A dual (5 year) program has been developed for selected medical students to extend their undergraduate medical education program by one year in order to obtain the MPH or MSPH degree in addition to the MD degree.  The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) offers an MD/MSPH while our other departments offer an MD/MPH dual degree. Students in good academic standing will complete the medical curriculum through the second elective period of the 4^th year; then be enrolled in the COPH program fall, spring, and summer semesters while maintaining clinical skills; and then return for elective periods 3-11 of the 4^th year COM program. The following table indicates proposed use of COM elective "time slots" to complete the requirements of the MPH.

*All students will participate in a designated continuity clinic one-half day per week during the fall and spring terms.  This clinic experience counts as one elective in both the MD, MPH and MSPH-EOH programs. Depending on the concentration program at the COPH, students may be required to take additional electives.  These electives will also serve as COM electives toward the senior year requirements.

A series of electives noted in the COM elective manual serve as courses that will jointly meet COM and COPH requirements.  Samples of these courses include:

• Applied biostatistics and evidence based medicine
• Research methods
• Clinical electives at health departments, and so on.

PHC 4100 Introduction to Public Health is an elective for senior medical students NOT in the MPH / MSPH/ MD program nor who already posess an MPH. The core courses of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, common to all of the MPH programs will count as one elective in the COM program. Ample time will be available for preparation for the USMLE Step 2 exam and for residency interviewing. The Step 2 exam must be taken prior to beginning the Fall Term in the MPH program.

The MPH and MSPH concentrations that will be available to medical students include:

Epidemiology - The MPH program in Epidemiology is a professional degree, intended for individuals who wish to obtain a broad understanding of public health, with an emphasis on epidemiologic principles and methods. The knowledge and skills obtained through the program will enable graduates to characterize the health status of communities, critically evaluate research on determinants of health-related events, formulate strategies to evaluate the impact of health related interventions and foster the application of epidemiologic methods for health promotion/disease prevention activities at the community level.

Occupational Health for Health Professionals - The MSPH in Occupational Health is an academic program that prepares occupational medicine physicians and health professionals with the research and professional knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex health and safety issues found in today's business environment.  There is sufficient flexibility to accommodate a variety of interests and career goals, including: practice of occupational medicine in an industrial setting; development, administration and management of occupational health programs, practice of occupational medicine in an industrial setting; the development and management of governmental programs which may be required by law to provide surveillance, monitoring and hazard evaluation; careers in teaching and research in an academic setting or; planning, management and administration of occupational programs in an industrial setting emphasizing epidemiological, clinical and toxicological research. The MSPH curriculum focuses on the worker, the workplace, information management and administration. The student is provided the opportunity to acquire sufficient knowledge and skills to administer and manage occupational health services programs. The MSPH emphasizes protective and preventive policies, procedures, practices and programs. Information management and administration are stressed. The MSPH also gives importance to social, legal, and ethical issues concerns. There is emphasis and sufficient opportunity for conducting research; students are sufficiently prepared to pursue further graduate work (e.g., PhD degree) or pursue a career in an academic institution. This concentration would meet the course requirements for residency in Preventive / Occupational Medicine.

Health Care Organizations and Management - The Health Care Organizations and Management program is designed for individuals interested in the management of hospitals, group practices, health departments, and other provider organizations.  The program focuses on the structure and management of health care organizations.  Students develop knowledge and skills in management science, leadership, and decision-making.  The curriculum does not require students to develop all health administration quantitative and analytic skill areas typically required of senior management positions.

Maternal and Child Health - The MPH in Maternal and Child Health prepares health professionals and individuals in related fields for leadership roles in community based organizations that focus on major public health problems of women, children and families, especially among culturally diverse and underserved populations. Using multidisciplinary approaches, students develop analytical, advocacy, programmatic and evaluative skills to address health disparities, and to emphasize health promotion and disease prevention among populations in need.

Global Communicable Diseases - The MPH in Global Communicable Disease is focused on providing educational opportunities for those interested in global health challenges and emerging infectious diseases worldwide. Through this platform, students will receive specialized training in the recognition, identification, diagnosis, surveillance, control, and prevention of public health problems related to communicable diseases throughout the world. Particular emphasis is placed on the problems of underdeveloped nations. Additionally, the course offerings and areas of emphases regarding infection control allow public health practitioners to expand their knowledge of infection control practices and procedures, particularly in hospital settings.

Disaster Management and Humanitarian Relief - The field of disaster management and humanitarian relief plays an important role in global health, especially in areas of armed conflict and natural disasters. With the increase in weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear and biological threats from terrorist groups and radical states, the need for formal training and education has increased. Local and international organizations, governments and United Nation agencies are in need of highly trained professionals to manage and direct programs to reduce the global public health threats that continue to plague us. Where and when the next tsunami or earthquake will strike, or how the next terrorist group will respond is unknown. But the logic behind professionally mitigating and preparing for one of these incidences places us in a stronger position to respond.

Application

Interested medical students will apply to the College of Public Health during the Spring of the third year of medical school.  The College of Public Health accepts the MCAT scores, so the GRE will not be required.  Students applying to the College of Public Health for Fall 2007 or later need to apply through SOPHAS (see the college of Public Health Admissions page at http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/degreereqs.html).   The application materials sent to SOPHAS will include:

• Transcript of medical school grades (copies from College of Medicine Admissions Office)
• MCAT scores
• SOPHAS will require two letters of recommendation and three references One letter of recommendation must be  from a College of Medicine faculty member who has knowledge of applicant’s academic performance
• Resume

Admission Process

Once all application materials are received they are forwarded to the appropriate department in which the selected concentration is based. The department’s admission committee reviews the applications and makes a recommendation to the department chair. The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs reviews all admission files and makes a recommendation to Graduate Admissions. The Graduate Admissions Office and the department then send written notification to the applicant.

Advising

Once admitted, each student will be assigned a faculty advisor in the appropriate College of Public Health department. The faculty advisor is only responsible for guiding the student through the public health program and not responsible for advising students related to medical school curriculum.  It is the student's responsibility to schedule a meeting with their advisor well before each semester begins in order to plan and approve upcoming course work. The advisor is also responsible for guiding the student through the special project that is generally completed toward the end of course work. Students should meet with their advisor if there are academic issues, such as inadequate GPA (minimum GPA to graduate is 3.0), schedule changes, or other academic concerns. Since the Registrar's Office maintains separate databases for medical students, students/advisors will not need to complete USF's dual degree form.

Tuition

Since the academic calendar of the COM is not identical to the COPH, the COM will collect a prorated tuition for elective periods 1 and 2 of the 4 year. Then the medical student will enroll and pay tuition at the COPH for the balance of the 4^th year and then pay prorated COM tuition for elective periods 3 through 11 of the 5^th year. This approach assures eligibility for financial aid continues.

Diploma

Medical students who complete an MPH will receive a separate diploma for their MPH.

Medical students who wish to receive an MPH or MSPH without enrolling in the dual program may do so by completing the requisite public health degrees before entering medical school or concurrently while in medical school by taking coursework online or in the evenings.