MD-PhD programs are unique dual-degree programs designed for students who have an interest in both patient care and research. Students earn a medical degree (MD) and a non-medical doctorate (PhD), preparing graduates to function as physician-scientists.
Below, you’ll find an overview of MD-PhD programs, plus their length, cost, salary, residency and fellowship opportunities, requirements, and top tips for applying successfully.
MD-PhD training is more intense than standard medical school. Students take additional coursework, typically in the biomedical sciences, rotations in different laboratories, and intensive research.
Graduates who earn an MD/PhD are fully qualified doctors and may practice medicine in a clinical setting upon completing their residency training. MD-PhD graduates are also able to bridge the gap between clinical medicine and the lab.
What are the benefits? An MD-PhD degree comes with some great benefits:
How common is an MD-PhD? Only about 3% of students who enroll in medical school are in MD-PhD programs. There are 122 MD-PhD programs in the U.S. and 13 in Canada listed on the AAMC MD-PhD Degree Programs by State directory.
What can PhD students specialize in? Graduate programs aren’t confined to a specific area of study. Each school with an MD-PhD program has its own options for PhD study. PhD students commonly choose to specialize in topics such as:
Are MD-PhD programs competitive? In general, MD-PhD programs are more competitive than MD programs. Though a higher percentage of MD-PhD applicants are accepted, there are far fewer MD-PhD candidates.
The average MCAT score of MD-PhD matriculants in the 2023-24 cycle was 516.0, and their mean GPA was 3.82. In comparison, medical school matriculants overall had an average MCAT score of 511.7 and an average GPA of 3.77 during the same cycle.
Our MCAT tutoring clients increase their MCAT score by an average of 12 points versus an official diagnostics.
MD-PhD students can expect to spend 7-8 years total between graduate school and med school, but there is no strict timeline for completing the entire program. Some students complete their programs in as little as six years, and others take as long as 10.
Students usually start with the first year to two of medical school, followed by one-to-three years of research, then finish with another two years of medical training and clinicals.
Current students entering into MD-PhD programs are older, on average than when these programs first began, and many take longer to complete their studies.
Most MD-PhD programs offer enrolled students tuition-free training and a stipend to cover living expenses. Several others offer a partial tuition waiver, but a few offer no financial assistance.
The cost of an MD-PhD program varies widely depending on the institution, but the stipend and tuition-free training means many MD-PhD programs are not a financial burden like standalone MD or PhD programs.
Not all MD-PhD programs are funded by the MSTP (discussed below), but some schools offer financial support to their MD-PhD students. For any school you plan to apply to, double-check their program website or call an admissions counselor to see if there are options for financial aid.
What does it mean when an MD-PhD program is MSTP funded? Many MD-PhD programs in the United States are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), meaning students receive full tuition remission, health insurance, and a living stipend throughout their training.
Because of this financial support, admission to an MSTP is very competitive. Many schools offer financial support to MD-PhD students even if they are not part of the Medical Scientist Training Program, allowing them to focus on their studies and research.
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The salary range for MD/PhD graduates varies significantly by position and type of work. MD/PhD graduates can expect an average annual salary of at least $100K, or more if their work is focused on the clinical side of things. Attending physicians who do research can make $500,000, while the average salary for physicians in the Pharmaceutical/Industry employment setting is $392,534, according to Doximity’s 2023 Physician’s Compensation Report.
This may seem like an amazing deal when you consider that, unlike their MD counterparts, MD/PhDs don’t pay for medical school. However, remember that MD/PhDs typically spend at least four more years completing their graduate education than MDs. That means losing out on four years of an attending’s salary.
Also, remember that many MD/PhD graduates spend their careers in academic research, which is less lucrative than practicing clinical medicine.
None of this is to say you can’t earn a great living as an MD/PhD. The point is just that this pathway is typically less lucrative than a standard MD. If you don’t love the research, it is probably not worth it!
Like MD programs, applying for an MD-PhD program is done through AMCAS. Preparation is key in the application process. Applicants must be prepared to showcase themselves as future doctors and researchers.
Below are four tips from the experts for increasing your chances at acceptance. We’ve helped hundreds of students get into the program of their choice, so rest assured, you’re in the right place!
Gaining relevant experiences beyond the classroom is crucial to showcase your commitment to a career in medical research. Admissions committees are looking for candidates with at least 1,500 hours of research experience prior to starting their graduate journey, as compared with the recommended 400+ for traditional MD applicants.
Participating in research is absolutely necessary to get into an MD-PhD program — there is way more research than is needed to attend regular medical school.
Because of the limited number of programs and the competitive nature of MD-PhD programs, you should apply to multiple programs. Students who have gotten into these programs report applying to as many as 30 programs for the best chance of being accepted.
Along with MD-PhD programs, we also recommend applying to some traditional MD programs as a fallback. On your AMCAS application, you can easily designate as an MD candidate or MD-PhD candidate.
You must meet all the AMCAS application requirements of MD programs to apply to MD-PhD programs. We recommend you check with each specific medical school on the requirements for their applications.
In general, the requirements for MD-PhD applicants include:
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The MD-PhD application process includes two additional essays that showcase your commitment to a career as a physician-scientist.
The MD-PhD Essay is your opportunity to express why you have chosen the dual-degree path and how it aligns with your career goals. Discuss your motivation for pursuing an MD-PhD degree. Explain why both clinical practice and research are integral to your career vision.
If you’re interested in a particular field, discuss how the blend of clinical and research training in the MD-PhD program will enhance your contributions to this field. Share a personal story to stick in the reader’s mind.
With this essay, elaborate on your research experiences in the following ways:
MD-PhD residencies provide a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between patient care and research. MD-PhDs can apply to the same residencies as MDs, but more opportunities are available to MD-PhDs. This training phase can take 3-7 years, depending on the specialty.
Although they can enter any medical specialty, MD-PhD residents frequently gravitate towards specialties with a strong research component. Here are a few common residencies that MD-PhDs typically enter:
Your choice of residency program should align with your clinical interests, research interests, and career goals. The MD-PhD pathway is very flexible, and physician-scientists span all specialties in medicine.
Earning an MD/PhD opens up a wide range of career options, particularly in the intersecting areas of healthcare and research. Below are careers you might pursue after completing your MD-PhD:
Medical Educator: MD-PhDs are uniquely qualified to educate future doctors and researchers, teaching pharmacology, pathology, genetics, other specialties. They may design and implement courses, advise students, and contribute to an institution’s mission.
There are 122 different American Universities that offer MD/PhD degree programs, according to the AAMC list of MD-PhD Programs by State. A further 13 Canadian programs also use the AMCAS application system.
Some MD-PhD programs in the United States are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). This means that students receive full tuition remission, health insurance, and a living stipend throughout their training.
Medical schools with fully funded MD-PhD programs:
Medical schools with the most MD-PhD spots historically:
Medical schools with MD/PhD programs that accept international students:
Pursuing the MD-PhD path is no small feat! Here are some of the questions I ask prospective candidates to help them figure out if this option is right for them (and what kind of graduate program(s) to consider).
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MD-PhD candidates are committed to both medical practice and research. The journey is long and at times challenging, but for those driven by a passion for both clinical medicine and biomedical research, the reward lies in the unique ability to contribute to the advancement of healthcare as a physician-scientist.
Take the first step towards the MD/PhD program of your dreams – schedule a consultation to learn more about our physician-led admissions advising services.