<p>Looking forward, MD/PhD but not in hard science? </p>
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<p>I have college left to finish but im starting to look forward towards my career and post-collegiate education. I've become increasingly interested in political psychology, intelligence analysis, government in general. I feel like having an MD (certified in psychiatry) and a PhD in government or the like would be useful, not just to further my education in the field but looking down the road if i decide to change careers mid-life etc. My concern is that getting and MD/PhD in unrelated fields seems rather difficult. I know schools like Harvard offer M.D./M.P.P deals but i think Id like to take it further. I know about MSTP, but no one makes specific reference to MD/PhD studies in non-hard sciences. Any input from anyone with some experience...</p>
<p>What you propose isn't impossible but it's an extremely long road, when you consider the amount of training required in EACH of these fields. I do political science for a living and I don't think I've ever met anyone with this combination of degrees.</p>
<p>If you're interested in political psychology, there are several PhD programs worthy of consideration -- or perhaps I could say several well regarded scholars in this subfield who could guide you at good or excellent PhD programs in political science. In these you could also include specialized study in psychology perhaps as a minor but at least as part of your training in the subfield of political psychology.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you really want to do psychiatry, and then apply those skills in a government context, you should go to med school and take it from there. You wouldn't necessarily need further certification unless you wanted to teach politics/govt at the college level.</p>
<p>Not exactly the same as getting an MD and a PhD in humanities, but analogous:
The head of the FDA in the 90s, David G Kessler has an MD from Harvard and a JD from U of Chicago. He in fact got both degrees in rapid succession. He is a brilliant guy, and his training enabled him to lead the FDA through the 90s.</p>
<p>Thanks Achat...i appreciate the reference, certainly a good role model to consider.</p>
<p>Mackinaw, first off I'd like to thank you greatly for your input. Certainly I have considered the perhaps initially unnecessary nature of having both degrees but at the same time am tempted by the appeal of understanding the concepts rather thoroughly from both sides of perception and of always having a vocational fall back. As we now see, the trend started in my parents generation and one speculated to continue to grow in mine, is one of career changes at least once if not more times in a life time. I'm aware that it is more difficult to go back to school once you are out of it, and so that is something I have in the back of mind.</p>
<p>Well, i think i explained it above, that I'm interested in political psychology and security policy...to me, a PhD as the highest form of education, would be the best way to pursue the other side of my interests. I feel like if i was too weighted on the psychoanalytical side, my work could be biased...i dont really know, im looking for input</p>
<p>If you are interested in taking courses in politics in order to pursue a career in political psychology and security policy, the best thing is to take relevant poli sci courses, but not to go for a Ph.D. For the Ph.D., you will need to prepare for different fields for the general exams and then write a dissertation. That is overkill for what you want to do.</p>
<p>It seems to me, however, that the fields that might be of more interest to you are psychology and sociology and perhaps medical anthropology rather than political science.</p>
<p>What I was driving at was do you want to work for the government? Except in very discrete areas Phds are unnecessary. Generally people start at the entry level (or somewhat higher if they have outside experience) and work their way up based on skill and experience. A Phd, absent significant, very high level, job-related experience, or a political appoitment, doesn't mean a whole bunch.</p>
<p>I know people who have done MD/Ph.D. in fields related to public health (public health, economics, sociology, anthropology). This is a great combination and these people work at places like the World Bank & WHO. Long and arduous road yes but very rewarding.</p>
<p>i just noticed that for example UChicago/Pritzker offer a dual degree program where you can do PhD in politics and an MD concurrently...does anyone know about these opportunities not just at Uchic but elsewhere as well (MeSH i think is part of it?)</p>