The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and UW Hospital and Clinics offer a number of professional degrees. While these innovative programs encompass a variety of disciplines, they share a similar mission of preparing students to meet society's evolving health care needs while promoting lifelong learning.
What is the Difference Between a Professional Degree and a Graduate Academic Degree?
Generally, professional degrees tend to emphasize practice in health settings whereas graduate academic degrees tend to emphasize research of health issues. In turn, professional degrees generally are suited for those who want careers as practitioners of health (collaborating with organizations or individuals to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease) whereas graduate academic degrees are generally suited for those who want careers as researchers of health (finding solutions or understanding of health issues through research and analysis).
It is possible for graduates of either degree type to work in similar settings (such as government or nonprofits), but the scope or focus of their work would likely be different (practice vs. research).
Explore Our Health Professions Degree Programs
