Dual Degree Programs
Founded in One Health
Penn Vet’s dual degree programs are an integrated approach to clinical and research training towards the goal of One Health — the initiative of pursing links between the health of people, animals, and the environment. Our dual degree programs prepare students for the multitude of career options available to veterinarians in today’s challenging world.
VMD | PhD Program
VMD | PhD training prepares students for multiple diverse career pathways. Graduates play vital roles in our society by excelling in the areas of biomedical research, human and animal health, public health, pharmaceutical research, contract research, government service, military careers, and academic careers.
This program is fully funded.
VMD | Masters Dual-Degree Programs
The One Health VMD+ Dual Degree program is designed to positions students to solve problems at the interface of animal, human, and environmental health.
One Health is the growing recognition that human, animal, and environmental health are intimately connected, as defined by the World Health Organization
A Driver of Innovation
Looking ahead, Wharton has reinforced my belief that veterinary medicine must be integrated with business strategy, policy development, and global markets to drive real impact. By bridging these fields, I can help shape more resilient and efficient food production systems — ensuring that veterinary expertise is not just reactive but a key driver of innovation, sustainability, and economic opportunity in agriculture.
Bailey Carpenter, V’23
A Passion for Wildlife
As a veterinary student passionate about wildlife health, I chose to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies (MES) … my degree has broadened my understanding of not just the individual animal, but also the systems in which they live. This perspective has shaped my One Health approach to medicine and has allowed me to widen my lens when addressing issues pertaining to wildlife.
Lindsay Dwyer, V’25
Equipping Clinicians to Investigate
The VMD | Master of Science in Translational Research (MSTR) program provides the tools to equip clinicians into investigating pathologies and developing diagnostics and therapies that have the potential to be applied in the medical field … It guides you in how to review previous publications, develop new questions, and assess how they can be applied to new clinical cases to find a solution.
Estefania Benavides, V’25
A Passion for Public Health
If it weren’t for the dual degree program, I would not have chosen Penn (Vet) as my veterinary school. Since my undergraduate days, I have known that I wanted to become a Public Health Veterinarian … I’ll never forget completing my thesis project and contributing new knowledge to the profession that impacts all three aspects of One Health! I feel ready and prepared to tackle the real-world challenges as a result of the dual-degree program at PennVet.
Olivia Barner, V’25
Mentorship
In addition to the mentorship students receive through their individual programs, each School designates an individual to work specifically with dual degree applicants to ensure that they receive individualized advising and guidance from the moment they are accepted into the dual degree program. The MSTR student handbook, mentor compact, and additional resources are available on the Perelman School of Medicine.