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Prerequisites
General Requirements
- All applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work, at the time of application, in an accredited in a U.S. or Canadian or United Kingdom college or university.
- Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible to apply provided they have completed at least 90 semester hours of coursework, at the time of application, in a U.S. or Canadian college or university.
- We strongly prefer a bachelor’s degree from those that have attended college in the U.S.
Admissions Policies and Procedures (PDF)
Course Recommendations
The University of Virginia School of Medicine no longer has required pre-requisite courses
We have no science or humanities requirements. However, it is recommended that students consider courses in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Human Behavior and Statistics as students find these courses to be helpful during medical school.
MCAT Requirements
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required of all applicants. We will accept the current version of the MCAT and the future version of the MCAT. We will not give preference to either. All applicants must present scores from tests taken no later than September 30th of the year prior to matriculation, and no earlier than April 1st of the three years prior to matriculation.
Information regarding the MCAT and registration materials are available from premedical advisors or from MCAT Registration, phone: (202) 828-0690, http://www.aamc.org/.
Technical Standards
All matriculants and current students (“Candidates”) must possess the physical, cognitive, emotional and interpersonal capabilities necessary to complete the medical education program and to provide highly effective patient care within the medical education program. These capabilities are called Technical Standards, the essential functions that all medical students must demonstrate to meet the requirements of a general medical education. Candidates whether for admission, academic promotion, or graduation must meet these Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodation. See Academic Rules for Details
These technical standards are predicated on the school’s learning objectives that are considered essential for completion of the M.D. degree. They have been approved by the Curriculum Committee and the Dean of the School of Medicine.
Criminal Background Check Requirement
If legal or criminal proceedings are filed against you prior to matriculation, or if you are the recipient of any institutional disciplinary action, it is your responsibility to inform the Admissions Office immediately. Additionally, all students must undergo a mandatory criminal background check as a condition of acceptance to the School of Medicine. See the full Criminal Background Check Policy here.
Requirements Doctor of Medicine
Phase one: Pre- Clerkship Curriculum
Throughout the four years, the “Next Generation” Curriculum combines the practice and science of medicine. Patient contact begins on the first day of the first year and increases throughout the four years. At the center of the curriculum is the patient, the science of medicine, and the physician’s role in improving the health of individuals and communities. The curriculum is a thoughtful balance of team-based learning, problem and case-based learning, small-group activities, hands-on laboratories, lectures, and hospital and community-based clinical experiences.
Integrated Clinical Sciences
The pre-clerkship phase of the Next Generation Curriculum comprises the first three semesters of the educational program. This phase consists of the courses below, each assigned a pass/fail grade at the end of the course.
The preclerkship courses which must be successfully completed in order to progress to the clerkships are as follows:
Fall of Year One:
Spring of Year One:
Fall of Year Two:
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- MED 8107 - Transition Course
Steps 1 and 2 of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
In order to be awarded the Doctor of Medicine, students must pass the USMLE exams:
Step 1
Step 2 CK
Phase 2: Clerkships
The clerkship year (which begins in the early spring of the second year) is devoted to clinical training. There is extensive direct contact with patients, and students work with a well-balanced patient population, which includes primary, secondary, and tertiary care. Teaching is related to the patient on rounds and in small tutorial seminars, lectures and group discussions. Emphasis is given to the principles of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the continuing integration of clinical medicine with medical sciences and the psychological factors that influence health.
Students must pass each of the following clerkships to procede to the Phase 3: Post Clerkship Curriculum of their education:
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- MED 8635 - Preventative, Acute, and Chronic Longitundinal Ambulatory Care: 0
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- MED 8600 - Intersession Course Credits: 0
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Phase 3: Post Clerkship Curriculum
Following the clerkships, students complete electives tailored to their needs and pursue their own interests in the electives. Elective programs include a wide variety of programs at UVA and in other domestic and foreign settings. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, students choose clinical rotations, basic science and humanities courses and research activities. Medical students are required to complete at least one Advanced Clinical Elective after the clerkships. There is a continuum of the science, clinical skills, and professionalism throughout the four-year curriculum. The student is presented within and across each period with multiple examples of knowledge, skills, professionalism, and decision-making. In addition to this Electives Program (completed over the final 3.5 terms) students will complete a clerkship in Geriatrics and DXRX Healthcare policy.
Required courses for the final terms include:
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- MED 9421 - Patient Student Partnership Post Clerkship Phase - Credits: 0
- MED 9680 - Bedside to Community: Integrating Clinical Medicine and Population Health - Credits: 0
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- MED 9672 - Electives Program IV Credits: 0
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Additional Requirements
Professionalism
Professional attitudes and behaviors are components of the 12 Competencies Required of the Contemporary Physician that enable the independent performance of the responsibilities of a physician and therefore are a requirement for the successful award of the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The School of Medicine’s Professionalism Objectives (https://med.virginia.edu/ume/wp-content/uploads/sites/216/2015/09/Professionalism-objectives-clerkships3.pdf) establish general standards applicable to all students in the School of Medicine. However, it is the responsibility of the faculty and the ASAC, as appropriate, to interpret and apply the general Professionalism Objectives to specific situations when concerns are raised about student performance or behaviors.
Evaluation of professional attitudes and behaviors is an integral part of a student’s assessment and generally is accomplished through observation and narrative recording. Praise/Concern Cards and written narratives are assessment tools used to describe behaviors in areas of altruism; honesty and integrity; caring, compassion and communication; respect for others; respect for differences; responsibility and accountability; excellence and scholarship; leadership and knowledge and other skills related to professionalism. These professional attitudes and behaviors are monitored and recorded throughout undergraduate medical education.
Any breach of professionalism resulting in a recorded observation, e.g., Professionalism Concern Card, letter, written report, etc., must be addressed with the student by their college dean and documentation of the discussion must be recorded. If a student receives three or more written observations of concern, or is reported for two breaches of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), or is cited for a single egregious breach of professionalism, notice will be sent to ASAC for review. A student identified as having a pattern of unprofessional behavior may be directed to further counseling and /or to supportive remediation and/or placed on academic warning or academic probation (as defined below), or if the professional violations are severe, a student may be dismissed from school even if they have passing grades in all courses. ASAC will assess the severity of the problem, the management and the consequences, including possibly reporting the behaviors in the student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). Egregious behaviors, such as but not limited to assault on or threat to a patient, patient’s family member, student, GME trainee or faculty member, conduct that may constitute a felony, etc., regardless of whether criminal prosecutions are initiated or pursued, will be referred immediately to ASAC, irrespective of whether previous observations of concern exist, with the recommendation for dismissal from school.
Technical Standards
See Academic Rules for Policy Description.
Clinical Practice Examination
Students are required to take and pass the Clinical Practice Examination (CPX) after the completion of the clerkships.This is a requirement for graduation.Students failing the CPX are referred to ASAC and should review their performance and address their deficiencies prior to retaking the examination.Failure of the CPX will be reported on the MSPE.
Time Limit for Completion of the M.D. Degree
Students must complete the requirements for the M.D. degree within six years of matriculation in the School of Medicine. Special time arrangements are available to those in the dual degree programs.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Doctor of Medicine at the UVA School of Medicine, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.
Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
Dual Degree Programs
Students in the School of Medicine may elect to expand their experience and training by pursuing a dual degree. If approved, students will be given leave from the M.D. program to complete their dual degree and return to the M.D. program under the following conditions:
- Approval for the dual degree program and the appropriate time away from the School of Medicine MD curriculum must be obtained in advance from the student’s College Dean for Student Affairs in the School of Medicine.
- Students seeking a dual degree are expected to complete the pre-clerkship and clerkship phases of the medical curriculum and take USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK and 2 CS before beginning the dual degree program.
- The student is responsible for making application to the dual degree program.
- The University of Virginia School of Medicine is not responsible for financial aid for students enrolled in a dual degree program.
- Students must complete the post-clerkship curriculum requirements after completing the dual degree program. Elective credit typically is not granted for dual degrees. Exceptions are described in the policies for the dual degree programs available at: https://med.virginia.edu/admissions/programs/
Revised and affirmed September 2020 by Medical Education Management Team
Dual Degree Programs Overview
M.D./J.D.
The School of Medicine and the School of Law offers a dual degree program in which as student may obtain an M.D and a J.D in six years. The student is obligated to secure separate admission to both schools; the school of Law requires the LSAT. Students may apply to the School of Law in their first, second or third years of medical school.
M.D./M.B.A.
The School of Medicine and the Darden School of Business offers a dual degree program in which a student may obtain both the M.D. and the M.B.A. degrees in 5 years. The student is obligated to secure separate admission to both schools. Once admitted to the School of Medicine, the student may apply to the Darden School of Business for admission. Students in the dual degree program begin their M.B.A. curriculum after completing the first three years of the medical curriculum. The total duration is 5 years.
Effective November 1, 2008, the School of Medicine and the Darden School of Business will offer a dual degree program in which a student may obtain both the M.D. and the M.B.A. degrees in 5 years instead of the 6 years that would be required if each were taken separately.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE
To allow students to gain expertise and receive degrees in Medicine (M.D.) and Business (M.B.A.).
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM
A Program Committee administers the dual degree and is composed of Meg G. Keeley M.D., Assistant Dean for Student Affairs from the School of Medicine and Elliott Weiss from the Darden School of Business, as designated by the respective Deans.
ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM
The student is obligated to secure separate admission to both the School of Medicine and the Darden School of Business. Application to one school may be made prior to entrance to the other, or while the applicant is a first, second or third year student in the School of Medicine. In either case, the applicant will be held to the same standards as any other applicant, and the fact that he or she is a candidate for the dual degree program will not be considered in the admissions process. Once admitted independently to each school, the student may make application to the Program Committee for admission to the dual degree program. Admission to the dual degree program will be judged according to criteria which it is the responsibility of the Program Committee to develop and will not be guaranteed by virtue of acceptance at both schools.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum is outlined in the table below.
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Fall
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Spring
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Summer
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SOM |
SOM |
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SOM |
SOM |
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Year 3
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SOM
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SOM
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Year 4
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Darden
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Darden
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SOM *
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Year 5
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Darden
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Darden / SOM
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School of Medicine:
Number of Credit Hours Required: The SOM does not use credit hours for courses. The SOM does aggregate credits for the 4th year Electives Program.
The students in the dual degree program must successfully complete 4 Darden courses approved annually by the dual degree administrators to receive 8 credits towards completion of their Electives Program.
Darden School of Business:
Number of Credit Hours Required: 52.5
Detailed Curriculum Description (see Graduate Student Record)
REGISTRATION, TUITION AND FEES –
During the first three years in Medical School, the participant is treated as a regularly matriculated student at the Medical School. During the first year in the Darden School of Business, the participant is treated as a regularly matriculated student at the Darden School. During the summer between his/her 4th and 5th year, the participant will be matriculated in the School of Medicine. During the first semester of his/her fifth year, the participant is treated as a regularly matriculated student at the Darden School and during the second semester of his/her fifth year, the participant is treated as a regularly matriculated student at the School of Medicine
The participant will be charged the tuition and fees of the school he/she is registered in. Unlike other school of medicine students, he/she will be charged tuition and fees for the summer session between his/her 4th and 5th year. Also, during the second semester of his/her fifth year, the participant will be charged a separate SOM tuition and fees which blends both SOM and Darden tuition. The SOM will reimburse Darden for the 3rd quarter of the 5th year when the participant will be registered in the School of Medicine and taking classes in the Darden School.
CHANGE OF STATUS –
At any point in the program, the participant will be permitted to terminate plans for a combined degree and to continue toward a single degree at either school. He or she will then be required to satisfy the normal requirements for the school he or she has chosen, which may include credit for some of the work done in the other school as determined by the appropriate officials of the school in question.
FINANCIAL AID –
• Financial aid will be administered by the financial aid offices of the school the student is registered in.
• Unlike other Darden students, participants in this dual degree program are only eligible for 3/4ths of a merit scholarship in their 5th year, appropriated to the 3 quarters in which they will be taking Darden coursework.
• Participants are eligible for ½ a semester of medical school financial aid in the last semester of their fifth year but will have full access to medical school loans.
• The summer session at SOM will be considered a trailing semester for financial aid purposes.
• Students receive UFAA forms for the coming academic year based on the school they are registered in currently. Therefore, Darden and SOM financial aid offices will ensure that MD/MBA students who will switch registrations 4 times during the program receive and complete the correct UFAA forms. This will be coordinated between both offices in the business practices for Financial Aid meeting.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES –
The participant will be eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both schools to the extent time permits.
GRADING STANDARDS –
The participant is required to meet the grading standards of both schools independently to remain in good standing. Each school retains the right to drop students from its degree programs following its usual academic standards and procedures. Problems which arise in translation of different grading scales resulting from the dual degree program will be dealt with by the Program Committee. Grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript under the system in effect at the school in which the course is taken.
FACULTY ADVISORS –
The School of Medicine faculty advisor is Dr. Meg Keeley, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. The Darden School of Business faculty advisor is Paul Matherne.
Approved: 1/27/2009; SOM course update 8/29/2013, 5/30/19
M.D./M.S.D.S
The School of Medicine and the Data Science Institute offer a dual degree program in which a student may obtain both the M.D. and the Master of Science in Data science degrees in 4.5 years. The program is designed to accommodate the interests of students who desire to pursue careers in data-driven and digital technology focused healthcare. The students in this degree will combine their medical education with computer programming, data wrangling, analytics and data science skills to creatively address difficult issues that use an increasing amounts of clinical, research, financial claims and cost, and behavior data, among others. Students will complete 3 years of medical education, followed by a summer, fall, and spring term in the Data Science Institute. When they return to School of Medicine they will be able to satisfy graduation requirements with one term of additional medical coursework.
The program is designed to accommodate the interests of students who desire to pursue careers in data-driven and digital technology focused healthcare. The students in this degree will combine their medical education with computer programming, data wrangling, analytics and data science skills to creatively address difficult issues that use an increasing amounts of clinical, research, financial claims and cost, and behavior data, among others.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM:
A program committee administers the dual degree program and is composed of one faculty member from School of Medicine and one faculty member affiliated with the Data Science Institute, as designated by the respective program leadership.
ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM:
The student is obligated to secure separate admission to both the School of Medicine and Data Science Institute’s Master of Science in Data Science program. Enrolled MD Students within the School of Medicine may apply to the MS in Data Science program during their third year of study. Applicants will be held to the same standards as any other applicant, and the fact that he or she is a candidate for the dual degree program will not be considered in the admission process. Once admitted independently to the MS in Data Science Program, the student will be considered for admission to the dual degree program. Admission to the dual degree program will be judged according to criteria developed by the program committee and will not be guaranteed by virtue of acceptance at both programs.
CURRICULUM:
The program will take four and a half years to complete. The students will take the first three years of MD instruction as stipulated by that program. In the fourth year, the students will start their coursework in the Summer Term (July) with the Data Science Institute. They will follow the curriculum of the MS in Data Science, and complete their coursework for that program in May of the fourth year. Following completion of the MS in Data Science coursework, students will return to the MD program and complete the School of Medicine graduation requirements with anticipated graduation in December of the fifth year.
Students are expected to complete 32 credit hours in Data Science Institute. Students must complete all curricular requirements for the MD degree. They will receive 8 weeks of credit towards the requirements of the School of Medicine Electives Program by successfully completing the MS in Data Science coursework.
CHANGE OF STATUS:
Students are allowed to terminate their dual degree at any time during the fourth year. They are allowed to remain enrolled in either one of the degree programs post termination of the dual degree. Both programs agree to provide credit for the coursework the students took during their dual degree. Students will need to satisfy the requirements for graduation stipulated by the program he/she elects to complete. Students who have been terminated from one program have the right to complete the other program, but must satisfy the requirements for graduation stipulated by the program in which they remain enrolled.
TUITION AND FEES:
Students enrolled in the dual degree program will be required to pay the combined annual tuition and fees of both the Data Science Institute and the School of Medicine. The intent is for tuition and fees to flow directly to each school/institute, but if this creates an administrative burden on the University, tuition will flow annually from the School of Medicine to the Data Science Institute.
FINANCIAL AID:
Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University availability and eligibility criteria. Students may apply for federal financial aid for each program based on individual eligibility.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
The student will be eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both programs to the extent time permits. Because of the possibility of over commitment, however, counsel of the Program Committee is recommended.
GRADING STANDARDS:
The student is required to meet the grading standards of both programs independently to remain in good academic standing. Each program retains the right to drop students from its degree program following its usual academic standards and procedures. Problems that arise in translation of different grading scales resulting from the dual degree program will be dealt with by the Program Committee. Grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript under the system in effect at the program in which the course is taken.
FACULTY ADVISORS:
The leadership of each program will appoint a faculty member to advise students in the dual degree program.
REGIONAL ACCREDITATION:
SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE-Upon execution of this MOU, implementation of the dual degree program is contingent upon approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Students will be reviewed for admission into the dual degree program in accordance with section 2 of this MOU starting Summer 2017.
M.D./M.P.H. (Public Health)
The dual M.D./M.P.H. is designed to provide graduate professional training in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, translational and community-based research, and community engagement strategies to improve the health of individuals and populations. The program focuses on the competencies professionals need to address population health and health care delivery issues and includes a range of interdisciplinary courses on social behavioral health, health policy, program planning and evaluation, and environmental health, as well as epidemiology and biostatistics. Medical Students who decide to pursue the M.P.H. should expect to begin their M.P.H. courses after completing the core clinical clerkships and to extend their education by one year. The dual degree program must be completed within 6 years of matriculation in the School of Medicine. For more information, see http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/phs/degree_programs/mph/dualmdmph-page.
M.D./M.S. in Clinical Research
The dual M.D./M.S. in Clinical Research (M.S.-C.R.) is designed to provide graduate professional training in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and translational and community-based research strategies. Medical Students who pursue the M.S./C.R. should expect to begin their M.S./C.R. courses after completing the core clinical clerkships and to extend their education by one year. The dual degree program must be completed within 6 years of matriculation in the School of Medicine. For more information, see http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/phs/degree_programs/ms/mdms-page.
M.D./Ph.D. (NIH Medical Scientist Training)
The goal of our M.D./Ph.D. Program is to train individuals who will be both outstanding physicians and scientists, and who will pioneer major advances in medical practice through research. M.D./Ph.D. students take an integrated curriculum combining basic science and research training with our highly innovative medical education “Next Generation” Curriculum. Ph.D. training may be done in one of our seven Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs including: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Genetics; Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology; Biomedical Engineering; Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease; Molecular Medicine; Structural and Computational Biology, and Biophysics; and Neuroscience (see http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/education/phd/bims/).
We also offer a wide variety of NIH Funded Specialized Training Programs in the areas of Immunology, Cardiovascular Science and Medicine, Cancer, Biodefense, Neuroscience, Neurobiology and Behavioral Development, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biophysics, Pharmacologic Sciences, and Infectious Diseases. A major emphasis of the program is to train physician-scientists who will lead the biomedical research community in efforts to discover the fundamental basis of human disease and to develop innovative new therapies for their treatment. Students in the dual M.D./Ph.D., degree program must complete the requirements for both degrees. The program typically takes 7-8 years to complete. For more information see: http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/education/phd/medical-scientist-training-program.
Admission
Students must be admitted to the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) to enroll in the dual degree program. Students must apply through the MSTP portal and secure separate admission to both the MSTP and the medical school programs within the School of Medicine. Admission to the MSTP will be judged according to criteria developed by the MSTP Committee. Typically MSTP students receive their PhD degrees through one of the School of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Graduate or “BIMS” Programs although students earning their PhD with a member of the faculty in Biomedical Engineering (BME) may elect to get their PhD from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. For more information on BME please refer to the MD/ BME Dual Degree Agreement.
Enrollment, Tuition and Financial Aid
Students will be enrolled in the School of Medicine MD program for 3 semesters of pre-clerkship (pre-clinical) medical training, which under the curriculum instituted beginning with the Medical School class of 2014 occupies 68 weeks of instruction, concluding in winter of the second year. MSTP Students complete research rotations in the summer before starting medical school as well as in the summer between their first and second years. Subsequently, students will enroll in the School of Medicine BIMS Graduate Program (or Engineering for MSTP students in BME) beginning in the spring of year 2 and continuing in contiguous semesters until finishing the Ph.D. degree (usually years 3-7 in the program), at which point they will return to the MD curriculum for the remaining semesters.
Students may return to the MD curriculum after their public PhD defense date. Once that date is set, they must contact the SOM Registrar to create a plan and schedule for return to clinical coursework.
Students will be required to enroll in MD curriculum for a minimum of 6 semesters. Students must be enrolled in the PhD curriculum a minimum of 6 semesters. The total number of terms enrolled in each will vary based on when the student completes their thesis.
Students enrolled in the MD/PhD curriculum must complete the course requirements and receive both degrees within 9 years of matriculation. Any extensions beyond 9 years must be requested in writing and approved by the ASAC committee.
Each year, MSTP students are awarded full scholarships that cover tuition and fees, stipend/wages, health and dental insurance and a modest travel allowance. The financial package is guaranteed by the University of Virginia School of Medicine as long as a student is in good academic standing and is supported at various times by a combination of NIH training grants, individual research investigator funds and institutional support.
During the medical school years and the first year of graduate school, the MSTP funds the students through the MSTP Training Grant or other institutional funds at its disposal. Support during the remainder of PhD training is provided by training grants, individual investigators R01s, extramural fellowships and/or institutional support, in keeping with funding policies for all BIMS students.
If a student receives an individual extramural fellowship, such as an American Heart Association (AHA), Department of Defense (DOD), or National Research Service Award (NRSA), students receive a merit increase to their stipend. The merit increase remains effective during the term of funding of the extramural fellowship.
The MSTP program will pay tuition to the MD program for a minimum of 6 semesters and a minimum of 6 semesters to the PhD program. The MSTP guarantees up to a total of eight semesters of Medical School (MD) tuition.
Tracking Credit
MSTP Students are expected to fulfill all of the requirements as outlined by School of Medicine’s MD program and the individual BIMS (or BME) degree-granting program in order to receive an MD and PhD, respectively.
BIMS Curriculum Alterations:
Students enrolled in the MSTP will often use the coursework completed during the MD preclinical curriculum to receive transfer credit for course requirements. For example, MSTP students can petition the Director of Graduate Studies for the PhD degree-granting program with which the student affiliates to receive transfer credit for BIMS 6000 (Core Course in Integrative Biology). Decisions on these petitions will be made by the DGS in consultation with the MSTP Director and the student’s research advisor.
Beginning with the cohort of MSTPs matriculating into the MD program in summer of 2021, and based on the School of Medicine’s Policy on course credit equivalencies, students who are awarded transfer credits for the core course requirement will be awarded 10 topical credits, the equivalent graded credit hours of the Core Course in Integrative Biology.
For those MSTPs who take the core course, the pre-clerkship curriculum will be evaluated by the Director of Graduate Studies of their selected degree-granting program for other appropriate coursework equivalencies for which they may receive transfer credit (up to 10 credits in total).
MSTP students also take a number of BIMS courses while completing the pre-clerkship Medical Curriculum (see below) such that they will typically have a total of 20 credits that count towards the minimum 72 required for a PhD at the time they transition to their graduate program.
Ultimately, the MSTP student’s PhD Program will determine the course requirements that they will need to complete in order to be awarded a PhD, in addition to fulfilling other degree requirements such as writing and successfully defending a PhD thesis. Most programs require a minimum of at least one high quality first author original research paper. Please see the requirements for the individual School of Medicine BIMS PhD-degree granting programs for additional details.
MD Curriculum Alterations:
In addition to the standard pre-clerkship MD curriculum, students in the MSTP program are required to take the following courses during the pre-clerkship period. The MD program does not charge tuition for PhD coursework completed while term activated in MED for summer terms.
BIMS 8131 Topics in the Molecular Basis of Human Disease
BIMS 8132 Topics in the Molecular Basis of Human Disease
BIMS/PATH 8470 Readings in Molecular Medicine
BIMS 8995 Topical Research (2x, typically in summers)
BIMS 8171 MD/PhD Research in Progress Colloquium (2x)
BIMS 8172 MD/PhD Research in Progress Colloquium
During the Electives Program series, students in the stand alone MD program are required to complete courses MED 9870-9872 (Electives Program 1-3) on clinical topics of their interest. Students who have successfully attained the PhD in one of the Biomedical Sciences or BME will be considered to have completed the equivalent of 32 weeks of clinical activities.
Change of Status
If a student decides to terminate their MD program, they must notify their college dean and the Director of the MSTP program in writing. If the program is terminated before the completion of the MD preclinical curriculum, they must withdraw and apply separately to the PhD program. If the student decides to terminate during the PhD portion of the curriculum, they must notify the Director of Graduate Studies and the Director of the MSTP program in writing. They will not be required to withdraw from the MD program; however, they will no longer be considered a part of the MSTP for purposes of funding. In addition, none of the credits earned in the PhD program will apply toward the MD degree. These students will be required to meet all of the graduation requirements of their new cohort when they return to the SOM.
Awarding of Degrees
The Ph.D. degree will be awarded before completion of the M.D. degree, at the degree conferral date at the end of the term in which the student completes the degree requirements.
6/5/2009 revised 3/10/2010, 8/24/2012, 8/10/2020
Additional Information
For more information, contact Katherine Yates, Registrar, School of Medicine, 200 Jeanette Lancaster Way; 434-924-5200; kam5vd@virginia.edu; https://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/index.cfm
