Expand your impact beyond the MD

At the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, dual degree pathways connect our MD curriculum with graduate programs across the university—preparing physician leaders who are as skilled in communication, health informatics and research as they are in clinical care. Our dual degrees are designed to train physicians who can lead in every setting they serve.

MD + MA in Communication Studies

The first program of its kind in the nation, Marshall’s MD + MA in Communication Studies pairs medical education with advanced communication training to prepare future physicians to engage patients, colleagues, and the public with clarity, credibility, and compassion. Through this dual-degree pathway, graduates learn to translate science into understanding and inspire trust across the communities they serve.

At a glance

• Program structure: An integrated four-year dual degree offered jointly by the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (MD) and the College of Liberal (MA in Communication Studies), beginning with students entering the MD program in fall 2026 (Class of 2030).
• Focus areas:
  • Interpersonal and organizational communication
  • Health literacy and patient education
  • Strategic messaging and media
  • Technology, social media and public discourse in health care
• Ideal for students who:
  • Want to improve patient counseling and shared decision-making
  • Are interested in health communication, media, advocacy or education
  • Plan to lead in academic medicine, health systems, public health or policy

MD + MS in Health Informatics

Marshall’s MD + MS in Health Informatics integrates medical education with advanced informatics training to prepare physician-leaders who can harness data, analytics and emerging technologies to improve patient care and drive innovation across health systems.

At a glance

• Program structure: An integrated four-year dual degree offered jointly by the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (MD) and the Lewis College of Business (MS in Health Informatics), open to students entering the MD program in fall 2026 (Class of 2030).
• Focus areas:
• Health data management and analytics
• Electronic health records and clinical information systems
• Predictive modeling and artificial intelligence in health care
• Data governance, privacy and the ethical use of technology
• Clinical decision support and quality improvement
• Ideal for students who:
• Want to lead in data-driven, technology-enabled clinical environments
• Are interested in health systems leadership, quality improvement or clinical informatics
• Plan to shape innovation through AI, predictive analytics or health IT
• Aspire to bridge clinical practice with operational, research or policy roles

MD + PhD in Biomedical Research

The MD/PhD in Biomedical Research program blends comprehensive medical training with rigorous research development, equipping graduates to investigate the mechanisms of disease, translate findings into patient care and lead at the intersection of science and medicine. Most graduates pursue careers in academic medicine, where they conduct disease-focused research and apply new knowledge to improve patient outcomes. >>Learn More

For more information about dual degree programs at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, please contact:

• Dual Master’s Degrees: Nitin Puri, MD, PhD, senior associate dean and chair of medical education, at 304.691.8828 or purin@marshall.edu
• MD/PhD: Richard Egleton, PhD, associate dean of health sciences graduate programs, at 304.691.3523 or egleton@marshall.edu