Dual Degrees at Rowan-Virtua SOM

Explore the possibilities

Many DOs extend the philosophy of treating the whole patient and the community one step further and pursue a dual degree. This offers physicians the opportunity to inform patient care through additional expertise, such as legal and public health topics. Rowan-Virtua SOM offers a broad spectrum of combined degrees to fulfill these objectives. SOM hosts an annual panel, usually held shortly after first-year orientation, which outlines all of the dual degree programs.

DO/PhD in Molecular Cell Biology and Neuroscience

The combined DO/PhD degree program is offered through Rowan-Virtua SOM and the departments of "Cell Biology and Neuroscience" and "Molecular Biology" at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Graduates of this dual program will become physician scientists with the skills to not only practice medicine, but to contribute to the study of diseases, new medical treatments, clinical trials and become educators to the next generation of physicians.

Students must be admitted to SOM and must participate in the Summer Medical Research Fellowship during the summer after their first year. Students apply for this DO/PhD program during their second year of medical school.

DO/PhD in Biomedical Engineering

The DO/PhD in Biomedical Engineering is offered in conjunction with the School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. The first of its kind in the country, this unique program is a physician engineer training program that provides advanced education and training in engineering research and osteopathic medicine. The missions is to educate leaders in the medical profession who can utilize their engineering and research skills as independent investrigators to develop innovative solutions to pressing medical probvlems.

The program has an integrated framework with an empasis on integrating medical and graduate engineering education and training. There are two curriculum tracks:

• Track one requires the student to complete years one and two of medical school and then complete the PhD in BME, in addition to doing BME research in the summer between first and secod year of medical school.
• Track two allows a student to start with the first year of their PhD program and then complete years one and two of medical school.

DO/MBA

The DO/MBA degree program prepares graduates for the increasing need of business acumen in the medical field and emerging careers in medical administration. Graduates learn critical skills to help them:

• Establish, build, and manage medical practices and/or other business endeavors.
• Work more effectively with insurance companies, laboratories, hospitals and other business partners.
• Assume leadership positions within for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
• Analyze and build personal and corporate financial wealth.
• Manage, motivate, and lead others.
• Effectively use and integrate information to improve financial and managerial decision-making.
• Analyze and develop advertising and marketing strategies.

Candidates must apply to and be accepted by the School of Osteopathic Medicine and apply to the Rowan MBA program after their third year of medical school. They attend the following year and then return for their final year of medical school

Learn more about Rowan MBAs by visiting the MBA program website.

DO/MPH

A dual degree that combines Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and a Master of Public Health (MPH) gives medical professionals the ability to see health from a patient's point of view, as well as those of the community and general public. As our citizens age and access to travel brings people from across the globe closer together, the demand grows for integrating the knowledge of public health issues, healthcare and patient/family concerns. There is a wide range of career fields available to those with this dual degree, including biostatistics, public health agencies, research institutions and residency programs related to community health.

• Been accepted to the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
• Taken the MCAT.
• Been accepted into the MPH degree program.

DO/JD

If you are interested in pursuing a career that encompasses both the medical and legal fields, such as hospital administration or public policy, then a joint Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Juris Doctor (JD) degree, offered through a partnership between Rowan-Virtua SOM and Rutgers School of Law—Camden, is a great fit. Less than 1% of the nation's 600,000 physicians and 900,000 attorneys hold degrees in both law and medicine.

This intense program, meant for high-achieving, dedicated students is completed in six years, rather than the traditional seven or eight years. There is a true benefit for the time saved, especially for those individuals who will complete residency training. Prospective students must take both the MCAT and the LSAT and be admitted by both schools to receive consideration.