4 dual degrees for MDs — and their potential career paths

Physicians are increasingly applying their clinical knowledge outside the medical setting. AAMC News has outlined several degrees students can pursue alongside an MD, which can lead to diverse career paths and enrich students' knowledge of the multiple factors affecting healthcare.

Four dual degrees for MDs:

1. MD-PhD

Pursuing an MD-PhD is ideal for aspiring physician-scientists. "Physician-scientists with both MD and PhD degrees are ideally situated to understand both the clinical needs and opportunities, and the laboratory tools that can be brought to bear to understand disease processes and therapeutic strategies," said Ross McKinney, MD, AAMC's chief scientific officer.

2. MD-JD

Graduates of dual-degree MD and JD programs can pursue careers in medical ethics, healthcare law and legal counseling for hospitals and healthcare systems, among other paths.

3. MD-MPH

Studying for a Masters in Public Health helps physicians understand healthcare in a broader context. An MPH degree focuses on how social determinants of health affect patients' care quality and access. Graduates with both degrees can work for state health departments or national public health organizations, such as the CDC.

4. MD-MBA

Physicians with an MBA can pursue multiple career routes, such as entrepreneurship and consulting. They can also learn skills to help them run their own clinical practices or lead hospital administration.

Click here to view specific examples of physicians who pursued dual degrees.

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