Doctor of Medicine / Master of Business Administration Combined Program (Business)

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and the Faculty of Business offer a program of combined study which permits highly qualified students to earn both the MD and MBA degrees in five years.

Each student must apply separately to the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (for admission into the MD program) and to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (for admission into the MBA program).

In addition, students must indicate on their online graduate application that they are applying to the combined MD/MBA program.

In addition to new entrants, students in the first or second year of the regular MD program are eligible to apply for the combined program.

Entrance Requirements

Acceptance by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (for admission into the MBA program) and by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (for admission into the MD program) separately, are prerequisites for admission into the MD/MBA program. Admission into each Faculty will be determined by the same selection process and criteria as for other students. In addition, each student must be admitted into the combined program; in this case admission will be determined by a selection committee composed of representatives of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and the Faculty of Business. Since this is a special program, particular attention in the selection process will be given to:

The student’s past academic achievement; and
The student’s maturity, interest and a rationale of how such a combined program will enhance the student’s career and professional skills.

Program Requirements

The first two years are taken entirely within the MD program, the third year entirely within the MBA program, the fourth year and fifth year (final year) will be completed entirely in the MD program. The MD portion of the program consists of the normal requirements of the MD program while the Business portion of the program consists of 42 units.

MBA courses: students who obtain a grade of less than C+ or who fail to complete one of the MBA courses may, upon the recommendation of the Associate Dean (MBA), with the approval of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, retake the course(s) or take an alternate course(s). Students repeating or taking an alternate course(s) must obtain a minimum grade of C+ and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 (University of Alberta Calendar, Minimum Faculty Requirements ).

MD residency is pass/fail.

Upon the successful completion of the five-year program, candidates will receive both the MD and the MBA degrees.

Inquiries regarding the combined MD/MBA degrees program may be directed to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry or the MBA Office in the Faculty of Business.

Academic Standing

A student is subject to the academic standing regulations and routes of appeal for grades and for academic standing of the Faculty in which the student is registered.

Therefore, during the first, second, fourth and fifth year of the combined program, the student shall refer to the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry’s academic standing regulations and right of appeal procedures.

In the third year of the combined program, a student is subject to the academic standing regulations and routes of appeal for grades and for academic standing of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

If a student withdraws from one of the degree programs or is required to withdraw because of unsatisfactory academic standing, but wishes to remain in the other degree program, the student may be permitted to continue the program of study in the Faculty in which the student retains good academic standing.

Length of Program

Students enrolled in the combined program on a full-time basis can complete the program in five calendar years. The duration of the total program must not exceed six consecutive calendar years.