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MD-PHD Program
Penn's Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) prepares students for careers as physician-investigators engaged in basic, disease-oriented and translational biomedical research. Strengths of the program include:
- the depth and breadth of research opportunities
- top-notch clinical training
- an emphasis on physician-investigator training and mentorship
- a large community of MD-PhD students and alumni
- a nationally recognized track record of producing successful physician-scientists
The vast majority of our MD-PhD students pursue PhDs in the following biomedical science graduate groups: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Pharmacological Sciences, Genomics and Computational Biology (School of Medicine) and Bioengineering (School of Engineering and Applied Science). The school offers fully funded fellowships to all accepted applicants in these areas. Penn has one of the largest MSTP grants from NIH in the country, and most of our fellowships are derived from MSTP and other funds.
Approximately 5% of our students are pursuing the PhD in other areas related to medicine. Some of the relevant graduate programs include Health Care Systems (Wharton School) and History and Sociology of Sciences (School of Arts and Sciences). While most of our students are in the biomedical sciences, Penn is committed to training physician-investigators in other areas as well.
Successful candidates for the MD-PhD program will possess outstanding academic qualifications as reflected by their undergraduate transcripts and MCAT scores. Since the goal of this program is to train physician investigators, the program is particularly interested in applicants with substantial prior research experience in their area of interest, and who have demonstrated strong motivation and potential for their chosen careers. Letters of recommendation from research mentors are a critical part of the application.
For more information about the MD-PhD program at Penn, visit: www.med.upenn.edu/mstp/applicant.shtml.
MD/Master's Programs
In addition to the MD-PhD program, Penn has a number of other opportunities for students who wish to combine the MD with another course of formal study. The School of Medicine enthusiastically supports students interested in pursuing a second degree in areas related to medicine.
Admission to the Master's programs is competitive, and decisions for the Master's program and the MD program are made independently. Students are generally encouraged to apply for a Master's program after matriculating to medical school, rather than applying simultaneously to the MD and Master's programs at the time of initial application. However, a very small number of candidates choose to apply to both programs from the beginning. Students must independently contact the relevant Master's program and submit a completed Master's program application to the graduate school.
There are several established MD-Master's programs at Penn, each of which is designed to allow Penn students to save time and tuition by completing the degrees in a combined program rather than separately. The curricula and financial aid opportunities vary by program. More information is available at: http://www.med.upenn.edu/educ_combdeg/.
MD-MBA
This program is designed for students interested in integrating the study of medicine with training in managerial, financial and technical expertise relevant to health care. The program can typically be completed in five years. More information is available at: http://www.med.upenn.edu/educ_combdeg/mdmba.html.
MD-Master Of Bioethics
The MD-MBE program provides students with interdisciplinary training geared toward ethical, legal, social and public policy implications of advances in the life sciences and medicine. With careful planning, it may be possible to complete the program in four years, but some students will take five years to fulfill the requirements for both degrees. More information is available at: http://www.med.upenn.edu/educ_combdeg/mdmbioethics.html.
MD-Master Of Science In Clinical Epidemiology
The MD-MSCE program is intended for students interested in careers as independent investigators conducting clinical research. It provides in-depth training in techniques related to clinical epidemiologic research and offers research experience with mentors in this area. With careful planning, the program may be completed in five years. More information is available at: www.med.upenn.edu/educ_combdeg/MDMSCEProgram.html.
MD-Master of Public Health
The MD-MPH program is designed for students interested in studying medicine with a special focus on population health problems. The program provides strong interdisciplinary training to individuals interested in clinical practice, prevention, hygiene, education and policy making. The program typically takes five years to complete. More information is available at: www.publichealth.med.upenn.edu/md-mph.shtml.
MD-Master of Science in translational research
The MD-MTR program is designed to provide enrolled medical students with an in depth instruction in the fundamental skills, methodology, and principles necessary to be a well trained junior clinical investigator. The MTR includes both didactic training and a mentored research project and will typically take five years to complete. More information is available at: www.med.upenn.edu/educ_combdeg/mdmtr.html.
Certificate in clinical neuroscience
The goal of the CNST is to train clinical neuroscience specialists who will participate at the forefront of the clinical and academic practice, and disease oriented research. The program combines curricular enrichment in the neurosciences, mentoring, special extracurricular activities and research opportunities within the four-year medical school structure. Additional information can be found at: www.med.upenn.edu/ins/cnst.html.
Page Updated: 09-Jul-2008
