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Curriculum and Requirements

Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D./Ph.D.)
Our M.D./Ph.D. program integrates the school’s outstanding preclinical and clinical training, rigorous Ph.D. graduate training, and several other elements, including professional development workshops and other activities, specifically designed to enhance the M.D./Ph.D. training experience.

Overview of the Program

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Curriculum Overview is structured into four main stages: MS1, MS2, GRD years, and MS3/MS4. The MS1 stage includes a summer research rotation and Journal Club, followed by a pre-clinical curriculum. The MS2 stage begins with a transition to clerkship, featuring two 12-week clerkships and preparation for the USMLE STEP 1 exam. The GRD stage spans 3-4 years and involves graduate coursework of the program selected, qualifying exams, fellowship application, dissertation research, publications, and longitudinal clinical experiences. The final stages, MS3/MS4, focus on clinical experiences with two additional clerkships, residency applications and interviews, advanced science selectives, sub-internships, clinical electives, and research or scholarly publications. Throughout the program, students participate in ongoing MSTP activities such as Clinical Case Reviews, Scientific Professional Development, MSTP Annual Symposium, MSTP Annual Retreat, and other special events.

Stage Description Duration Additional Info
MS1 Pre-Clinical Curriculum & Journal Club 1 year Summer Research, MSTP Activities
MS2 Transition to Clerkship, Clerkship 1 & 2 12 weeks each STEP 1 Exam, Clinical Case Reviews
GRD Graduate Coursework, Qualifying Exam 3-4 years Fellowship Applications, Dissertation Research
MS3/MS4 Clinical Rotations & Science Selectives 12 weeks each STEP 2 Exam, Longitudinal Clinical Experiences
MS4 Clinical Electives, Advanced Science Selectives, Sub-Internship Varies Apply for Residency, Complete Publications, Clinical Research
Ongoing MSTP Activites Clinical Case Reviews, Scientific and Professional Development Workshops, Annual Research Symposium, Annual Retreat, and other special events. Throughout enrollment Clinical Case Reviews and Scientific and Professional Development WorkShops are held monthly.

Medical School

MSTP students start the program taking the innovative NextGen medical school curriculum launched in 2020. Phase 1 (14 months) includes preclinical coursework using a symptom-based learning approach taught in small groups. MSTP students then complete two of the 4 x 12 week core clinical clerkships of Phase 2 and take USMLE Step 1. After graduate training, students return to medical school to complete their other 2 x 12 week core clinical clerkships, clinical electives and sub-internships, take USMLE Step 2 and apply for residency

Graduate Training

The 3-4 years of graduate training includes coursework, qualifying exams, fellowship applications, dissertation research and the thesis defense. 

Program Integration

Research-related and medical training components are integrated throughout all phases of the program. 
  • MS1/2: Students carry out 3 research rotations and take the MSTP Journal Club during Phase 1 of the preclinical curriculum.
  • Graduate Training: Together with research training, students participate in longitudinal clinical experiences and refresher clinical skills workshops when nearing return to the clinical training.
  • MS3/4: Students complete other research and publications from their thesis research and/or carry out clinical research in their specialty of interest.
  • All program activities: These activities are for trainees at all stages of the program and are organized by the students. They include monthly clinical case reviews, monthly scientific and professional development workshops, and the annual MSTP Student Research Symposium and Retreat. These regular activities promote physician scientist development, cultivate leadership skills, and provide a sense of community for the program.