Recognizing the inherent synergy between osteopathic medicine and public health, and the growing interest among osteopathic medical students to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) concurrently with the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), CGU and the Department of Population Health Science at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU/COMP) have partnered since 2021 to offer a four-year DO/MPH dual degree program. The dual degree curriculum blends WesternU’s comprehensive medical training with CGU’s public health expertise, equipping graduates to effectively tackle healthcare disparities and enhance community health strategies.
The program is meticulously designed to develop leaders capable of innovating within clinical settings and influencing public health policies. Through an innovative, experiential, and transdisciplinary approach to public health education, WesternU osteopathic medical students acquire a solid foundation in the core areas of public health while developing expertise in a specific area of practice. From preclinical and throughout their clinical rotations, dual-degree students learn concurrently from expert CGU public health faculty, gain knowledge of emerging global healthcare trends, and collaborate on solutions to major health challenges, while developing their leadership potential.
The synergy between CGU’s expertise in public health and WesternU’s excellence in medical training creates a robust educational pathway that equips graduates to navigate and lead in the complex landscape of healthcare today. By integrating medical education with public health perspectives, the program prepares its graduates to address critical issues such as healthcare disparities, access to care, and the delivery of culturally competent medical services.
Program Highlights
- Dual Degree: Designed specifically for DO students at WesternU/COMP and COMP-Northwest to be completed in four years with both degrees conferred simultaneously upon satisfactory completion of all programmatic requirements.
- Streamlined Application: The application process takes minimal time to complete due to coordination and sharing of official transcripts between the registrars of CGU and WesternU.
- Flexible Online Learning: Individualized and coordinated interinstitutional curriculum mapping.
- Applied Practice Experience: Opportunity for supervised public health field experience in one of over 130 county, state, federal, or community-based agencies.
- Public Health Concentrations: Choose from Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Health Promotion, Education & Evaluation, or Leadership & Management.
- Financial Assistance: Opportunity for a unique fellowship discount on CGU tuition for WesternU osteopathic medical students enrolled in the dual degree program.
Program At-a-glance
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44 units
required units
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Master of Public Health | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
degree awarded
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Hybrid
modality
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Spring, Summer, Fall
program start
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4 years | full time*
estimated completion time
Areas of Concentration
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Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology
Conduct research on the incidence and prevalence of diseases and examine the determinants of health and disease in local, national, and international communities.
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Health Promotion, Education & Evaluation
Study how behaviors within environmental contexts, operating at individual, organizational, community, and societal levels, affect health and well-being.
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Leadership & Management
Gain an understanding of leadership skills and be able to apply public health principles to health problems in local and international settings.
Faculty
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Bree Hemingway
Assistant Clinical Professor of Community and Global Health,
Associate Director of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program,
Co-director of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)/MPH dual programResearch Interests
Program evaluation, health disparities, and public health workforce development
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Andrew Pumerantz
Professor of Population Health Science, Internal Medicine, & Infectious Disease
Director, Department of Population Health Science at WesternU/COMP
Co-Director, DO-MPH Dual Degree Program
Adjunct Professor, CGU/SCGH -
Jamie Felicitas-Perkins
Assistant Professor of Practice of Community and Global Health,
Director of the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programResearch Interests
Determinants of health among racially/ethnically diverse, underserved, and underrepresented populations; health disparities among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders; cancer disparities and contributing factors; cancer prevention; tobacco control and prevention; tobacco-related disparities; and community-based participatory research
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Jessica Clague DeHart
Associate Professor of Community and Global Health
Research Interests
Epidemiology, chronic disease, cancer etiology, cancer survivorship, molecular and genetic epidemiology, lifestyle intervention trials, exercise, nutrition, quality of life, community-based interventions
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Yusuke Shono
Assistant Professor of Community and Global Health
Research Interests
Application of theories and models of cognitive processes;
Measurement and validation in cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes assessment;
Implicit cognition and health behavior;
Cognitive assessment and screening -
Paula Healani Palmer
Professor of Community and Global Health
Director of the PhD in Health Promotion Sciences programResearch Interests
Determinants of health among ethnically diverse populations; Community-based participatory research among under-served, underrepresented populations; Health of Pacific Islanders and South Asians; Technology applications for health behavior interventions; Tobacco control, mental health, disaster management, health of migrants and indigenous peoples; Maternal and child health
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Kim D. Reynolds
Professor
Research Interests
Nutrition and physical activity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Diabetes and obesity
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Alan Stacy
Professor
Associate Dean for Faculty AffairsResearch Interests
Application of theories and methods of human memory; Cognitive neuroscience and social cognition to health behavior: etiology, prevention, and media effects; Translation of basic research to field research, high-risk populations, and prevention; Validation issues in assessment
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Bin Xie
Professor of Community and Global Health
Director of the Applied Biostatistics (MS) programResearch Interests
Obesity prevention; Tobacco control; Diet, physical activity, body image in adolescents; Psychological adjustment to obesity; Diabetes and cancer; Application of statistical analysis in prevention research
Curriculum
Core Courses
Theoretical Foundations in Health Education & Promotion
Biostatistics
Epidemiology
Health Services in the US and Abroad
Environmental & Occupational Health
Seminar in Grant Writing & Proposal Development
Foundations of Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Supervised Field Training in Public Health
Public Health Capstone
Concentration Specific Courses
Foundations of Program Planning
Monitoring & Evaluation of Global Public Health Programs
Curriculum & Materials Development
Campaigning & Community Organizing for Public Health
Data Analysis (SAS)
Research Methods in Public Health
Emerging Chronic & Infectious Diseases Worldwide
Applied Geospatial Epidemiology
Public Health Leadership for the 21st Century
Ethics, Human Rights & Cultural Diversity
Management of International Health Programs & Organizations
Health Advocacy
Networking Opportunities
With more than 80 chapters throughout the world, the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health at CGU opens up numerous academic and professional opportunities for SCGH students, including:
- Electing students, faculty, alumni, and honorary members based on high academic standards and outstanding performance in scholarship, teaching, research, and community service.
- Connecting students to a vast networking pool of 15,000 members from the top echelons of graduate schools, programs of public health, and the public health community.
- Opening doors for faculty and students to network and positively impact public health initiatives in the Southern California region.
- Boosting students’ transition from academic life to professional life.
Application Guidelines
Applicants interested in a dual degree should contact an admissions representative.
Cost & Aid
ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.
STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
| $245 Student Fee |
| $150 Technology Fee |
| International Student Services Fee**: $802 fall semester, $898 spring semester **Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes. |
For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.
| Program | 44 units |