Combined Degree and
Physician Scholar Programs

The first step of the process is to gather information regarding the MD/MSHP dual degree. Interested students have several resources:

• MSHP Program — the Master of Science in Health Policy Research program website provides detailed information on the program and application process.
• MD/MSHP Information Session — every fall the Combined Degree office holds an MD/MSHP Information Session for medical students. Email announcements are sent out to students prior to the event. Check out the full recording of the October 19, 2022 Zoom info session here.  
• MSHP Associate Director — candidates are encouraged to contact Maria Dantis to discuss the Master of Science in Health Policy Research.
• Assoc Director of CD Office — students are encouraged to contact the Associate Director of Combined Degree Office, to discuss their interest in a Master's program.
• MD/MSHP Student Advice document — Perelman medical students are encouraged to stop by the Combined Degree Office to pick up a copy of the MD/MSHP Student Advice document, which provides advice from current and past MD/MSHP students. Our students are a great resource of information on the program.
• Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) Financial Aid Office — As soon as a medical student is considering the pursuit of an integrated dual degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised.

Additional health policy resources on Penn's campus:

• Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics events

Summer research opportunities:

Students who are interested in the program early in their time as medical students are strongly encouraged to contact Maria Dantis and to begin exploring possibilities for their research mentor/project. Interested students can work on a research project during the summer between years 1 and 2 of Medical School. Funding for summer research is available through:

• Medical Student Health Services and Policy Research Summer Research Fellowship
• Health Services Research Summer Scholars Program for Students Underrepresented in Medicine

At the time of application, each candidate identifies with the help of MSHP advisors the project they wish to pursue, along with the lead mentor, who will supervise the research project. The mentored thesis involves designing a research project, writing a formal research proposal, performing the study described in it, preparing a comprehensive scholarly scientific paper reporting the results, and presenting and defending the thesis at a public seminar.

In consultation with the lead mentor, and with the approval of the MSHP Advisory Committee, the candidate selects from the Penn faculty an individualized candidate MSHP thesis committee. This three person committee functions as an ongoing monitoring group for the candidate’s progress. Its members are faculty with expertise relevant to both the basic and clinical aspects of the candidate’s research, and each is expected to contribute their expertise to fostering the candidate’s research progress. The committee meets on a trimester basis to review progress reports submitted by the trainee.

Once a student is accepted into the MD/MSHP program, the student will meet with the MSHP senior leadership, Drs. Peter Groeneveld and Judy Shea, to develop a curriculum plan based on their research project and discuss potential funding opportunities.

After a curriculum plan is developed, the student must notify the Registrar of the PSOM of his/her intention to pursue the MD/MSHP.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a staff member in the PSOM Financial Aid Office to discuss financial issues.

Program Requirements:

The following course units are required for the MSHP degree :

• 7 core courses  (HPR 501, HPR 600, HPR 603, HPR 604, HPR 606, HPR 607, HPR 608)
• 3 elective courses (one of which is an MD curriculum transfer credit*)
• 2 credits for research project and masters thesis (HPR 951, HPR 952)

Required Course Units:               12

* Perelman medical students who are matriculated in the MD/MSHP program will earn one transfer credit for MOD320 Health Care Systems in the MD curriculum in place of an elective.

Timing:

Perelman medical students will complete three years of the MD curriculum before beginning full time study in the MSHP program in July at the end of year 3. The July 1 start date at the end of year 3 for full time MSHP work means that MD/MSHP students will have only six months (from January through June) of year 3 to complete step 1 of the boards and take the electives and sub-I they need for residency application. Faculty advising and close communication with the PSOM Registrar about scheduling issues are absolutely essential, given the compressed time frame. Students considering the MD/MSHP program should start planning as early as possible to make the best use of their time.

With careful planning, Perelman medical students may be able to complete both degrees in five years. Careful selection of a thesis project is crucial for students hoping to graduate in five years. The sample plan below describes the program for a student who is able to complete the requirements of both degrees in five years.

MD/MSHP Degree Completion Time:               5 years

MD/MSHP Sample Study Plan:

All of year 4 and the fall of year 5 will be devoted to full time work toward the MSHP, during which time students are not registered for the MD. (Note that to retain status as a full time student during the MSHP program, students must be registered for at least 3 course units during the fall and spring semesters of year 4 and the fall semester of year 5. No registration is required for the summer term). The spring of year 5 will be used to complete the final requirements for both degrees.

* Penn medical students have the option to take this course during the summer between first and second year via the PSOM Additional Course Policy. Please note that enrollment is limited to 1 to 2 medical students per class.

Note: each MSHP course is 1.0 c.u.

Medical School Planning:

There are several things to keep in mind when making your Medical School plans:

• The MSHP degree counts as your Scholarly Pursuit requirement.
• MD/MSHP students need to complete 2 weeks of Frontiers and 1 week of Bioethics.

PSOM Additional Course Policy:

• The courses can be taken in any school in the University during the Fall or Spring semesters when the student is actively enrolled (not on a leave of absence or short-term break), and paying MD tuition (not just fees only).
• To take a course for credit in a Summer semester, MD tuition must be paid in full for the previous Spring and following Fall semesters. Only Perelman School of Medicine (such as: Bioethics, Epidemiology, Health Policy Research, Translational Research, Public Health) or School of Law courses may be taken during the Summer. A student may take only one course in a Summer semester limited to the UPenn course catalogue.
• In the event that a non-MD course requirement conflicts with an MD course requirement, the MD course must be given priority.

Tuition Policy:

MD/MSHP students will be charged 7 semesters of medical tuition (6 semesters in years 1-3 and the final semester of year 5). During summer before year 4, fall and spring semesters of year 4, and the fall semester of year 5, MSHP tuition will be charged per course unit plus fees. David A. Asch Medical Student Scholars in Health Services Research Scholarships are available.

Tuition:               ~$5900/course. This includes a general University fee and the technical fee. (2021-2022)

Financial Aid:

As soon as a Perelman medical student is considering the pursuit of an integrated dual degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised. Students should contact Michael Sabara, Director of Financial Services. He is available to help explain program costs, the financial aid process, funding options and how to apply for financial aid. Here are some things to consider:

1. When paying medical school tuition and registered as a medical student, an individual can retain his/her MD Scholarship (for tuition/living expenses) and has a Direct loan eligibility of $40,500. When a student is registered as a full time MSHP student, he/she is not eligible for MD Scholarship (for tuition/living expenses) and has a Direct loan eligibility of $20,500. In accordance with federal regulations, all sources of aid (loan, scholarships, fellowships,) cannot exceed the student budget.

1. Direct loans have aggregate limits, which are cumulative and include any undergraduate, graduate, and medical school loans borrowed in the Direct loan program. For any semester when a student is a full-time MSHP student (versus full-time MD student), the MSHP program aggregate limit is $138,500 versus the MD aggregate limit ($224,000).

1. Students who require funds in excess of their Direct loan may apply for a Direct PLUS loan. Details on this loan and instructions for applying can be found at the PSOM Financial Aid Office.

Part-time Student Status Implications:

If a student is considering a Master's curriculum plan that would include one or more part-time Masters semesters, we urge students to consider the following:

Part-time student:

- Is registered for 2 cus or 2.5 cus in a Masters primary semester.

- Is eligible for student loans and loan deferment.

- Part-time students’ health insurance (PSIP) coverage is not mandated by the University.  Students are strongly encouraged to continue health insurance of some kind and are eligible to opt-in to the PSIP plan.  

- To opt-in to PSIP: Online application during open enrollment periods. See PSIP website for open enrollment schedule.

- A student who is full-time in the fall is considered subject to the insurance coverage requirement. This means that they must be enrolled in PSIP or waive out, and that enrollment or waiver is good for 12 months. If this student becomes part-time in the spring term, the PSIP enrollment or the waiver will not be terminated.

- A student who is part-time in the fall, and becomes full-time in the spring term will at that point become subject to the insurance requirement for the spring term and must then waive out or be enrolled for that term. 

- The clinical fee, which provides access to Student Health Services (SHS), is mandatory when on PSIP. A Primary Care Physician (PCP) designation needs to be considered for students who are not opting into SHS and who used SHS before for this purpose. If a part-time student is not enrolled in PSIP, they can opt-in to the clinical fee to have access to SHS. Students can stop by SHS for the application or call the insurance office at 215-746-3535 to request it.

- Is not eligible for Penn gym membership, but the student pays less in fees, which hopefully offsets this expense.

David A. Asch Medical Student Scholars in Health Services Research Scholarships:

The PennMSHP has up to two David A. Asch Medical Student Scholars in Health Services Research scholarships available on a competitive basis. This new scholarship is named after Penn faculty member, David A. Asch, MD, MBA, in recognition of his founding role and ongoing impact on the PennMSHP, as well as his significant contributions to the health services research field. Asch Medical Student Scholars will receive training to become tomorrow's leaders in academic medicine, health policy and health system administration. Each scholarship covers 100% of PennMSHP tuition. Applications for admission (including scholarships) are due by February 1 of the third year of medical school. Contact Dr. Judy Shea for more information.

The admissions process for the MD/MSHP program is competitive and requires admission to both the MD and MSHP programs. Students may only apply to the combined degree MD/MSHP program after admission and matriculation in the PSOM. Medical students at other institutions are not eligible to apply.

Admissions process:
There are two steps to applying:

1. Apply to the Master of Science in Health Policy Research Program
   The Master of Science in Health Policy Research program information and application can be obtained at MD/MSHP Applicants. Students are encouraged to contact Kathleen Cooper, for more information.
2. Submit Master's Program Registration Form to the Combined Degree Office
   In addition to submitting an MSHP application, Perelman medical students must also submit a Master's Program Registration Form to the Associate Director of the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office (6th Floor JMEC). The MSHP program will not consider any medical student's application unless it has certified that the student has submitted the form to the Combined Degree Office.

Application Deadline:               February 1 of third year

For more information regarding the MD/MSHP program, contact: