Welcome to the MD-PhD Program Website
Through the collaborative efforts of the College of Medicine and the Graduate College, the University of Arizona offers a combined M.D.-Ph.D. Program. Doctoral studies may be pursued through one of a number of biomedical sciences departments and interdisciplinary programs. The M.D.-Ph.D. Program is intended for students who are planning careers in academic medicine or biomedical research, or who desire formal research training to enhance their clinical skills.
The specific program of study, including course work, dissertation research, and clinical rotations, is designed jointly by the student, the College of Medicine, and the graduate program. Typically, seven years are required for completion of the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Most students begin their studies with the first two years of medical school, followed by completion of graduate course work and dissertation research, and then by completion of the medical school curriculum.
In some cases, courses may be used as credit toward both degrees. Students are encouraged to use the summer before medical school and the summers between the initial medical school years for laboratory rotations. During their dissertation research years, students may choose to continue clinical activities, such as outpatient clinic preceptorships, on a limited basis.
Admission to the Program
M.D.-Ph.D. students must be admitted to both the College of Medicine and an approved University of Arizona graduate program. Applicants to the Graduate College must specify a particular Ph.D. program. Applicants to the College of Medicine should indicate their interest in the MD-PhD Program on their application and fill out a separate MD-PhD application - available online. A personal interview by the members of the MD-PhD Committee will be conducted for all competitive candidates. Successful applicants will have highly competitive academic records and scores on the Medical College Admissions Test, and be able to document substantive research experience.
For additional information, contact:
T. Phillip Malan, MD, PhD
Interium Chair for the Program, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs
520/626-3867
malan@email.arizona.edu
or
Ms. Maureen Driscoll
Program Coordinator
520/626-1489
mdphd@arizona.edu
To be eligible for admission to the College of Medicine, applicants must be either residents of Arizona, or WICHE-certified and-funded residents of Alaska, Montana or Wyoming. Consideration will also be given to applicants currently enrolled in University of Arizona graduate programs who have a reasonable expectation of establishing Arizona domicile by the time of medical school matriculation. For specific details consult the Residency Classification Office, 520/621-3636 or www.registrar.arizona.edu/Residency/residenc.htm.
Information regarding medical school admission:
Dr. Christopher Leadem
Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs
520/626-6214, or www.medicine.arizona.edu.
Information regarding application to the Graduate College:
Ms Jolene Gruener
Associate Director, Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs
520/621-8368, gidp@email.arizona.edu or www.gidp.arizona.edu
Financial Support
The College of Medicine and the participating graduate programs provide funding. Two MD-PhD fellowships are awarded annually with guarantees of support for stipend and tuition for the medical school portion of study, contingent on acceptable academic performance. Students arrange for support for the graduate school portion of study with their Graduate Program.
Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences
The Ph.D. degree is offered through a number of departments and interdisciplinary programs described here in. Admissions requirements, in terms of college course work and Graduate Record Examinations (GREs), vary among the different programs. Please contact the faculty member listed with each program for specific details. In some cases MD-PhD students may pursue doctoral studies in other graduate programs not listed here.
