Go beyond clinical care
Improve patient and business outcomes through the dual MBA/MD degree from Tippie College of Business and Carver College of Medicine.
Few industries have faced the amount of disruption that healthcare has in the last decade, and one thing is certain: more is coming. With sweeping legislative mandates, changing pricing models, and critical choices to make on potentially disruptive technology investments, healthcare organizations depend on sound business decisions to flourish and thrive in an era defined by change. And to do this, they need physician leaders who are as well-versed in business as they are in medicine.
The dual MBA/MD degree program develops healthcare leaders from high-performing students who combine medical ambitions with business aspirations.
Invest now to save later
The ideal time to acquire your MBA is while you are still a medical student. You'll invest just one additional year—while you're already on campus and dedicated to studies—and you'll graduate with MD and MBA degrees. This brief extension to your academic career saves you time, money, and stress later in life, as you won't have to return to graduate school when you should be focused on developing your professional career.
Accelerate your career
Physicians with MBA degrees have accelerated careers commensurate with the expertise they develop in business school. Research suggests that "starting salaries for joint MD/MBA physicians are significantly higher than those commanded by most new MDs and reflect a different mix of responsibilities than physicians who do not have an MBA."1
Credit for high-achievers
As a medical student, you've demonstrated dedication, commitment, and superior academic skills. When you choose to seek an MBA in addition to your MD degree, we'll waive the 18-month professional work experience requirement typically required for admission to the MBA program. There's no GMAT or GRE required, so you can apply without additional work experience, preparation, coursework, or exams.
Flexibility that works for medical students
The dual MBA/MD degree combines your medical education with Iowa's premier business education program in a format that allows you to earn your MBA with just one additional year of study.
Iowa MBA courses are typically delivered over an 8-week period, primarily on weeknights. A limited number of courses are delivered in a condensed format (one to five weeks in length).
While courses can be taken online, a set of core MBA classes are offered at our Iowa City campus. These courses are being offered to Master of Finance and Master of Business Analytics students and may be open to dual MD/MBA students if course capacity allows.
Program overview
Timing
Typically, students begin the MBA program after completing three years of medical education and clinical experience. The fourth year is spent with Tippie College of Business, completing most of the core curriculum and two electives of their choosing. The student then returns to the MD curriculum and participates in another set of clerkships while completing the MBA capstone course (MBA:8310) if it has not already been completed.
5
Years to complete
Admission requirements
The Iowa MBA Program will waive the 18 months of post-baccalaureate work experience normally required for admission for an otherwise qualified MD candidate. You can apply immediately after being accepted into the MD program, or wait to apply until your first or second year of medical school.
Tuition
You'll pay medical school tuition rates during the final year of medical school, plus an additional amount for one Iowa MBA course in the semester you take your MBA capstone course (MBA:8310 Business Integration).
If an on-campus course is taken through the Master of Finance Program or Master of Business Analytics Program and no medical courses are being taken that semester, please consult with your advisor on tuition implications, which vary based on how many courses are taken on campus and your residence status.
In any semester in which both on-campus master’s program and medical school courses are taken, the higher tuition (MD) will be charged.
Credit hours required
33 semester hours of MBA coursework (9 core courses and 2 electives) plus MD requirements. Each degree program accepts, or cross-counts, courses from the other, which cuts the credits you need to earn both degrees by 24 semester hours.
Sample plan of study for the MBA
| Fall (15 s.h.) |
|---|
|
| Spring (15 s.h.) |
|---|
|
| Following Summer, fall or spring (3 s.h.) |
|---|
|
Take the next step
Dual MD/MBA programs are increasingly popular amongst high-achieving medical school students. If you're interested in complementing your medical education with the business skills of a healthcare leader, contact us.