DVM/Master of Public Health Program

Tufts University DVM/MPH (Master of Public Health) program is offered jointly by Tufts University School of Medicine and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Students earn both their DVM and MPH degrees in four years and are prepared for careers in veterinary public health, or to better apply the principles of public health to more traditional forms of veterinary practice or research. 

Veterinarians with an MPH degree are in demand because of their training in all areas of public health, including food safety, epidemiology and biostatistics, infectious disease control and prevention, public health administration, global health, and environmental health. These veterinarians have the knowledge and skillset to respond to emerging zoonotic diseases, address climate change concerns, respond to natural disasters, and secure positions in government leadership. 

The alumni currently work at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Military, in research, international health, private industry and academia. In addition, they are viewed as highly attractive candidates when interviewing for residencies or other work opportunities dedicated to human and animal health. Lastly, our graduates are strong candidates for specialty board certification in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. 

The DVM/MPH public health curriculum is tightly integrated with veterinary course work so that students complete both degrees in four years. The MPH degree complements veterinary students' clinical understanding of the individual with a population-based perspective. It is comprised of 42 credits, ensuring a comprehensive education. 

In the first two years, students take public health core courses on Tuesday afternoons in place of the weekly selectives pursued by other veterinary students. These core courses fulfill key MPH competencies including: 

• Evidence-Based Approaches to Public Health
• Public Health and Health Care Systems
• Planning and Management to Promote Health
• Policy in Public Health, Leadership
• Communication
• Interprofessional Practice
• Systems Thinking

The DVM/MPH program has concentration-specific competencies, and students complete concentration courses including: 

• Global Population Health (with IVM students)
• DVM/MPH Research Methods
• Transboundary and Exotic Diseases and Animals
• Introduction to Veterinary Public Health
• The Legal Basis of Veterinary Public Health

During their first three years, all students also participate in a monthly, small group seminar—Integration of Public Health—designed to integrate what they are learning over time in the MPH curriculum with their pre-clinical training. In their final clinical year, students complete a DVM/MPH Clinical Rotation. 

To round out their education, DVM/MPH students take veterinary public health electives designed specifically for them on the Grafton or Boston campus throughout their 4 years. Electives are intended to enhance individual learning and are offered regularly in flexible learning formats. 

The following are examples of courses taught in recent years: 

• Food Protection for Veterinary Professionals
• BiblioPHILES
• Disaster Medicine
• Veterinary Forensics 
• Chiropteran One Health 
• Self-Directed Study

Practice Experience and Capstone Project

Between first and second years, DVM/MPH students participate in an eight-week summer field experience or placement at a public, private, or volunteer health organization. Each student works with a public health practitioner/mentor on a project which is beneficial to the host agency. The summer field experience is designed to provide students with a real-world opportunity to integrate their knowledge and develop hands-on skills in a practitioner's environment. Students present their project to faculty and students upon completion and develop this foundation for their Capstone Project. 

Between second and third years, DVM/MPH students complete a capstone project or an in-depth public health practicum which provides an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to propose a solution to a veterinary public health problem. Students must draw upon all of the public health core disciplines and become more familiar with veterinary public health practice. Practicums may be completed in the field, as a continuation of their field experience, or may be designed as an individual research project. Students are strongly encouraged to contribute to engaged scholarship or meaningful research and publish a manuscript at the conclusion of the experience. 

Interested applicants must apply separately to the DVM and MPH programs, meeting application requirements of both programs. In January or February, DVM applicants receive information and an application for the MPH program once they have been interviewed. The MPH application for admission must be submitted in early March to the Office of Admissions at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Applicants are notified of admission to the program by early April. Acceptance into the Tufts DVM/MPH program is dependent upon acceptance into the DVM program. 

Approximately six to eight students are admitted each year to the DVM/MPH program. Selection is based on the quality of DVM application materials as well as supplemental MPH application and essays. 

Tuition and fees for the year are payable according to Tufts University guidelines. An MPH tuition that is additional to the DVM Program tuition is charged each semester of the four-year program. All tuitions are subject to yearly increases. See our Tuition & Fees page for current MPH tuition rates and cost of education information.

Financial Aid for the MPH program is not guaranteed. Therefore, it is important for students to be prepared to pay their MPH tuition. Tuition assistance may be sought through traditional student loan venues. More information regarding financial aid can be found on the Financial Aid page.

Interested prospective students should feel free to contact Dr. Meera Gatlin, director of the DVM/MPH program.