Combined Degree Programs (MD/PhD and MD/MPH)

Combined Degree Programs

Many medical schools and other health professions schools offer students the opportunity to pursue combined or dual degree programs in a variety of different disciplines. Some of the more common dual degree programs include:

Master of Public Health (MPH)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Juris Doctorate (JD)
Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD).

MD-PhD Dual Degree Training

Applicants who are very interested in a research career may consider a combined MD/PhD program. These combined MD/PhD programs tend to be between 7-9 years in length. MD-PhD programs provide training in both medicine and research. They are specifically designed for those who want to become physician scientists. Please visit the MD/PhD pathway section of the AAMC website. This content was developed by seasoned MD-PhD directors and administrators and is an ideal tool for applicants and potential applicants.

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) funds many of these combined MD/PhD programs, allowing students to get their full tuition for medical and graduate school paid plus a stipend.

The American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) is a national organization dedicated to addressing the needs of future physician scientists with respect to their training and career development. The APSA strives to be the student physician-scientists' leading voice for improving educational opportunities, advancing patient-oriented research, and advocating for the future of translational medicine.

NIH MD/PhD Intramural Partnership Training Program

This innovative program allows MD/PhD students to obtain all or part of their research training in one of the more than one thousand biomedical research laboratories in the NIH intramural research program and maintain eligibility for medical school training at most of the MSTP-funded M.D./Ph.D. programs around the country.