MD-PhD programs are dual-degree medical training programs that allow students to earn both a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These programs are designed for students who want to become physician-scientists, combining clinical practice with scientific research.
Most MD-PhD programs take 7 to 8 years to complete and include medical school training followed by doctoral research and clinical clerkships.
In this guide, you will find a complete list of MD-PhD programs in the United States and Canada, an explanation of how MD-PhD programs work, admission requirements and research expectations, and tips to help you get accepted into competitive dual-degree programs.
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What is an MD-PhD Program?
An MD-PhD program is an integrated dual-degree program that trains students to become physician-scientists. Students complete both medical education and advanced research training, earning an MD degree and a PhD within a single structured program. Graduates often pursue careers that combine patient care with biomedical research.
“MD-PhD … students enter their first year of medical school and complete their pre-clerkship years. During this period they are likely exploring what they are interested in, solidifying their focus in research and seeking supervisors. Then they will take approximately 5 years off of their medical training to complete their PhD. They will then re-engage in their medical training completing their clerkship training, which will complete their program. MD-PhD is a rigorous program and the committee is looking for individuals who are academically strong and possess research skills to succeed in the PhD program. Applicants should be strong clinicians, thus having a breadth of leadership, extracurricular, volunteerism and research experience.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD
List of MD-PhD Programs
Below is a comprehensive list of MD-PhD programs in the United States and Canada. Programs in the United States are organized alphabetically by state to help you quickly locate schools in your region. Canadian programs are listed separately.
Some programs receive funding through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), which provides financial support and stipends for students pursuing physician-scientist careers.
Alabama
University of Alabama School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Arizona
University of Arizona College of Medicine (MSTP)
University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Arkansas
University of Arkansas College of Medicine
California
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of California, Davis School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (MSTP)
Colorado
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Connecticut
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine (MSTP)
D.C.
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Howard University College of Medicine
Florida
University of Florida College of Medicine
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of South Florida College of Medicine
Georgia
Emory University School of Medicine (MSTP)
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Illinois
Loyola University of Chicago - Stritch School of Medicine
Northwestern University Medical School (MSTP)
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science - Chicago Medical School
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine (MSTP)
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Indiana
Indiana University School of Medicine (MSTP)
Iowa
University of Iowa College of Medicine (MSTP)
Kansas
University of Kansas School of Medicine (MSTP)
Kentucky
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Louisiana
Louisiana State University, New Orleans School of Medicine
Louisiana State University, Shreveport School of Medicine
Tulane University School of Medicine
Maryland
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (MSTP)
National Institutes of Health Intramural MD-PhD Partnership
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine (MSTP)
Massachusetts
Boston University School of Medicine (MSTP)
Tufts University School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of Massachusetts Medical School (MSTP)
Michigan
Michigan State University College of Medicine
University of Michigan Medical School (MSTP)
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Minnesota
University of Minnesota Medical School (MSTP)
Mississippi
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Missouri
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine (MSTP)
Nebraska
Creighton University School of Medicine
University of Nebraska College of Medicine (MSTP)
Nevada
University of Nevada School of Medicine
New Hampshire
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
New Jersey
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Mexico
University of New Mexico School of Medicine (MSTP)
New York
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (MSTP)
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (MSTP)
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (MSTP)
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
SUNY at Stony Brook Health Sciences Center (MSTP)
SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
SUNY Upstate Medical University
University of Rochester School of Medicine (MSTP)
North Carolina
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Duke University School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (MSTP)
North Dakota
University of North Dakota School of Medicine
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (MSTP)
Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine
Ohio State University College of Medicine (MSTP)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (MSTP)
University of Toledo College of Medicine
Wright State University School of Medicine
Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (MSTP)
Pennsylvania
Drexel University College of Medicine
Penn State University College of Medicine (MSTP)
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (MSTP)
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Philadelphia, Pa.
Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Rhode Island
Brown University School of Medicine
South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine (MSTP)
University of South Carolina School of Medicine
South Dakota
University of South Dakota School of Medicine
Tennessee
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
University of Tennessee, Memphis College of Medicine
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (MSTP)
Texas
Baylor College of Medicine (MSTP)
Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center College of Medicine
Texas Tech University School of Medicine
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center (MSTP)
University of Texas, San Antonio Medical School (MSTP)
University of Texas, Southwestern Med Center - Dallas (MSTP)
Utah
University of Utah School of Medicine (MSTP)
Vermont
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Virginia
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (MSTP)
University of Virginia School of Medicine (MSTP)
Washington
University of Washington School of Medicine (MSTP)
West Virginia
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
West Virginia University School of Medicine
Wisconsin
Medical College of Wisconsin (MSTP)
University of Wisconsin Medical School (MSTP)
List of MD-PhD Programs in Canada
McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Montreal, Quebec
McMaster University of Faculty of Health Sciences Hamilton, Ontario
Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, Newfoundland
Universite de Montreal Faculte de Medecine Montréal, Québec
Universite de Sherbrooke Faculte de Medecine Sherbrooke, Quebec
Universite Laval Faculte de Medecine Québec, Québec
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Edmonton, Alberta
University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine Calgary, Alberta
University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine Vancouver, British Columbia
University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba
University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Toronto, Ontario
University of Western Ontario London, Ontario
How Long Do MD-PhD Programs Take?
Most MD-PhD programs take approximately 7 to 8 years to complete. Students usually follow an integrated training structure that combines medical education with doctoral research.
A typical program timeline includes:
- Years 1–2: Pre-clinical medical school coursework
- Years 3–5: PhD coursework and dissertation research
- Years 6–7: Clinical clerkships and completion of medical training
Because the degrees are integrated, MD-PhD programs are usually shorter than completing an MD and a PhD separately.
Is the MD-PhD Program Right for Me?
The MD-PhD program is for exceptional students interested in a career in medical research, but you’ll still need to be a well-rounded medical school applicant.
“For the MD-PhD they are wanting individuals to possess additional research skills, however recognizing the unique leadership positions of those with doctoral degrees, they are often situated in academic centers, thus involved in administrative and teaching roles as well! They are still wanting applicants to be strong clinicians, thus having a breadth of leadership, extracurricular, volunteerism and research experience are sought.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.
Keep in mind that even if you choose not to pursue a dual degree program, MDs can still earn their PhDs—and vice versa!
“I pursued a PhD during residency. I had considered doing a MD-PhD as it would provide more opportunities to focus on research prior to initiating my residency training. I opted to complete my MD first and pursue my MSc and PhD during residency as I was concerned about having 5 years off between my pre-clerkship and clerkship years would impact my clinical skills.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.
Struggling to decide between MD-PhD and MD programs? Check out our video below!
MD-PhD Program Admission Requirements
Admission to MD-PhD programs is highly competitive. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance, significant research experience, and a clear commitment to becoming a physician-scientist. Admissions committees evaluate candidates based on academic metrics, research accomplishments, essays, and letters of recommendation. MD-PhD programs require the completion of a four-year undergraduate degree and background in the following disciplines:
These medical school prerequisites are the baseline. Your academic record should include a variety of science and non-science courses. Admissions committees will note your coursework’s difficulty levels and academic improvement over time.
Check with your program of choice for specific course requirements.
GPA and MCAT
According to the latest AAMC statistics, the average GPA of MD-PhD matriculants is 3.71, while the average MCAT score is 510.4. If your academic record does not reflect these numbers, you need to get your grades up. Here are four ways you can start to get into medical school with a low GPA.
- Re-enroll in classes you performed poorly in and get a higher grade.
- Ask your instructors and teaching assistants for extra credit assignments.
- Find a tutor to help with areas where you struggle.
- Plan your school schedule to include subjects in which you excel.
Your MCAT score is an indicator of your academic prowess. Before you take the test, make sure you know what is a good MCAT score and when to start studying for the MCAT. Here are four strategies that can help your MCAT score.
- Give yourself ample time to prepare.
- Start by taking an MCAT practice test to determine areas for improvement.
- Create an MCAT study schedule.
- Take multiple practice tests to monitor improvement. If you consistently score at the 90% percentile in your practice tests, you can start planning to take the actual MCAT.
If you’re still wondering “When should I take the MCAT?”, read our blog for tips.
CASPer Test
The CASPer test is an online situational judgment test designed to assess the suitability of students applying to professional schools. The timed format is challenging, so knowing how the CASPer test is scored is helpful. Learn how to prepare for CASPer and review these CASPer practice questions to ace your test!
“Thanks to BEMO I got a 4th quartile on my casper test!!!!! It took me long to understand the BEMO structure but practice and great coaching made the difference. Without BEMO I would have probably gotten a 2. So don’t hesitate signing up with them, if you are committed, you will also get a 4! Also, buy the BEMO casper book!” - Mike, Former BeMo Student
Essays
You will need to submit a total of three essays for the MD-PhD program:
- Your personal statement,
- The research interest statement, and
- The MD-PhD essay.
Note: If you’re applying through TMDSAS, you will need to submit the Dual Degree essay along with the other essay application components.
“In your personal statement you want to highlight your breadth and skillset in research and areas of interest. You also want to highlight how completing a PhD will make you a stronger clinician and if you are aware, how you see yourself fulfilling the roles of researcher and clinician.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.
While your medical school personal statement answers the question “Why do you want to be a doctor?”, the MD-PhD specific essays demonstrate your research expertise and explain why you have chosen to pursue an MD-PhD. The significant research experience essay outlines your most valuable research experiences, including the nature of the work, your role and contributions, project length, and details about the principal investigators. Your MD-PhD essay tells the story of how you became involved in scientific research and how you want to apply your research to medical practice.
“I used BeMo consulting when applying to my MD/PhD programs this year. As a first time applicant to these programs, it can be overwhelming. Luckily, BeMo’s services are helpful and easy-to-use. They have a fast response and helped me greatly in writing my essays." -- Zhinan Liu, former BeMo student.
Want to know how to write an MD-PhD essay? Check out our video below!
Research Experience
As an MD-PhD program applicant, you must have research experience to demonstrate your exposure to research methods and techniques.
Dr. Monica Taneja, BeMo expert and Psychiatry resident at Harvard South Shore, reminds students that it is important to consider your own passion when finding research opportunities, not focusing solely on what you think the admission committee is looking for.
“I definitely felt that public health gave me a lot of unique opportunities to delve into research related to the social determinants of health and health equity. I noticed that research in this area was not as common compared to basic science or clinical research.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, Harvard South Shore – Psychiatry.
Make sure you can identify what you learned from your research experiences – you will have to outline valuable lessons and skills you acquired in multiple parts of your MD-PhD application and interviews. To bolster your research background, try looking for research assistant positions.
- Talk to your instructors and teaching assistants about participating in their research projects.
- Check for research position postings on your school’s website.
- Reach out to former instructors and ask about research opportunities.
- Contact physicians you volunteered with or shadowed to find out if they are involved in research projects. Even if they are not, physicians can often recommend research-oriented organizations and medical professionals.
You need a strong application, including a research assistant cover letter and CV, to apply to research positions. If academia is your passion, you might want to look into special master’s programs. These graduate degrees are designed to enhance students’ medical school applications and may improve the quality of your research background.
Clinical Experience and Shadowing
Clinical experience is one of the essential extracurriculars for medical school, and having no clinical background will decrease your chances of being accepted to an MD-PhD program.
You can gain clinical experience through:
- Working and volunteering in clinics, hospitals, and hospices.
- Volunteering in long-term care and retirement homes.
- Working as a health professional’s assistant.
- Volunteering as a medical scribe or a personal caretaker.
Shadowing a physician can also increase your knowledge of clinical practice. Take note of memorable lessons you learn – they may be invaluable sources for your MD-PhD essays. Make sure you know how many shadowing hours are required for medical school to fulfill the requirement and how to ask to shadow a doctor.
Dr. Neel Mistry, MD, a graduate from the University of Ottawa medical school and a BeMo admissions expert, says this about his clinical experience:
“These experiences helped solidify my passion for medicine and why I wanted to become a doctor. I was able to draw on these experiences during my medical school application and the interview process.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD
MD-PhD Residency
As an MD-PhD student, you need to find residencies developed to train physician-scientists by fully integrating research into clinical training. The number of residency programs for MD-PhDs is growing, and a wide range of clinical specialty choices exists. During your dual degree program, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore research in different medical specialties.
“By having an area of focus, it allows you to explore if you do want to indeed be a clinician-scientist in the area you have considered or if you have a different scope of the project that might lend itself better to a complimentary specialty. For instance, someone who is interested in head and neck cancers may be quite interested in pursuing otolaryngology however when they focus on their project, they recognize that they prefer the radiology or oncologic treatments and thus pursue interventional radiology, radiation oncology or oncology.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.
You will use the ERAS application to apply to American residency programs and CaRMS to apply to programs in Canada.
FAQs
1. What is an MD-PhD program?
An MD-PhD program is a dual-degree training program that combines medical education with doctoral research training. Graduates earn both an MD and a PhD.
2. How long do MD-PhD programs take?
Most MD-PhD programs take about 7–8 years to complete.
3. Are MD-PhD programs funded?
Many MD-PhD programs provide tuition support and a living stipend, especially those funded through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).
4. Is it harder to get into an MD-PhD program than an MD program?
Yes. MD-PhD programs are highly selective because applicants must demonstrate strong research experience in addition to meeting medical school requirements.
5. Do MD-PhD applicants need research experience?
Yes. Substantial research experience is one of the most important components of a successful MD-PhD application.
6. Do MD-PhD applicants need clinical experience?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to clinical medicine through volunteering, shadowing, or other clinical exposure.
7. Do MD-PhD students need publications?
Publications can strengthen an application but are not required. Admissions committees primarily evaluate the depth of research involvement.
8. What careers can MD-PhD graduates pursue?
Graduates often pursue careers in academic medicine, biomedical research, healthcare leadership, and biotechnology.
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