MD/MPH Degree and Career Options

Tulane MD/MPH students are eligible to earn their degree in any of our six departments. Browse the options below to learn more about each concentration and the career paths available.

Epidemiology

Epidemiology has been defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases and disabilities. In recent years, it has also come to include the evaluation of therapeutic and preventive interventions by randomized clinical trials. Students will learn the fundamental methods of both observational and experimental epidemiology. General methods of clinical research will also be covered. The curriculum is relevant to students who will practice in any branch of medicine because the ability to appraise the medical and health literature critically is the primary skill that all students will acquire. MD/MPH students in this department pursue the MPH in Epidemiology. Visit the Epidemiology Department or contact the program's Academic Advisor Lydia Bazzano, MD, PhD or Department Administrator Therese Carter for more information.

Career paths of graduates:

Clinical medicine, clinical research, preventive medicine, epidemiology, public health, occupational health, aerospace medicine, government, industry, and academia.

Biostatistics and Data Science

Students will acquire a broad range of data analytic skills, including principles of statistical inference, methods of data description and analysis, and database management. The MSPH in Biostatistics prepares candidates for research in medical sciences and better understanding of the literature. Visit the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science or for more information, contact Yao-Zhong Liu, MD, PhD.

Career paths of graduates:

Academic medicine, clinical research, consultant to managed care and other organizations.

Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences

MD/MPH students pursuing the MPH in Community Health Sciences will be prepared for leadership roles in community health practice through education, research, and practice directed at community-based health promotion and disease prevention. Visit Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciencesor contact Academic Advisor Mark Dal Corso, MD, MPH.

Career paths of graduates:

Primary care or specialty care physicians involved in programs for populations at risk.  Research program director, state health director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officer, or potential clinical and program policy positions with local, national, or international focus.

Environmental Health Sciences

The Department of Environmental Health Sciences strives to equip students with the knowledge and skills to accomplish the following: 1) Apply scientific principles in toxicology, industrial hygiene, policy, and oncology to prevent, detect, and mitigate environmental public health problems and threats locally and globally; 2) Conduct research for innovative solutions to environmental health issues; and 3) Investigate and monitor environmental hazards and community health status. MD/MPH students in this department pursue the MPH in Disaster Management. Visit Environmental Health Sciences.

Career paths of graduates:

Graduates find employment in diverse settings including academic institutions, federal and state public health and regulatory agencies, industry and government research, and consulting firms including Centers for Disease Control and prevention; United States Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of Energy; Louisiana State Department of Environmental Quality; Freeport McMoRan; Mississippi State Health Department; LA Office of Public Health, Environmental Epidemiology Program; Ergonomics, Atlanta Medical Center; Industrial Hygiene, Kennedy Space Center; Environmental Health, Safety & Security Manager, Anheuser Busch.

Environmental medicine; occupational medicine; clinical research, including environmental oncology and genetic toxicology; preventive medicine, environmental public health; occupational health; aerospace medicine; and environmental policy.

Health Policy and Management 

Building on the strengths of medical education and health systems management, this program is designed to support the development of aspiring physicians to assume leadership roles in the delivery of health services that improve the health status of individuals and populations. To accomplish this purpose, our program mentors future health care leaders toward clinical and managerial synergy.  For more information please contact Mark Diana, PhD or Alison Rinehart or visit Health Policy and Management.

Career paths of graduates:

Chief executive officers, physician executives, medical directors, preventive medicine physicians, consultants to healthcare organizations, group practice leaders, and senior management of health systems.

Tropical Medicine

The goal of the Tropical Medicine MD/MPHTM is to prepare health professionals with clinical backgrounds to deal with the important medical and public health problems of tropical developing countries, and to provide training for students who wish to be eligible for certification in clinical tropical medicine and traveler's health (by exam, given by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene). MD/MPH students pursue the Master of Tropical Medicine and Public Health (MPHTM) in this department. Visit the Tropical Medicine Department's web site or contact Program Manager Melissa Mo-Billiot for more information.

Career paths of graduates:

Working with World Health Organization (WHO), Epidemiology Intelligence Service (EIS) at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, positions with medical mission organizations and overseas military assignments, and preventive medicine.