Dual Degree Programs
Specialized academic options for exceptional MD students
The College of Medicine offers two dual degree options for CMU students to consider.
MD-MBA dual degree
Admission requirements
- Complete the Approval Form. The application must include a one-page statement describing their purpose and general plan for MBA study at Central Michigan University. The statement should discuss how the MBA degree fits into their future career plans and include past or current activities and achievements, including any relevant business, research, or volunteer experiences that make them a good candidate for admission.
- Complete the application for admission to CMU's College of Graduate Studies.
- Submit College of Medicine transcript demonstrating the student is in good standing at the College of Medicine whereby the GMAT requirement for admission to the MBA program may be waived.
Important dates
MBA admission applications will be accepted between May 1 and May 15 of the M1/M2 year of medical school for Track I and at least one month prior to the start of their gap year for Track II (see description of tracks below). We expect MD students to begin the MBA program in mid-June (for MBA 2nd summer session), August (for MBA fall semester), or January (for MBA spring semester).
Plan of study
MD students admitted to the MBA program can use up to six credit hours of MED 600 toward satisfying the MBA degree requirements, as long as they have a passing grade in MED 600. In this case, two required courses – MBA 640 and 660 will be waived. This will reduce the total number of credits needed for MBA to 30 credit hours. Based on the College of Medicine’s recommendation, students will pick from two alternate tracks:
- Track I expects MD students to take advantage of the MD curriculum calendar to complete MBA courses simultaneously with MD courses.
- Track II interleaves an additional year into the MD curriculum that will focus on MBA requiring students to complete the MBA courses during a concentrated leave between M2 and M3 OR M3 and M4.
- College of Medicine will not approve enrollment into Track II after the start of year three.
MBA Track I, sample plan one (option for students starting CCC in fall)
| MD Calendar Timing | MBA Calendar Timing | Suggested Course(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Between M1 and M2 | 2nd Summer Term | MBA 630 and MBA 650 |
| Between M2 and M3 | 1st Summer Term | MBA 610 and MBA 620 |
| M3 | 2nd Summer Term 1st Fall Term | MBA 670 MBA 680 |
| M4 | 2nd Summer Term 2nd Fall Term 2nd Spring Term 1st Summer Term | MBA 690 BUS 619 BUS 629 BUS 639 |
MBA Track I, sample plan two (option for students starting CCC in winter)
| MD Calendar Timing | MBA Calendar Timing | Suggested Course(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Between M1 and M2 | 2nd Summer Term | MBA 630 and MBA 650 |
| Between M2 and M3 | 1st Summer Term | MBA 610 and MBA 620 |
| M3 | 2nd Fall Term 1st Spring Term | MBA 670 and BUS 619 MBA 680 |
| M4 | 2nd Summer Term 2nd Spring Term 1st Summer Term | MBA 690 BUS 629 BUS 639 |
MBA Track I, sample plan three (option for students starting CCC in spring)
| MD Calendar Timing | MBA Calendar Timing | Suggested Course(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Between M1 and M2 | 2nd Summer Term | MBA 630 and MBA 650 |
| Between M2 and M3 | 1st Summer Term | MBA 610 and MBA 620 |
| M3 | 2nd Spring Term 1st Summer Term | MBA 670 and BUS 629 MBA 680 and BUS 639 |
| M4 | 2nd Summer Term 2nd Fall Term | MBA 690 BUS 619 |
BUS classes refer to courses included in Value Driven Organization emphasis; these courses can be substituted to match the student’s interest.
*All MBA courses are required and are available in-person, hybrid, as well as online asynchronous; Elective courses are primarily offered online.
Deviations from these plans may be required due to unexpected scheduling changes and students in the MBA program will be advised accordingly.
MBA Track II
The MBA program can be completed in 12 months between M2 and M3 OR M3 and M4.
MD-MPH dual degree
The dual MD and MPH program brings clarity to the interconnectedness of individual health and the health of entire communities and populations. Health policy and public health leadership have a direct effect on how you will manage your practice and serve your patients. Knowledge of epidemiology, program planning, biostatistics, research methods, informatics, and public health’s role in caring for specific populations will all help to complete your clinical knowledge and place it within the entire scope of today’s health care. While the MD degree usually takes four years to complete, and the MPH degree takes two years, by combining them into a concurrent program with MPH credit given for some medical school courses, they can both be completed in five years.
Admission requirements
Medical students accepted into the CMU College of Medicine may apply for admission to the MD-MPH dual program in their second year. To apply:
- Complete the Approval Form to Enroll in the MPH Program available through the Office of Medical Education. This application must include a one-page personal statement describing:
- How the MPH degree fits into your future career plans.
- What strategies you will employ to manage the responsibilities of the two degree programs.
- Apply to the MPH program at apply.cmich.edu. Letters of recommendation are not required for CMU College of Medicine students.
- The MPH program will provide copies of the following to the Office of Graduate Studies:
- Completed Approval Form to Enroll in the MPH Program.
- Statement of Purpose (submitted in step one).
- The Office of Medical Education will provide copies of the following to the Office of Graduate Studies:
- Official transcripts to date.
- Official Medical College Admission Test scores.
Important dates
MPH admission applications should be completed by April 1 of the M2 year of medical school. We expect MD students to begin the MPH program in mid-June (for MPH second summer session).
Plan of study
MD students admitted to the MPH program can use up to six (6) credit hours of MED 600, MED 630A, MED 640 and MED 740 towards satisfying the MPH degree requirements as long as they have a passing grade. In this case, two required course – MPH 670 and MPH 650 will be waived. This will reduce the total number of credits needed for MPH degree. MD students will complete MPH courses simultaneously with their MD courses.
We expect students to apply for graduation from both programs at the same time; one cannot precede the other.
| Year 1 and 2 - Medical School |
|---|
| Year 3 - Master of Public Health | |
|---|---|
| Summer II | MPH 646 Epidemiology for Public Health MPH 650 transfer in MED 630A, 640 and 740 MPH 670 transfer in MED 600 |
| Fall | MPH 642 and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health MPH 644 Rural Health MPH 648 Health Policy and Management MPH 654 Public Health Leadership MPH 655 Program Planning and Evaluation |
| Spring | MPH 640 Biostatistics in Public Health MPH 652 Environmental Health Sciences MPH 662 Public Health and Aging MPH 664 Public Health Communication and Informatics |
| Summer I | MPH 666 Substance Abuse Services MPH 667 Maternal and Child Health |
| Year 4 and 5 - Medical School |
|---|
MPH 790 Applied Practice Experience MPH 796 Integrative Learning Experience |
| Graduate with Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice degrees. |
|---|
