University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Doctor of Medicine / Master of Public Health, M.D./M.P.H.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs in the University of Nevada School of Medicine

The School of Community Health Sciences and the University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNSOM) offer students the opportunity to pursue dual MD/MPH degrees. The dual program integrates the two areas of study and allows for 6 units to count toward both degrees. MD/MPH students may complete the training for the MPH degree between their second and third or third and fourth years of medical school.  

Contact Information


Jim Kenyon, Graduate Program Director
(775) 784-1649
jlkenyon@medicine.nevada.edu

Mailing Address:

University of Nevada, Reno
Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Mail Stop 0352
1664 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


  • Students shall acquire the body of knowledge and thinking processes necessary to become a competent physician.
  • Students shall acquire the skills necessary to provide competent care for their patients.
  • Students will become self-directed learners particularly within the patient care setting and will strive for ongoing professional improvement.
  • Students must demonstrate effective communication skills necessary to function as a competent physician. 
  • Students shall demonstrate the behaviors befitting an ethical professional at all times.
  • Students shall begin to develop an understanding of the setting in which they will practice medicine and the challenges of providing cost-effective care.

Admission Requirements


In order to be eligible for admission to the MD/MPH program, the applicant must meet all admission requirements for both programs (e.g., submitting MCAT scores and letters of recommendation). Applicants must be admitted first to the University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNSOM). Following that, students interested in the MD/MPH degree apply to the MPH program and must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Completing 45-units is required for an MPH. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must complete all core courses in public health (see section 2, MPH component below) and one MPH area of emphasis in epidemiology or social and behavioral health. Students must pass all courses and 32 elective units in the medical school program. They must also pass the USMLE Step 1-Clinical Knowledge and Step 2-Clinical Knowledge (CK)and Clinical Skills (CS) examinations in order to graduate from the medical program.

I. Program Requirements


During their first two years of instruction, students are provided with opportunities to learn the concepts, skills and professional values essential to the practice of medicine. Beginning with the Class of 2016, they will experience the roll out of UNSOM’s integrated, systems-based block curriculum which is structured to approach the teaching of medical science concepts within a clinical context, with limited lecture hours, and with emphasis on lifelong learning strategies. Each block will utilize a “case of the week” format to align course content with clearly defined objectives that map out the work necessary for successful student learning. Each block concludes with an assessment week for clinical skills testing and a comprehensive examination. The longitudinal clinical skills courses, that may also include a preceptorship in ambulatory care with local physicians, run parallel to the blocks.

MD Component


Note(s):

NOTE: Students are required to take Steps 1 & 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam before they graduate. Students must receive a passing score on Step 1 before progressing to the third year and must pass Step 2-Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 2-Clinical Skills (CS) in order to graduate. The conversion time between the UNR unit system and UNSOM weeks of elective unit is 40-45 hours (or about 1 week’s effort) is equivalent to 1 unit.

D. Fourth Year


  • Electives (32 weeks)
Note(s):

NOTE: Fourth year medical school students choose a number of elective courses, both in Nevada and out of state, to develop depth and breadth in their clinical training. The choices are based on their interests, potential strengths and desire to enhance clinical skills. Students also spend a required four-week rotation with a rural Nevada physician in order to become acquainted with the practice of medicine in a small community. The list below are examples of medical school program electives which can be adapted to the MPH internship and culminating project for 6 overlapping units which may be shared between the programs.

  • FCM 661EM  –Advanced Public Health and Preventive Medicine (Carson City)
  • FCM 662M  –Advanced Clinical Experiences in Nutrition (Reno and Las Vegas)
  • IMED 662PM  –International Medical Experience
  • MED 608M  –Advanced Clinical Experience in Rural Health (Rural Rotation)
  • MED 661LM  –Advanced Clinical Experiences in Underserved Areas (Reno and Las Vegas)
  • PEDI 661FM  –Clinical Allergy and Immunology
  • PEDI 661TM  –Organizational Aspects of Health Care Delivery (Reno and Las Vegas)
  • PEDI 661ZM  –Pediatric Genetics (Las Vegas)
  • PEDI 690M  –Independent Study or Research in Pediatrics (Reno and Las Vegas)
  • PCHY 690N  –Elective in Psychiatry with Department Faculty (Reno and Las Vegas)
  • SURG 690N  –Independent Study/Research (Las Vegas)

NOTE: Some elective opportunities may exist that are not on the list.

MPH Component


Students must choose an emphasis within Public Health (e.g., epidemiology, social/behavioral health, or health administration and policy) and complete the required and elective courses in their area. All emphases require a minimum of 45 units.

B. MPH Concentration Area Requirements: 18 units


Refer to MPH  program in the Community Health Sciences section of the catalog for specific concentration area requirements (e.g., epidemiology, social/behavioral health or health administration and policy).

C. Culminating Experience (3 units)


D. Practicum Requirement: (6 units)


Note(s):

NOTE: 6 weeks of UNSOM electives supports overlapping credit for CHS 798  .

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs in the University of Nevada School of Medicine