MD/PhD Program

The MD/PhD in Public Health Program is available only to students who have earned a baccalaureate degree and have already been accepted to Tulane's School of Medicine (SOM).  Until you have earned a baccalaureate degree, you are not eligible to begin or graduate from the MD/PhD in Public Health Program. If you have not been accepted to Tulane's SOM, use this link for more information about applying to SOM. In addition, applicants to the 4-year program must have earned a 28 or higher on the MCAT or a 504 or higher on the MCAT2015. 

If you have already earned a medical or osteopathic degree, or are pursuing your medical degree from a school other than Tulane, you are not eligible for the MD/PhD in Public Health Program; however, use this link to Tulane's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, which welcomes your inquiries about pursuing a PhD in public health.

You may not begin the application process until you have received your letter of acceptance from SOM.

Application Deadline

The application priority deadlines for the MD/PhD in Public Health combined degree program is as follows:

February 15: Acceptance deadline.  Apply by February 15 to be considered for Fall admission of that year.

Application Contents

If you are an incoming or an SOM student , submit each item below.

• School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (SPH) application.  Email Rachael Ruiz to request an application as a Word document that you will complete and email back.  Please note that the application will include an information release statement that allows the MD/PhD in Public Health program office to copy your SOM application file (so that you do not need to submit additional transcripts, MCAT scores, AMCAS information, or letters of recommendation for your MD/MPH application).
  • Please note that some departments require different test scores (i.e. GRE) and certain required prior coursework.
  • Please note that you must select only one public health department to which you will apply,  please browse the SPH web site and read about each department, including the projects the department is involved in, the research interests and projects of faculty, course descriptions, etc.  This information may help you match your interests with the appropriate SPH department.
• Career Statement.  As part of your application, you will also submit a career statement.  A written statement of career goals and objectives is required and should not exceed 1,500 words.  You must submit a detailed description of your specific research goals and interests and how you plan to incorporate your public health degree into your career as a medical professional.
• Three letters of recommendation to highlight public health.  Written recommendations are required from three individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional performance.  At least one recommendation must be from a person with an earned doctorate and preferably at least one recommendation from outside Tulane University.  Written recommendations should speak to the applicants' strengths and skills as a PhD applicant, please have your recommender mail/fax them directly to the MD/PhD in Public Health Program office to the following address:

Please visit each department's PhD website for further information on requirements.  Some courses in School of Medicine will be considered on a case by case basis for credit towards Public Health course work. Please discuss with the SPHTM department advisor.

MD/PhD in Public Health students pay public health tuition, academic services fees, and technology support services fees as they enroll in SPHTM classes.  Visit Accounts Receivable for current published SPHTM rates.

Financial aid is available to help cover the costs of tuition and expenses.  MD/PhD in Public Health students should contact the Office of Financial Aid at 504.988.6135 for financial aid information and deadlines. (On the Financial Aid website, choose "Medical Students" link.)