Overview
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 700 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.
Admission Requirements
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.
Program Requirements
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.