Multidisciplinary (Dual Degree) Programs

The five schools of UNT Health Science Center offer numerous opportunities for a student to obtain multidisciplinary training leading to dual degrees.  These unique degree programs provide the students with unique training that further prepares them to be leaders in the inter-professional delivery of healthcare in the 21^st century. 

The original dual degree programs at UNTHSC partnered between the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in which the DO/PhD dual degrees were offered.  DO/MPH and DO/MS dual degrees have been conferred to numerous students over the past 12 years, and UNTHSC was the first and only institution to confer the MPAS/PhD dual degree.  These programs are now expanding to include dual degrees between the MPAS, DPT, PharmD and DO degrees with the PhD (in biomedical sciences), MPH and Masters of Health Administration.  Recruitment for students into each of these dual degree combinations will be open beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year. 

The specific programs currently offered are described below and include:

DO/MS
DO/MPH
DO/MHA
DO/PhD
MPAS/PhD
MPAS/MPH

Future programs will include the:

DPT/MPH
DPT/PhD
PharmD/MPH
PharmD/PhD

 

DO/MS Track

Block 1. Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a “B” average within the medical curriculum and must pass Part 1 and Part 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program advisory committee, the appropriate TCOM Associate Dean and the Dean of the GSBS.

During Block 1, the student will select a graduate advisory committee and file an approved graduate degree plan of at least 30 SCH (which includes 6 SCH advanced standing awarded for the basic science didactic course work required in the DO curriculum) with the GSBS Office of Admissions and Services.

Block 2. Block 2 consists of at least one year dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all course work required for the MS degree, file an approved thesis research proposal, and make significant progress toward the completion of the thesis research.

Block 3. During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations. During this block, the student may also continue work toward completion of the master’s thesis.

At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed at least 24 additional SCH of graduate courses under the GSBS, as required for the second degree, including the thesis. Following completion of the curricula required for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the MS degree through GSBS.

DO/MS Program Schedule 

                                        DO                                                        MS

 Block 1    Year 1       Semesters 1-2                                 Lab Rotations (optional)

                 Year 2       Semesters 3-4                                Lab Rotations (optional)

                                                                                       Preparation of Individual Research

                Year 3       Core Clinical Rotations                     Research rotation month                                           

Block 2    Year 4       One Clinical Rotation                        GSBS Courses & Thesis Research

Block 3    Year 5       Final Clinical Rotations                     Completion of Thesis Research

 

DO/MPH Track

There are two options for the DO/MPH track: 1) Professional option or 2) Thesis option.  These options differ in regard to the Block 2 phase below.

Block 1. Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a “B” average within the medical curriculum and must pass Part 1 and Part 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program advisory committee, the Dean of TCOM and the Dean of the School of Public Health.  During Block 1, the coursework completed within the TCOM curriculum will count for between 6-12 credit hours toward the MPH degree as determined by the SPH graduate committee.

Block 2. Block 2 consists of at least one year dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all course work required for the MPH degree for either the Professional Option or the Thesis Option.  For the Professional Option, this coursework will include a public health practicum experience and will culminate with a comprehensive examination or Capstone project. For the Thesis Option, significant progress toward the completion of the thesis research is expected under the direction of a research mentor and graduate committee.

Block 3. During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations. During this block, the student may also continue work toward completion of the master’s thesis as necessary.

At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed the required courses and research requirements according to the SPH degree plan.   Following completion of the curricula required for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the MPH degree through SPH.

                                       DO                                                         MPH

Block 1     Year 1       Semesters 1-2                       

                 Year 2      Semesters 3-4                                     

                 Year 3      Core Clinical Rotations                       

Block 2     Year 4       One Clinical Rotation                  SPH Courses & Thesis Research
                                                                                              (as appropriate)

Block 3     Year 5       Final Clinical Rotations                Completion of Thesis Research
                                                                                               (as necessary)

 

DO/MHA Track

The path to the DO and Masters of Health Administration is a unique curriculum designed for the student who desires to pursue leadership and management roles in health care in addition to practicing medicine.

Block 1. Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a “B” average within the medical curriculum and must pass Part 1 and Part 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program advisory committee, the Dean of TCOM and the Dean of the School of Public Health.  During Block 1, the coursework completed within the TCOM curriculum will count for between 6-12 credit hours toward the MHA degree as determined by the SPH graduate committee.

Block 2. Block 2 consists of at least one year dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all course work required for the MHA degree. This coursework will integrate a health administration internship and will culminate with a Capstone project.

Block 3. During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations. During this block, the student may also complete any requirements for the MHA degree that are pending.

At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed the required courses and research requirements according to the SPH degree plan for the MHA degree. Following completion of the curricula required for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the MHA degree through SPH.

DO/MHA Program Schedule 

                                         DO                                                        MHA

Block 1     Year 1       Semesters 1-2                                  

                Year 2       Semesters 3-4                                     

                Year 3       Core Clinical Rotations                       

Block 2     Year 4       One Clinical Rotation                      SPH Courses – MHA program

Block 3     Year 5       Final Clinical Rotations           Completion of pending MHA requirements       

 

DO/PhD Track

Block 1. Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a “B” average within the medical curriculum and must pass Part 1 and Part 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program advisory committee, the appropriate TCOM Associate Dean and the Dean of the GSBS.

During Block 1, the student will select a graduate advisory committee and file an approved graduate degree plan of at least 60 SCH with the GSBS Office of Admissions and Services (in addition to a credit of 30 SCH hours of advanced standing awarded for the basic science didactic course work required in the DO curriculum).

Block 2. Block 2 consists of at least two years dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all course work required for the Ph.D. degree, file an approved dissertation research proposal, and make significant progress toward the completion of the dissertation research.

Block 3. During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations. During this block, the student will also continue work toward completion of the dissertation.  At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed at least 60 additional SCH of graduate courses under the GSBS, and successfully defended their approved dissertation research. Following completion of the curricula required for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the PhD through GSBS.

DO/PhD Program Schedule

                                          DO                                                        PhD

Block 1     Year 1       Semesters 1-2                                      Lab Rotations (optional)

                 Year 2       Semesters 3-4                                      Lab Rotations (optional)                                                                                     Preparation of Individual Research

                 Year 3       Core Clinical Rotations                        Research rotation month                                          

Block 2     Year 4-5    One Clinical Rotation                     Qualifying exam, GSBS Courses &                   (or 6)                                                                     Dissertation Research

Block 3     Year 6       Final Clinical Rotations                Completion of Dissertation Research
                  (or 7)                                                                    

 

MPAS/PhD Track 

 The MPAS/PhD format is designed on a case-by-case basis to best meet the needs of the individual student. The Graduate requirements are equivalent to those described in blocks 2 and 3 for the DO/PhD Format described above. 

The goal of the curriculum for the MPAS/PhD track is to experience in which the clinical skill training within the MPAS program is maintained while the students complete their PhD-directed research experience. 

Interested students should consult with the Graduate School Staff and/or Director of the Multidisciplinary Programs to discuss possible entry into this program. 

 

MPAS/MPH Track

The MPAS/MPH is a four-year dual degree program. The requirements for the MPH are equivalent to those described in blocks 2 and 3 for the DO/MPH and DO/MHA Format described above. 

The schedule of the curriculum for the MPAS/MPH track will follow the DO/MPS schedule and will involve an additional year within the MPAS curriculum. The clinical skill training within the MPAS program will be maintained while the students complete their MPH coursework and practicum.

Interested students should consult with the Director of the Multidisciplinary Programs or the Graduate advisor of the School of Public Health to discuss possible entry into this program. 

This page last modified May 1, 2012

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