses but only pay fees to Berkeley. Every MD-MPH student has a faculty advisor in her/his major at Berkeley; and Dr. Braveman serves as the UCSF academic advisor for all UCSF students during their MPH year. Applying & Financial Aid MD/MPH students have generally qualified for financial aid in the form of loans at UC Berkeley, but have rarely received grants. A limited number of University fellowships are available from Berkeley on a highly competitive basis. MD-MPH students are encouraged to maintain some ongoing clinical experience (e.g., as volunteers in the homeless clinic or through longitudinal clinics) while at Berkeley. Class schedules permit most students to maintain some clinical involvement and often also to participate in a public health program and/or research project. Completed applications for the MD/MPH program are due in Dr. Paula Braveman’s office by the middle of November. A complete set of undergraduate transcripts (and one from UCSF) is required, along with a personal essay and an individual meeting with Dr. Braveman, so you need to plan ahead. In the past, all UCSF applicants in good standing have been admitted. The demand for places in the MD/MPH program has grown, however, so acceptance is not assured. In recent years, between 4-12 students have been enrolled. Getting More Information If you are interested in learning more about the MD/MPH program and talking over whether it would be a good choice for you, please contact Dr. Braveman’s assistant, Rebecca Wilson-Loots at wilsonlootsr@fcm.ucsf.edu or (415) 476-6839 by mid-October. A basic information packet will be sent to all interested students. Informational meetings will be arranged, but only announced to students who have expressed interest in the program. After attending a group informational meeting, students can set up individual meetings with Dr. Braveman to help make a final decision regarding whether to apply (in terms of how the MD/MPH fits into overall career goals) and which concentration area to choose. Contact: Paula Braveman, MD, MPH Faculty Coordinator, MD-MPH Joint Degree Program UCSF Department of Family & Community Medicine Box 0943, Laurel Heights, 3333 California Street, Suite 365 San Francisco, CA 94143-0943                Send e-mail to wilsonlootsr@fcm.ucsf.edu with the following information: Name E-mail Home address Day telephone Night telephone Days/times generally available to meet