Most people who go to medical school get a single degree, either an MD or DO, which enables them to become a doctor. This is not the only option you have however. There are a number of dual degree options in medicine, where you earn a second degree alongside your first.
In this article, we’ll go through what these options are, and the benefits to pursuing a dual degree. These degrees are in no way necessary to become a doctor, and instead serve to set students up for other careers in the future. We’ll cover these as well, so you know what your options are. Let’s get started!
BS/MD (and BS/DO) Degrees
These degrees combine your undergraduate and medical degrees into a single program. You apply for this program as you apply to undergrad, and if you are accepted, you are also conditionally accepted to the medical program. This requires you hitting academic benchmarks during your undergraduate tenure, but no more than would be expected when applying to medical school anyway.
These degrees are often completed faster, and are lower stress, then doing college and applying to medical school separately. They are quite popular for this reason. We have several articles exploring BS/MD programs further, and what is required when applying to them.
These programs also exist with DO schools, but just as there are fewer DO programs than MD programs, there are fewer BS/DO programs than BS/MD programs. This will hold true with all other dual degrees as well. It’s not that DO programs are incompatible with other kinds of degrees, but that there are fewer schools offering DO programs. With dual degrees also being a specialized offering, there isn’t enough demand to justify these programs.
MD/PhD (and DO/PhD) Programs
These programs, as the name implies, allow you to become a doctor in two ways at once. These degrees are for those who are specifically interested in medical research, and who intend to work as researchers or professors more than simply as doctors. This research is generally in biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, generally with a focus on medicine in some way. That said, there are combined PhD programs in many fields which can parallel medicine, including things like sociology.
There are far fewer of these programs than standard medical schools; the AAMC has a full list on their site. Only around 600 students enter one of these programs each year, compared to the approximately 20,000 who begin medical school each year. These programs are therefore more selective in general than standard MD programs.
MD/PhD programs also last longer than medical school alone, taking eight years to complete. This is due to the time requirement for writing and defending a thesis on top of completing the requirements for medical school. Unlike regular medical school however, tuition at these programs is generally free, and they often provide a stipend, as with other PhD programs, though this varies by program. This is one of the main draws of the programs.
Applying to MD-PhD programs is similar to regular applications, but has some differences. The first is that some of these programs require GRE scores in addition to the MCAT, though the specific requirements depend on the program. You should also focus more on your experience with research if you are applying to these programs. While all medical schools want to see research experience, MD-PhD programs are explicitly focused on this, and want to see that you are too.
You can apply to these programs at the same time as a school’s standard MD program. Most will still consider you for an MD even if you are rejected for the MD-PhD. These programs do ask for two additional essays:
- Why do you want to participate in an MD-PhD program?
- Detail a significant research experience you’ve had.
MD-JD Programs
These programs allow students to earn degrees in medicine and law simultaneously. While these take four and three years respectively, the program takes six combined, as some classes you will take count for both. These programs require successive applications, where you apply to and begin with medical school, then apply again to the JD program while a med student.
You begin with two years of medical school, then take two years at law school, then complete your time at medical school. These programs are known to be exceptionally demanding, even by the high standards usually demanded by both schools. Your willingness to work hard is the most important part of succeeding in these programs, even above the intelligence required.
You will have to complete both the MCAT and the LSAT during your applications. The exact process for admission varies a bit by school, as there are very few programs of this sort, and each has their own standards.
The career options for those with MD-JD are varied, and flexible. Most degree holders go on to careers in politics, public policy, hospital administration, or malpractice law. You should have clear career aspirations when deciding to embark on one of these degrees, as this motivation is going to be important for your applications. You may or may not need both degrees for your intended career, and could perhaps be fine with one or the other.
MD-MPH Degrees
These degrees combine medical training with a master’s in public health, and take five years to complete. You spend your first two years taking the classes required for both degrees, and then proceed through medical school as normal. The purpose of these programs is to give you both a close in view of patient relations, and a broader understanding of trends in healthcare.
Public health is focused on policy, and views health as a large scale issue. If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare policy, or working on large scale health issues as a physician or researcher, this degree is well suited for you.
These programs, like MD-JD, require you to gain acceptance to the medical school before you apply to the MPH program. How they handle applications differs by program; some have specific tracks for dual degree students, while others consider you alongside all other applicants to the MPH program. Generally, getting into medical school in the first place is the most competitive part of this process.
These programs generally require an additional essay to explain why you want to study public health specifically in conjunction with medicine. You should focus on your eventual goals in the field, and what draws you to this aspect of medicine specifically.
MD-MBA (and DO-MBA) Programs
This path allows you to combine medical and business programs into a single five year program which grants you both degrees at its culmination. You first do three years of medical school coursework, then take a yearlong break from that to complete the requirements of the MBA, before returning to finish off your medical studies.
As with most other programs, you generally do not apply directly to an MD-MBA, though you can indicate your interest while applying to medical schools. Instead, you apply to the MBA program while in your second year of med school. This does, of course, vary by program. GRE scores are often, but not always, required for acceptance into the MBA portion of these programs.
There are many career opportunities for students who earn these degrees, but they are most commonly sought by those who are interested in pursuing healthcare administration. While the goal of medicine is helping patients, there is also a lot of money involved in healthcare, and those managing the system often prioritize hiring those with knowledge of business and management as well as medical experience.
Final Thoughts
Dual degrees are not the only way to hold multiple degrees, but they are generally far faster than approaching each individually, especially for the more involved programs, such as law school or PhD programs. Students interested in combining one of these with their medical studies should begin planning early, as the preparation required for these is even more extensive than that required by medical school alone.
Applying to medical school is always a challenge, and applying to one of these programs is generally even more selective, as there are far fewer of them, and the academic barrier for entry far higher. You will need all the same preparation as for medical school, with additional skills and experience to demonstrate your interest in a second topic. If you are interested in learning more about applying to medical school, or want to hear how we can help you, schedule a free consultation today.
