Return to: School of Medicine: Degree Programs
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 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.
UVA School of Medicine Admissions Process
Course Recommendations
The University of Virginia School of Medicine does not require 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. 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. The Admissions Committee will consider the most recent MCAT score when more than one score is submitted.
Information regarding the MCAT and registration materials are available from premedical advisors or from MCAT Registration, phone: (202) 828-0600, 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
See Policy on Technical Standards Required for Matriculation, Progression and Graduation: University of Virginia School of Medicine
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.
Immunization Requirements
Students in the School of Medicine are required to receive certain immunizations before matriculation. The specific requirements are determined and updated by Student Health and can be found here: https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/pre-entrance-health-requirements
Requirements Doctor of Medicine
Phase one: Pre- Clerkship Curriculum
Throughout the four years, the 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.
Our Cells to Society curriculum integrates foundational science and clinical medicine, and emphasizes active learning strategies. In parallel to the systems-based courses, students complete a Foundations of Clinical Medicine (FCM) course.
Integrated Clinical Sciences
The pre-clerkship phase 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:
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.
Phase 2, the Clerkship phase, begins with a two-week Transition Course. Students rotate with their learning community through clinical clerkship rotations. Clerkships occur at two campus locations, Charlottesville and Inova
Students must pass each of the following clerkships to proceed to the Phase 3: Post Clerkship Curriculum of their education:
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.
Phase 3 provides opportunities for students to fashion individualized and intellectually stimulating educational programs. Students explore and decide on specialty choice, prepare for residency application, and gain valuable experiences through required coursework. They broaden their educational horizons by participating in research, humanities, ethics and health disparities electives. Students have opportunities to take on teaching roles and to do clinical and research electives at other programs and clinical sites in the US and internationally. All students participate in an internship readiness course prior to graduation with tracks based on their chosen specialty.
Required courses for the final terms include:
Additional Requirements
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
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 Expectations (https://med.virginia.edu/ume-curriculum/ume-md-curriculum/longitudinal-curriculum/) 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 Expectations 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 feedback to students through course/clerkship assessments of student performance. 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 violation of the Digital Learning Environment and Educational Materials Policy (https://med.virginia.edu/policies/digital-learning-environment-and-educational-materials/), notice will be sent to ASAC to review. 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 the ASAC, irrespective of whether previous observations of concern exist, with the recommendation for dismissal from school. 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, or if the professional violations are severe, a student may be dismissed from school even if they have passing grades in all courses. The 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).
Technical Standards
See Policy on Technical Standards Required for Matriculation, Progression and Graduation: University of Virginia School of Medicine.
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.
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).
Federal regulations require the School of Medicine to disclose whether its degree programs meet U.S. jurisdictions’ educational requirements for licensure (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
The University of Virginia School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME ) and the program leading to the M.D. degree meets all requirements for eligibility for licensure in all U.S. jurisdictions.
Initial licensure in all jurisdictions of the U.S. requires passing the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Steps 1, 2, and 3. As a medical school accredited by the LCME, graduates of the School of Medicine are eligible to sit for the USMLE.
The School of Medicine maintains general information on the USMLE testing and Graduate Medical Education placement (Residency Match) on our website. Students also are encouraged to research individual state medical board requirements; contact information is available at: https://www.fsmb.org/contact-a-state-medical-board/
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a U.S. jurisdiction other than Virginia should update their information as soon as possible in the Student Information System. Medical students who wish to enroll in out-of-state offerings for academic credit (e.g., away electives), should refer to the School of Medicine’s elective policies.
For more information: https://ira.virginia.edu/institutional-accreditation/state-licensure-confirmation
Combination (Formerly “Dual”) Degree Programs
Students in the School of Medicine may elect to expand their experience and training by pursuing a combination (formerly termed “dual”) degree. If approved, students will be given leave from the M.D. program to complete their combination degree and return to the M.D. program under the following conditions:
- See Combination Degree Enrollement Policy
Combination Degree Programs Overview
M.D./J.D.
The School of Medicine and the School of Law offer a combination (formerly termed “dual”) degree program in which as student may obtain an M.D and a J.D in six years instead of the seven years that would be required if each degree were taken separately. The student is obligated to secure separate admission to both schools; the school of Law requires the LSAT. Students apply to the School of Law during Phase 2 of the SOM curriculum and if admitted, begin the JD curriculum after completing Phase 2. For students in the MD-JD program, graduation requirements must be completed within 8 years of matriculation in the School of Medicine.
1. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE – This program is designed to accommodate the interests of students who desire to gain expertise and receive degrees in both Medicine (M.D.) and Law (J.D.).
2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM – A Program Committee administers the combination degree and is composed of faculty designated by the School of Medicine and faculty designated by the School of Law, as named by the respective Deans.
3. ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM – The student is obligated to secure separate admission to both the SOM and Law. These applications may be made prior to entrance at either school or while the applicant is a first-year, second-year, or third-year student in the SOM (if applying to Law). 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 combination 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 combination degree program. Admission to the combination degree program will be judged according to the criteria adopted by the Program Committee and will not be guaranteed by virtue of acceptance at both schools.
4. CURRICULUM – The program will take six years to complete. Under no circumstances will a combination degree student be permitted to complete this program in fewer than six years.
Students who have been admitted to the program will study under the following enrollment schedule:
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Fall
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Spring
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Summer
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Year 1
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SOM
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SOM
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Year 2
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SOM
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SOM
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SOM
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Year 3
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SOM
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SOM
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SOM
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Year 4
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Law
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Law
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Year 5
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Law
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Law
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SOM
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Year 6
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SOM
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Law
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School of Medicine:
Students in the SOM must complete all curricular requirements for the M.D. degree.
They will, however, receive 8 weeks of credit towards completion of their SOM Electives Program by successfully completing 4 Law courses from an approved list of Law courses (as determined by the Program Committee). These Law courses will also count towards the J.D. degree, as described below.
School of Law:
Law requires students to earn 86 credits to receive the J.D. degree. Combination degree students must earn a minimum of 74 credits in Law. They will receive 12 credits toward the J.D. for the semester that they enroll in the SOM during year 6 of the program.
The student will take the required courses during his or her first year at Law (Civil Procedure, Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Property, Legal Research and Writing) and will fulfill the remaining degree requirements (professional responsibility, a professional skills course, and the writing requirement) during the remaining semesters at Law.
5. REGISTRATION, TUITION AND FEES – During years 1, 2, and 3, the participant is treated as a regularly matriculated student at the SOM. During years 4 and 5, the participant is treated as a regularly matriculated student at Law. In year 6 the participant is treated as a regularly matriculated student at the SOM during the first semester and as a regularly matriculated student at Law during the second semester. During the summers following the second, third and fifth years, the participant will be matriculated in the SOM.
Students in the program will pay SOM tuition when matriculated at the School of Medicine and Law tuition when matriculated at the School of Law. Thus students will pay a total of seven semesters of tuition to the SOM and five semesters of tuition to Law. In addition, the SOM will provide a funds transfer to Law to recognize certain costs during year 6. Furthermore, unlike other SOM students, students in the combination degree program will be charged tuition and fees for the summer session in the SOM following year 5. Specifically, SOM will transfer to Law 1/3 of the year five summer SOM tuition; SOM will keep the other 2/3 of this summer tuition.
6. CHANGE OF STATUS – At any point in the program, the participant will be permitted to terminate plans for a combination 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.
7. FINANCIAL AID – Financial aid will be provided by the school to which the student is paying tuition during each semester. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University availability and regulations.
8. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – Students will be eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both schools to the extent time permits. Because of the possibility of over-commitment, however, students will be strongly encouraged to seek counsel from the Program Committee regarding proposed extracurricular activities.
9. GRADING STANDARDS – The student 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 program following its usual academic standards and procedures. Problems that arise in translation of different grading standards resulting from the combination degree program will be dealt with by the Program Committee. Grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript under the grading standard in effect at the school in which the course is taken.
M.D./M.B.A.
The School of Medicine and the Darden School of Business offers a combination (formerly termed “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 degree were taken separately. 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 during Phase 2 of the SOM curriculum. For students in the MD-MBA program, graduation requirements must be completed within 7 years of matriculation in the School of Medicine.
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 combination 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 combination 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 combination degree program. Admission to the combination 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 combination degree program must successfully complete 4 Darden courses approved annually by the combination 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 combination 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 combination 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.Kathryn Mutter. 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
In partnership with the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the School of Data Science offers a combination (formerly termed “dual”) degree program that gives MD candidates the opportunity to acquire in-depth understanding of data science tools and techniques to apply to the field of medicine.
Throughout the 11-month data science program, MD candidates will learn directly from the rigorous and integrated curriculum and hands-on experiences offered by the Master of Science of Data Science program at the School of Data Science.
Medical Students who pursue the MSDS should expect to begin their MSDS courses after completing Phase 2 of the SOM curriculum and to extend their education by 1 year. For students in the MSDS program, graduation requirements must be completed within 7 years of matriculation in the School of Medicine.
For more information, visit the UVA School of Data Science.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM:
A program committee administers the combination degree program and is composed of one faculty member from School of Medicine and one faculty member affiliated with the School of Data Science, 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 School of Data Science 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 combination 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 combination degree program. Admission to the combination 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 School of Data Science. 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 the School of Data Science. 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 combination 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 combination degree. Both programs agree to provide credit for the coursework the students took during their combination 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 combination degree program will be required to pay the combined annual tuition and fees of both the School of Data Science and the School of Medicine. The intent is for tuition and fees to flow directly to each school, but if this creates an administrative burden on the University, tuition will flow annually from the School of Medicine to the School of Data Science.
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 combination 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 combination degree program.
M.D./M.P.H. (Public Health)
The combination (formerly termed “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 Phase 2, and to extend their education by 1 year. For students in the MD-MPH program, graduation requirements must be completed within 7 years.
Admission to the Program
Any student enrolled in the MD-MPH degree program has access to eight semesters of medical school financial aid and will pay eight semesters of medical school tuition.
Students will remain enrolled in the School of Medicine for the first three years.
Students then will apply to and be accepted by the MPH Program for the fall and spring semesters of Year 4. During Year 4, students will pay MPH tuition. Students can apply for financial aid with the UVA Student Financial Services Office.
Curriculum
During Year 4, students enroll full-time for two semesters in the Master of Public Health Sciences Program and complete 33 credits of MPH course work. The student will pay graduate tuition through Public Health and is eligible for appropriate graduate financial aid.
Students then return to the School of Medicine for the summer session and for the remaining fall and spring semesters of Year 5. During Year 5 when registered and paying tuition in the School of Medicine, students will also register for 9 PHS credits to complete their MPH course requirements. Up to 8 medical school elective credits also may be awarded for this course work.
The following PHS courses/credits are applicable to both programs (MD and MPH) and will be taken in Year 5:
PHS 8900 Field Placement
PHS 8930 Integrative Learning Experience
PHS 8960 Supervised Independent Research
A letter from the MPH director documenting successful completion of the above courses and supporting consideration for medical school elective credit will enable the student to receive up to 8 elective credits toward the MD degree providing that the letter is received 4 weeks before graduation.
Awarding of Degrees
Both the MD and MPH degrees, providing requirements have been met for both career plans, can be awarded at the May graduation.
M.D./M.S. in Clinical Research
The combination (formerly termed “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 Phase 2 of the SOM curriculum and to extend their education by 1 year. For students in the MD-MS program, graduation requirements must be completed within 7 years of matriculation in the School of Medicine. For more information, see https://med.virginia.edu/phs/education-programs-in-public-health-sciences/masters-in-clinical-research-university-of-virginia/mdms-cr-program/.
The Department of Public Health Sciences (PHS) and the School of Medicine are proud to offer a combination degree program to medical students at the University of Virginia. This program allows medical students to earn two degrees–the MD and the MS in Clinical Research –in five years.
A typical procedure for completing the combination degree program is listed below:
Year 1: Interested students enrolled in the School of Medicine send an Intent to Enroll form to the Department of Public Health Sciences (these forms are available from the PHS Program Coordinator).
Students then complete the first three years of medical school.
During Year 3: Students submit formal applications to PHS MS-CR Program, including all required supporting documents. Contact the PHS Education Office for further details.
Year 4: Students temporarily leave the School of Medicine and enroll in
MS-CR Program. Students complete the requirements of the PHS program, including a minimum of 30 credits of PHS course work, and earn the MS degree.
Year 5, or after earning the MS degree: Students return to the School of
Medicine to complete their fourth year of medical school and earn their MD degree.
M.D./Ph.D. (NIH Medical Scientist Training)
See MD/PhD – Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) in rules section
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
