DMD-MPH Joint Degree
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Offered in collaboration with the School of Public Health (SPH), the joint-degree DMD-MPH offers a unique opportunity for students to earn the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Sciences concurrently within a five-year period.
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Program Overview
Offered in collaboration with the School of Public Health, the joint-degree DMD-MPH offers a unique opportunity for students to earn the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and Master of Public Health (MPH), in Community Health Sciences concurrently within a five-year period.
The DMD-MPH joint degree program will prepare dental school graduates to combine their clinical knowledge and skills with public health approaches to address population-based oral health challenges. Students will complete the requirements for both degrees, completing 250 hours in total.
The Doctor of Dental Medicine is a professional degree that ensures the graduate is competent in the practice of general dentistry and has strong competencies in health promotion and disease prevention, diagnosis, evidence-based practice, communication, collaboration, and community engagement.
More information about the Doctor of Dental Medicine program
The Master of Public Health is a professional degree that ensures the graduate has a general understanding of the field of Public Health with specific competence in Community Health Sciences and concrete skills and experience in Public Health settings.
More information about the UIC Master of Public Health program
Curriculum
The MPH, in Community Health Sciences Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) curriculum is based on a 42 semester hour minimum. The DMD Curriculum consists of 212 semester hours over 4 years. Earned separately, students would complete a total of 254 hours. In the joint degree program, students will complete a total number of 250 joint degree program hours. Due to the distinct structure of these joint programs, opportunities for integration will occur in the (DCLE) 342: Community Learning Experience in Dentistry II (5 sh). In the program’s 5th year, the student will register for the MPH Applied Practice Experience and Integrated Learning Experience Interdisciplinary Public Health Sciences while simultaneously completing the DMD Extramural rotation in DCLE 342.
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Program Sequence
The DMD-MPH follows a curriculum that allows students to complete both degrees in five years. Joint degree students are admitted simultaneously, and complete their MPH coursework in the first year of the program, followed by DMD coursework in years 2-5.
Students must meet the eligibility requirements for both programs. If, for any reason, a student opts not to matriculate into the MPH program during this time frame, the student must complete the MPH separately upon completion of the DMD program. Similarly, if a student enrolls in the DMD program only and later decides to pursue a MPH, the student will be advised to contact the School of Public Health directly to pursue this as a secondary degree upon completion of the DMD program.
The program timeline may be adjusted in response to specific training needs of individual students.
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Career Opportunities
The DMD-MPH program offers an exceptional opportunity for those interested in becoming oral health practitioners and leaders in public health. Students will gain knowledge in key areas at the intersection of oral sciences and public health, including community-based oral health program management, care systems evaluations, research and surveillance system design, policy setting and advocacy. These competencies will prepare graduates for roles in health systems, government agencies and private sector organizations that advance public health, develop and advocate oral health policy, and conduct epidemiological research investigations.
How to Apply
Applicants must meet the entrance requirements for both the DMD and MPH programs and must apply separately and be admitted to both programs. Applicants should indicate their interest for the joint degree program on their applications to the DMD and MPH programs.
Use the links below for application to each program.
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Contact
For more information on the College of Dentistry’s DMD-MPH program please send an email to:
You will receive an email response within 3-4 business days.
Questions regarding the MPH program can be directed to the SPH Assistant Dean of Recruitment and Admissions.
Mr. Brandon Sieglaff
Assistant Dean of Recruitment and Admissions
1603 W Taylor St, Room 183 SPHPI
312-413-4300