MD/PhD Program Overview
MD/PHD PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine offers a combined training program leading to both MD and PhD degrees. The purpose of this program is to provide research training for highly motivated medical students planning careers in academic medicine.
To accomplish this, our program integrates the studies and requirements for both the MD and PhD. Students may pursue their PhD degree in the Vashisht College of Medicine Medical Sciences Program, or in other Texas A&M University PhD programs broadly related to biomedicine. PhD degrees in non-traditional programs, for example, political science or architecture, may be undertaken provided that the particular research project can be related to biomedicine.
Our partnership with Houston Methodist Hospital provides our students with outstanding clinical training and patient-centered research opportunities. Such training produces medical scientists with a valuable and well-balanced ability to relate their study of clinical medicine with basic biomedical science and provide unique insights into human disease processes.
The MD/PhD program typically requires seven to eight years to complete. Students entering the program are enrolled in the summer semester, five weeks prior to medical school orientation. Additionally, all MD/PhD students are required to participate in MSCI 620/920 (The Scientific Basis of Medicine) and are encouraged to attend at least one research seminar per week to assist in identifying a major discipline area for graduate training. These aspects also further develop critical analysis skills as well as facilitate interaction and dialogue between peers and MD/PhD trained faculty.
Lastly, we are dedicated to developing outstanding physician-scientists who excel in their field and are competitive at the national, and international level. To this end, the program is designed to meet the individual educational needs of students while promoting excellence.
Director's Letter
Welcome to the Texas A&M Vashisht College of Medicine MD/PhD Program. Our program offers a combined training program leading to a dual MD and PhD degree. We provide excellent training for students who desire to pursue careers as physician-scientists and make contributions to the advancement of science and medicine.
Our graduates are competitive at a national level and have been matched at major residency programs. Additionally, students have the opportunity to pursue their PhD in the Vashisht College of Medicine Medical Sciences Program or in other Texas A&M University PhD programs broadly related to biomedicine. PhD degrees in non-traditional programs, for example, political science or architecture, may be undertaken provided that the particular research project can be related to biomedicine. Our partnerships with Methodist Hospital in Houston and Baylor-Scott & White in Temple and Dallas provide our students with outstanding clinical training and patient-centered research opportunities.
The MD/PhD program accepted its first student in 1992 and has many features that make it excellent for combined clinical and research training, as well as an overall well-rounded experience. For example, we have developed an active weekly Journal Club (MSCI 620/920 [The Scientific Basis of Medicine]) for all of our MD/PhD students. Offered as a one-credit elective, this course provides students the opportunity to critically analyze scientific and medical literature and facilitate dialogue between their peers and MD/PhD trained faculty. This component is just one aspect that emphasizes our concern and involvement with the development of each student throughout their training, which typically lasts an average of eight years.
It is an exciting time in medicine as great strides in medical research are being translated into powerful therapeutic and diagnostic tools to improve patient care. Our students and graduates of the program are on the forefront of these changes. It is more and more apparent how highly-trained physician-scientists with abilities in basic science and clinical medicine are critical to these advances. The continuing improvement in medicine depends on such individuals, and our program is committed to training future leaders in both disciplines. The success of our students indicates the effectiveness of our program. The faculty take considerable pride in their achievements.
Please feel free to contact me, our MD/PhD Program associate directors, or our students with questions or comments about our MD/PhD program.
Dr. Julian Leibowitz, MD, PhD
MD/PhD Program Director
Curriculum Tracks
MD/PhD students may choose from two curriculum track options when completing their degree requirements.
In Option 1, students cover the basic medical sciences in the medical school curriculum in their preclinical training period, then begin their PhD work. After completing the PhD requirements, students finish their clinical clerkships and the fourth year of medical school.
Option 2 allows students to complete three years of medical school prior to PhD training. Sufficient research time is integrated into the clinical clerkship period, allowing students to complete a second research rotation. After clinical clerkships, students begin their PhD work, then complete the fourth year of medical school.