In addition to the medical degree, the following dual degree programs are available in combination with an MD.
Typically, students apply to these programs after acceptance to the medical school, as there is usually enough time after a medical school acceptance to begin the application process for one of these programs. Please contact the specific program directly to learn more about their processes.
MD/MA in Bioethics and Medical Humanities
CWRU is home to one of nation’s leading bioethics departments. The 30-credit-hour master's degree program, including a 12-credit-hour foundations course taken during the first year of medical school, provides advanced training in bioethics and medical humanities while emphasizing the interdisciplinary and interprofessional nature of the field. In this program, medical students will participate in and contribute to the critical analysis of moral issues related to health, health care, and health policy at local, national and international levels. Medical school students complete the bioethics and medical humanities program while pursuing their medical degrees; no additional time is required.
Contact Leah Jeunnette, PhD
216.368.5377
bioethics@case.edu
Apply to the MD/MA in Bioethics and Medical Humanities
MD/MPH (Master of Public Health)
Graduates of this five-year, 42-hour master’s degree program are qualified to work in local and state health departments, universities and colleges, hospitals, ambulatory medical centers, non-profit organizations and the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Areas of concentration include health promotion and disease prevention, population health research, health policy and management, global health, and health informatics.
216.368.2601
mph-info@case.edu
MD/MS in Applied Anatomy
Students seeking advanced training in the anatomical sciences may begin the 30-hour master’s degree program in the fall or spring semester of the first year of medical school. Required graduate courses include the anatomical sciences core curriculum, completed during the first two years of medical school, and an advanced surgical anatomy course taken in the fourth year. Students earn the remaining credits through elective courses. Completion of a thesis is not required, but students may undertake independent research experiences as electives; a thesis-based program also is available. Interested medical students must apply to the master’s program through the Department of Anatomy.
216.368.2433
anatomy@case.edu
Apply to the MD/MS in Applied Anatomy
MD/MS in Biomedical Engineering
Medicine is undergoing a transformation based on the rapid advances in science and technology that are combining to produce more accurate diagnoses, more effective treatments with fewer side effects, and improved ability to prevent disease. The goal of the MD/MS in Biomedical Engineering is to prepare medical graduates to be leaders in the development and clinical deployment of this technology and to partner with others in technology based translational research teams. Current CWRU medical students in either the University Program (UP) or the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM) may apply to the MD/MS in Engineering program.
Students must complete the normal requirements in either MD program. Portions of the medical school curriculum earn graded credit toward the MD/MS degree. Six credit hours can be applied to the MS component of the joint degree. The balance of 12 credit hours (four courses) must be graduate level engineering concentration courses that provide rigor and depth in a field of engineering relevant to the area of research. All students attend monthly seminars focusing on the integration of engineering and medicine, with the opportunity to present their own research and to hear and interact with other presenters. Students must also complete training in the responsible conduct of research. The thesis serves a key integration role for the joint degree, with both medical and engineering components. The thesis also fulfills the research requirement of the UP or CCLCM programs.
Students should apply through the BME department admissions office.
Contact the BME Admissions Office
216.368.4063
bmedept@case.edu
Apply to the MD/MS in Biomedical Engineering
MD/MS in Biomedical Investigation
The goal of the five-year joint MD/ Masters of Science in Biomedical Investigation program at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is to train medical students in basic or clinical research approaches so that the physician graduate may conduct research to advance health. The core activities for this degree include limited credit from the medical core curriculum, three to six graduate courses in specific tracks, participation in a common seminar series, scientific integrity training, and a requirement for a special problems project that reflects a full year of research (18 hours of 601 non-graded credits) culminating in a written report and examination. Students are anticipated to complete all graduate courses before entering the research year, allowing full focus on the research experience.
For students to receive graduate credit for medical coursework, they must register for IBIS credit (see below) in advance of the preclinical medical school semester. Students are likely to complete the required two semesters of research 601 after the pre-clinical years in medical school, although the research could occur in other years. Before initiating full time research, the trainee must submit a final Program plan to the Program Oversight Committee that summarizes the courses taken, the proposed thesis topic, and the names and credentials of the MS Thesis Committee. During the research period, the student is expected to participate in track-specific graduate activities including retreats, student talks, journal clubs and other program functions. Only under unusual circumstances will the student be allowed to satisfy the research requirement in non-contiguous semesters.
Each track within the joint MD/MS Program has specific course requirements, described in each graduate department MS section. Available tracks include: Biochemistry, Clinical Research (CRSP), Epidemiology, Nutrition, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Biotechnology. As a minimum, graduation requires successful completion of 9 graded credits of graduate courses, 6 graded credits of IBIS medical curriculum, 18 non graded credits of research, and additional non graded credits for departmental seminar and the exam and zero credits for scientific integrity training (IBMS 500 On Being a Professional Scientist: The Responsible Conduct of Research or CMED 500 Scientific Integrity in Biomedical Research) in the program. Students are required to pass an examination (IBIS 600 Exam in Biomedical Investigation) established for each student, generally reflecting the preparation and oral defense of a written report on the project.
som-geo@case.edu
216.368.5655
MD/MBA in Business
There is a growing need for physicians with business skills to manage organizations such as corporate practices, hospitals, etc. Those who complete this 5-year program will be able to apply learned management principles and take leadership roles as they navigate through varying and increasingly complex healthcare environments.
casemed-admissions@case.edu
216.368.3450
MD/MA in Anthropology
This 4-year dual degree program is an organized course of study for students with a range of medical anthropological interests, from ethnomedicine to international health, urban health, psychiatric anthropology, psychological anthropology, cross-cultural aging, human adaptation and disease, nutritional anthropology, etc. The program is designed for students who wish to pursue anthropology beyond the baccalaureate level and to become acquainted with professional work in anthropology and to meet the challenges of our increasingly globalized world.
MD Contact: casemed-admissions@case.edu or 216.368.3450
MA Contact: Linda LaPinta, 216.368.2264