Program Overview

DDS/MPH Dual Degree Program

The DDS/MPH Dual Degree Program is offered by the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and the Colorado School of Public Health on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. This program allows students to concurrently receive a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in a concentration of their choice.

Program Overview

Students in this program can choose from various concentrations, including:

• Applied Biostatistics
• Community & Behavioral Health
• Environmental & Occupational Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Systems, Management & Policy
• Leadership & Public Health Practice
• Maternal and Child Health
• Population Mental Health & Wellbeing
• A custom concentration

Eligibility

Only students already in or accepted into the University of Colorado DDS program are eligible to apply for the DDS/MPH Dual Degree Program.

Curriculum

The MPH curriculum consists of:

Master of Public Health Core Courses

• Applied Biostatistics I (BIOS 6601, 3 credits)
• Epidemiology (EPID 6630, 3 credits)
• Social & Community Factors in Health (CBHS 6610, 3 credits)
• Health Systems Management Policy (HSMP 6601, 3 credits)
• Environmental & Occupational Health (EHOH 6614, 3 credits)
• Foundations in Public Health (PUBH 6600, 2 credits)

Master of Public Health Concentration Courses

Students must complete 12-15 credits in their chosen concentration.

Practice-Based Learning Courses

• MPH Practicum (PUBH 6606, 2 credits)
• MPH Capstone Preparation (DEPT 6990, 1 credit)
• MPH Capstone Integration (PUBH 6991, 1 credit)

DDS Curriculum

Up to 9 credit hours from the DDS program can count toward completion of the 42-credit hour MPH. The DDS curriculum includes:

• Community Public Health 1 (DSCD 5501, 2 credits)
• Health Communication & Person-Centered Care (DSCD 5504, 1 credit)
• Community Public Health 2 (DSCD 5601, 1.5 credits)
• Community Public Health 3 (DSCD 7709, 1 credit)
• Behavioral Health Sciences (DSCD 7710, 1 credit)
• Gerontology and Geriatric Health Care (DSCD 7711, 1 credit)
• Dentistry for Adults with Special Healthcare Needs (DSCD 7730, 1 credit)
• Interprofessional Healthcare Ethics and Health Equity (IPHE 6000, 1 credit)

Program Structure

Students can pursue the MPH through one of two pathways:

1. Take 3 MPH courses during the summer before joining the SDM, and complete the remaining didactic coursework online during DS1-DS3 years of the dental curriculum.
2. Take approximately 18 credits of online MPH didactic coursework between DS1-DS3 or DS2-DS4, and complete the MPH practicum and capstone in a fifth year after DS4.

Quick Facts

• Program location: CU Anschutz
• Credit hours: 42
• Sample careers:
  • Oral health practitioner
  • Dental epidemiologist
  • Public service dental officer
• Skills gained:
  • Population health
  • Public health program design
  • Systems of care evaluation

Tuition and Fees

Students will pay the current MPH per credit hour tuition rate for all credits taken through ColoradoSPH.