Combined and dual degrees
Combined and dual degrees
The College of Public Health partners with numerous departments and colleges at Ohio State to offer opportunities for you to pursue a dual or combined degree. Whether you want to make deeper connections to the six other health sciences at the Columbus campus or learn how to influence public health in law or public affairs, Ohio State has many graduate and professional programs with strong national reputations to complement your public health interests.
You have the choice to pursue combined or dual degrees already established or work with our advising team to create a personalized graduate program that matches your public health goals and interests. Either way, this path allows you to earn two degrees in a shorter amount of time than you would learning them independently.
Dual degrees
A dual degree is a combination of a graduate degree program from the College of Public Health with any other graduate degree program from another college at Ohio State.
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Master of Health Administration/Master of Public Administration
The MHA-MPA dual degree program prepares you to lead in both health care and public service sectors. This interdisciplinary program develops your skills in health care organization management, policy development and public sector management. It provides broad understanding of health care systems, public policy and administration. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles that require expertise in both public health and public government.
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MPH-Health Behavior and Health Promotion/Master of Public Administration
Develop expertise in both public health and public administration to address complex health issues within government and nonprofit organizations. Students gain knowledge in health policy, epidemiology, community health and health care management, combined with skills in leadership, policy analysis and public sector management. As a graduate, you will be equipped to work effectively in public health and government, advocating for health policies and managing public health initiatives.
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Master of Health Administration/Master of Business Administration
Develop your expertise to lead and manage health care organizations and possess strong business acumen. You’ll gain advanced skills in health care management, policy and regulations with a solid foundation in business strategy, finance and operations. The dual degree prepares you to navigate the complexities of health care systems and the broader business environment, making you prepared for leadership roles in hospitals, health care corporations or health care-related businesses.
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MPH-Health Behavior and Health Promotion/Master of Social Work
Learn to address public health challenges through both behavioral health strategies and social work practices. The dual degree focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing diseases and improving health outcomes through community-based interventions and social support systems. You will gain skills in health education, program planning, policy advocacy, counseling and the social determinants of health to improve individual and community well-being.
Combined degrees
Combine degrees are a combination of your College of Public Health graduate degree with a professional degree (i.e. MD, JD, DVM).
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Master of Public Health/Doctor of Medicine
The Master of Public Health and Doctor of Medicine combined degree prepares medical professionals to conduct impactful clinical studies and gain a comprehensive understanding of public health principles. The combined degree equips graduates to bridge the gap between clinical medicine and public health, fostering innovations that improve patient care, influence health policy and advance medical research at the population level.
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Master of Health Administration/Doctor of Medicine
The MHA-MD combined degree program blends clinical expertise and health care management skills, equipping you to navigate both the clinical and administrative aspects of health care systems. You’ll gain training in medical practice with knowledge in health care policy, finance, operations and leadership. The program is designed for those who aspire to take on leadership roles in hospitals, health systems or health care organizations, where you can influence both patient care and organizational strategy.
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Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Medicine-Medical Scientist Training Program
In Ohio State’s PhD-MD combined degree, you will become a physician-scientist and a leader in health care. You’ll train extensively in research and clinical medicine, create knowledge that benefits humanity and learn alongside professionals who provide the mentorship, sponsorship and training to ensure your personal and professional success.
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MPH-Veterinary Public Health/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The MPH-Veterinary Public Health and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine blends veterinary science and public health expertise. This combined degree prepares you to address animal health, zoonotic diseases and public health concerns from both a clinical and population-level perspectives. You’ll gain knowledge in epidemiology, disease prevention, environmental health and animal welfare with rigorous veterinary training that prepares you for a career preventing and controlling diseases that impact both animals and humans.
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Master of Health Administration/Juris Doctor
Prepare for leadership roles in health care law and management with a combined MHA-JD degree. You will gain expertise in health care systems, policies and administration, alongside a strong knowledge of legal principles, health care regulations and compliance. This combination of legal and administrative knowledge allows professionals to influence health care delivery, advocate for policy change, and lead organizations in a highly regulated and evolving industry.
Public health dual degrees and specializations
Description: You also have the option to a dual degree program within the college or a dual specialization program as part of the Master of Public Health. Opportunities for dual public health degrees and specializations include, but are not limited to:
- Master of Health Administration/Master of Public Health
- MPH-Health Behavior Health Promotion/MPH-Epidemiology
- MPH-Biostatistics/MPH-Environmental Health Sciences
Learn more about the dual specialization program rules.
Undergraduate students also have options to pursue a dual degree through four approved BSPH-MPH programs (3+2 programs).
Frequently asked questions
While it may be possible to complete other combined or dual degrees, those that have not been pre-approved require additional work by the student to meet with faculty to determine if a combined curriculum is possible. This process should begin at least one year in advance of enrollment.
Though each student's program plan will vary, on average a dual degree can be completed in approximately three years. A combined degree adds a minimum of one year to the professional degree length.
Once a student is admitted to both programs, they will be asked to complete either a dual degree or combined degree form for the Graduate School. To complete the form, students must meet with an advisor from both programs and agree upon coursework to be completed. This will serve as a guide for students as they complete both degrees.
Students must be admitted separately to each program of interest. Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.
For intra-college programs, students typically apply to one College of Public Health program and then apply to the second program during their first semester of enrollment in the college (with the exception of the BSPH/MPH program).
For students interested in applying for a dual or combined degree with the College of Public Health, they should follow the required admission process and deadlines from the college.
Once admission is complete to both programs and they elect to pursue the dual or combined option, students will be asked to complete paperwork with the Graduate School to make the combination official.
