McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences participate in a dual degree program leading to both MD and PhD degrees. This program is sponsored and supported by UTHealth Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center and provides a stipend, tuition and fees, and health insurance support during MD and PhD training. Extensive basic and translational research opportunities and participation of more than 500 faculty members from both institutions provide a unique environment and resources for training combined-degree students. The MD/PhD program training structure is also unique and is organized to train physician-scientists. Students complete the first three years of medical school training prior to starting their dissertation research. Thus, the students enter the GSBS with a comprehensive understanding of human disease that can inform and direct their dissertation research. Requirements of both degrees are typically completed in seven years. The program is administered by an MD/PhD Committee, which is comprised of faculty at both institutions.

Students must meet the admissions requirements of the GSBS and McGovern Medical School to qualify for admission to the MD/PhD program. The program is restricted in size and provides stipend support for exceptional MD/PhD candidates. For information, visit the GSBS website.

Application for admission to the MD/PhD Program may be made by submitting an application online through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and a mandatory secondary online application which may be found on the GSBS website. Three letters of recommendation (two general letters and an additional letter from a research mentor) are also required and should be submitted through AMCAS. The deadline is November 1st.

Students affiliating with a dissertation advisor and PhD program at the GSBS must be in good academic standing at McGovern Medical School and have the approval of the MD/PhD Program Director.

Completion of the MD/PhD Program and receipt of either the MD or PhD is contingent upon completion of all requirements for both degrees. A student entering this program may not receive the PhD degree without completion of the MD degree and likewise may not receive the MD degree without completion of the PhD degree.