UC Berkeley MPH - Infectious Disease and Vaccinology

[Infectious]

Hello, 

 

First time posting in this forum. I am currently an undergraduate at UC Berkeley who intend to acquire MD, PhD, or MD/PhD.

 

I've been thinking a lot lately about my post-graduation plans and I came across UC Berkeley's MPH IDV program. I would LOVE to learn more about infectious diseases and pathogenesis of bacteria, virus, parasites, and etc before I make the move to tackle more advanced degree(s). I feel that I am not quite ready to decide which path to take and that graduate courses offered through UC Berkeley's 2-year MPH program will satisfy my thirst for knowledge as well as consolidate what I want to do with my life.

 

However, the more I research about MPH programs in general, the more I get the feeling that MPH is a professional degree with which students attempt to use it  to acquire pertinent jobs, and not a mode to solely further one's knowledge. Would it be advisable to attain MPH for the purposes that I have or would it be better to find other opportunities? 

 

Thank you in advance!

[NeurosciMRI]

I think it would be pertinent. I am pursuing a degree in epidemiology with the hopes of attending medical school afterwards. My goal is to be able to use epidemiological methods and biostatistics to engage in research on health disparities, but I also believe obtaining knowledge in clinical medicine will help advance my goals. I also want to be a practicing physician. I think as long as you are obtaining an MPH with the goal of using the knowledge and skills you will gain from your respective program in your career is all that matters. Some individuals who pursue an MPH ultimately get a PhD, but others use the MPH as their terminal degree as well. It all depends on your career interests. I hope this helps.

[thedevolution]

Hi Infectious,

 

I graduated from the IDV MPH program at Berkeley and have seen my classmates go into public health practice, medical/veterinary schools, PhD programs, local/state/federal government, and all in between after graduating. What I liked about the program is that your course requirements include microbiology, virology, and immunology and that you can take classes from different schools and programs within Berkeley if you're interested in more of the biology/science side of infectious diseases. Berkeley's program prepared me for research and program coordination both abroad and at home in the U.S., if that helps any. NeurosciMRI is right in that it really depends on what your end goal is but it doesn't hurt to apply for the MPH if you think that having a public health understanding will further your future goals.

 

PM me if you have any specific questions about the program.

[niihla08]

I'm in Berkeley's MPH program right now (not IDV) but I do know all the IDV people. It's a very small concentration, only 8 people per year and all of them have at least 2 years experience post-grad (most in research). In fact, in our entire MPH class, I think there is only 1 or 2 people that came straight from undergrad (none in IDV). So I'm not sure this program is for you if you have no post-grad experience.

That being said, there are several MPH-ers that want to continue with their PhD and a couple that want to apply to Med school. So you'll be in fine company if that's what you decide.