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Celebrating 25 Years Of Quality Medical Education

Academic Concentration
in Public Health

Medicine Meets
Public Health

Medicine no longer lives only in the exam room. The physicians who will lead in the years ahead must understand not only individual patient care, but also the forces that shape the health of entire populations.

Saint James School of Medicine’s Academic Concentration in Public Health gives students the opportunity to build that broader expertise through coursework offered in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, one of the most respected names in academic medicine. Students who complete this concentration gain meaningful training in epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems, leadership, and policy, while earning a formal graduate-level credential that strengthens both their education and their professional profile.

This is more than an added certificate. It is a clear academic signal that a student is prepared to think beyond the bedside, understand healthcare at a systems level, and contribute in a more informed way to modern clinical practice.

Why This Concentration Matters

Stand Out with a Recognized Credential
Students who complete this pathway earn a UNMC Certificate in Public Health, a respected graduate-level credential from a nationally recognized institution.

Build Skills That Matter in Modern Medicine
Public health knowledge is increasingly relevant across every area of medicine, from preventative care and population health to health policy, advocacy, and quality improvement.

Strengthen Your Residency Profile
This concentration demonstrates academic initiative, broader healthcare awareness, and a commitment to understanding medicine beyond the traditional curriculum.

Complete It Alongside Your MD
The coursework is delivered through UNMC’s online learning platform, allowing students to integrate the program into their MD studies without disrupting their core medical education.

A Built-In Path Toward the MPH

For students who want to extend this concentration into a broader graduate qualification, SJSM also offers a pathway toward the Master of Public Health at UNMC.

  • The 15 certificate credits may be applied toward the MPH
  • SJSM students may also transfer up to 6 credit hours from the MD program toward MPH elective requirements
  • Students may later pursue specialization areas such as Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Emergency Preparedness, or Maternal and Child Health

Lead Beyond the Traditional MD

The Academic Concentration in Public Health is for students who want more from their medical education. It is for future physicians who want to understand not only how to treat disease, but how to improve health at every level, from the individual patient to the wider community.

For students who want to graduate with broader vision, stronger credentials, and a clearer edge, this concentration offers a meaningful way to do it.

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

  • Credential Integration: Students earn a formal UNMC Certificate in Public Health, which is a nationally recognized graduate-level credential.
  • Flexible Learning: This concentration consists of 15 credit hours of external coursework that can be integrated throughout your MD studies.
  • Residency Value: Completing this track demonstrates to residency programs a mastery of population health and preventative medicine.
  • Seamless Advancement: All 15 credits earned in this certificate program may be applied toward a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at UNMC should you choose to continue your education later.
  • Elite Online Education: The program leverages UNMC’s robust online delivery, allowing you to balance public health coursework with clinical rotations or basic sciences regardless of your location.

Requirements for Concentration

To receive the designation of Doctor of Medicine with Academic Concentration in Public Health at graduation, students must satisfy the following:

  • UNMC Certificate Completion: Successfully complete all 15 required credit hours through UNMC. These courses are offered online through the UNMC’s distance learning platform.
  • Mandatory Status: Completion of the full certificate program is required to qualify for the concentration; partial coursework does not qualify.
  • Core Curriculum Stability: This concentration is an additional academic honor and does not alter your core MD curriculum or licensing requirements.
Canadian Students

Curriculum Overview

The 15-credit hour curriculum is comprised of five core graduate courses provided by the UNMC College of Public Health:

  1. Foundations of Public Health (3 credits): An introduction to the history, values, and functions of public health systems.
  2. Epidemiology in Public Health (3 credits): A study of the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations.
  3. Biostatistics (3 credits): Application of statistical methods to the design and analysis of biomedical investigations.
  4. Planning and Evaluation (3 credits): Strategies for designing and assessing the impact of public health interventions.
  5. Public Health Leadership and Advocacy (3 credits): Focuses on policy-making, leadership roles, and advocating for community health.

The Dual MD/MPH Pathway

For students looking to go beyond the Certificate/Concentration, SJSM students have a streamlined path to a full Master of Public Health (MPH).

  • Transfer Credits: SJSM students may transfer up to 6 credit hours from their MD program toward the MPH elective requirements.
  • Specializations: Students can eventually specialize their MPH in areas like Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Emergency Preparedness, or Maternal and Child Health.

Cost & Enrollment

  • SJSM Fee: There is no additional charge from Saint James School of Medicine for this concentration.
  • UNMC Tuition: Students are responsible for tuition and fees required by UNMC for the certificate or degree programs.
  • Academic Performance: Enrollment is open to all MD students; there are no additional academic performance benchmarks beyond those required for the core MD program.

Boost Your MD
with Academic Concentration
in Public Health

For detailed admission requirements or to begin your application, click below:

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Public Health certificate mandatory for all MD students?

No. This is an optional academic concentration for students who wish to earn a formal concentration beyond the standard MD requirements.

Can I get the concentration if I only complete some of the UNMC courses?

No. Completion of the full 15-credit certificate program is mandatory to qualify for the concentration at graduation.

When during my medical school career should I take these courses?

These courses are structured as external coursework that can be integrated throughout your studies. Unlike the clinical concentration, these are not strictly tied to Year 3 or Year 4.

How do I apply for the Dual Degree?

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher and receive approval from the SJSM Academic Dean before applying to UNMC.

Does this impact my licensing eligibility?

No. This concentration does not modify licensing eligibility or change any assessment benchmarks for the MD program.

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