Tufts University School of Medicine

DVM/MPH Concentration

The DVM/MPH program is a four-year integrated program that is designed to prepare veterinary students for a career in public health, or to better apply the principles of epidemiology and public health to more traditional forms of practice or research. With its emphasis on human and animal diseases, accuracy in research, and rigorous application of statistical methods, the combined DVM/MPH degree provides an excellent foundation for students wishing to pursue public health positions in government, research, international health, private industry and academia.

The MPH degree complements students’ clinical understanding of the individual with a population-based perspective. Upon completion of the program, students are better able to understand the roles of the biological sciences and health care services in improving the health of populations and linking to public health practice. The program helps graduates identify the public health implications of clinical work and research and communicates these to other clinicians and public health professionals. Graduates of the program are able to apply population-based methods and perspectives to the design and practice of clinical services; describe the diverse roles that physicians, veterinarians, and other clinicians and public health professionals play in public health practice and research; and participate effectively in a public health team.

Skills & Competencies

  • Develop and critique research hypotheses and study designs applicable to population health through clinical and/or community research methods
  • Apply legal basis for veterinary public health to confront public health problems
  • Integrate veterinary medicine with public health principles to address public health problems
  • Demonstrate clinical competency in health promotion, disease prevention/biosecurity, zoonoses, and food safety
  • Apply public health methods to address issues with access, cost, and/or quality of veterinary medical care delivered to defined populations

Core courses for the DVM/MPH

Student in the DVM/MPH take a core curriculum that meets the same foundational competencies as are met by all other MPH students, but because of their unique needs with respect to the way DVM/MPH graduates use the degree over time, two of the core courses are developed specifically for them.

Core courses taken with other MPH students:

  • PH 201: Principles of Epidemiology
  • PH 202: Public Health Assessment: Data, Determinants, and Systems
  • PH 203: Public Health Action: Programs, Policy, and Advocacy
  • PH 205: Principles of Biostatistics
  • PH 216: Health Care Organization Budgeting and Management

Core courses specific for DVM/MPH students (taught in Grafton):

  • CMPH 253: Applied Learning Experience (ALE) Planning
  • CMPH 453: Applied Learning Experience (ALE) Implementation 

Additional Courses for the DVM/MPH:

  • CMPH 151/251/351/451: Integration of Public Health
  • CMPH 170: Global Population Health
  • CMPH 207: Legal Basis of Public Health Veterinary Medicine
  • CMPH 208: Public Health Field Experience
  • CMPH 288: Research Methods
  • CMPH 360: Emerging and Exotic Diseases of Animals (EEDA) and Initial Accreditation Training (IAT)
  • CMPH 415: DVM/MPH Clinical Rotations
  • VET 233: Introduction to Veterinary Public Health
  • There are also DVM/MPH track required courses (taught in Grafton)
  • 6 elective credits