School of Medicine > Education > Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs > MD/MBA Program

MD/MBA Program

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Guidelines for Current and Prospective Medical Students
Considering the MD/MBA Program

Overview

The dual degree MD/MBA program is designed for students interested in integrating the study of medicine with training in managerial, financial, and technical expertise in the health care field. The majority of students who matriculate in the MD/MBA program enroll in the Health Care Management major at Wharton, but other majors are also available. Five years are required to earn both degrees. Matriculation into the MD/MBA program obligates the student to follow all regulations and policies of the Medical School and of the Wharton School.

Selection Criteria

Admission to the program is competitive and not all medical students who apply are accepted. Candidates seeking admission are evaluated based on academic and personal accomplishments, emphasizing demonstrated leadership, managerial potential, motivation and capacity to pursue a rigorous management graduate program. Professional development, diversity of background and outside interests, depth of self-appraisal and commitment are especially valued.

Application Timetable

Students are encouraged to apply for the combined degree MD/MBA program after admission and matriculation in medical school. An MD/MBA Information Sessions is scheduled each fall for current medical students who are interested in the MD/MBA program as well as other opportunities at Wharton. Advising is also available through the Combined Degree Office and Wharton to assist students in considering their career interests and plans.

A very small number of students apply simultaneously to the MD and the MBA program. The two admissions processes operate independently and acceptance to one School has no particular influence on acceptability to the other School. Application and acceptance timetables differ significantly and no extension of time will be granted beyond May 15 to accept an offer of admission from the School of Medicine.

Application Process

Students who wish to enroll in the MD/MBA program must take the GMAT exam and must submit an application to the Wharton School for the MBA program. Please see the Wharton admissions website for futher information. In addition, Penn Med students must also submit a Master's Program Registation Form to Amy Nothelfer in the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office (104 Stemmler Hall).

Program Structure

The 5 year curriculum for the combined MD/MBA program is listed below as follows:

	Curriculum	Student Pays	School Receiving Financial Aid	School Processing Tuition
Year 1 Fall	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine
Year 1 Spring	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine
Year 2 Fall	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine
Year 2 Spring	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine
Year 3 Fall	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine
Year 3 Spring	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine
Year 4 Fall	Wharton	Wharton Tuition	Wharton	Wharton
Year 4 Spring	Wharton	Wharton Tuition	Wharton	Wharton
Year 5 Fall	Wharton #	Wharton Tuition	Wharton	Wharton
Year 5 Spring	MD #	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine

# = these semesters are interchangeable but this is the recommended sequence. Students need to notify each School in the spring so they are billed correctly. They also need to apply to both schools if financial aid is needed.

1. Students spend 7 semesters, and 2 summers enrolled in MD coursework.
2. Students spend 3 semesters including one summer enrolled in MBA coursework/internship. This plan assumes that all Wharton courses are taken during the terms when the students are paying Wharton tuition. Some students may opt to take a MBA course, before applying to Wharton, so they have a better understanding of what the program entails. The course:
   • can't be one of the core requirements
   • won't fulfill any degree requirements (should the student be accepted at a later date)
   • can be taken on a pass/fail basis

Curriculum 2000 scholarly study requirement is met by earning the MBA degree.

Financial Information

Tuition will be billed each semester based on course registration and program requirements. Financial aid is available only from the school charging tuition. It is the student’s responsibility to file all of the financial aid applications and documents required to the school in which he or she is enrolled. Students may not receive financial aid from both schools during the same semester. The student is limited to the policies and federal regulations surrounding each school’s educational program. Specific costs are determined annually and are available from the Office of Financial Aid.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE MD/MBA PROGRAM

For Health Care Management only June Kinney Associate Director MBA Program in Health Care Management The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania 204 Colonial Penn Center 3641 Locust Walk Philadelphia, PA 19104-6218 kinneyj@wharton.upenn.edu 215-898-6861	MBA Admissions & Financial Aid Office Mae Jennifer Shores Senior Associate Director The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania 420 John M. Huntsman Hall 3730 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-6340 mba.admissions@wharton.upenn.edu 215-898-6183 see the website to arrange an interview http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba
Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Amy Nothelfer, LSW Coordinator for MD-Masters Programs Suite 100 Annex (Room 104) Stemmler Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104-6087 nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu 215-746-2359	Medical School Admissions and Financial Aid Gaye Sheffler Director Suite 100, Stemmler Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104-6056 admiss@mail.med.upenn.edu 215-898-8001

The MD/MBA program guidelines are continuously updated and are subject to change based on university or program recommendations and policy requirements.