Our Program

The program emphasizes continuity between the curricula of clinical and basic sciences and is designed for students with a strong interest in research who plan a career in academic medicine.

The summers prior to the first and second years in medical school are spent in a research laboratory. Students are strongly supported as they explore exciting ideas and develop unique insights regarding problems in medical research.

During the first two years of medical school, MSTP students are encouraged to use elective time to fulfill graduate department course requirements and to select a laboratory and advisor for their research programs. A list of participating faculty is available here, though you are not limited to these choices. MSTP students do not need to be admitted to a graduate department until after their second year; a list of participating departments is available here. After obtaining a PhD, trainees return to medical school for their clinical clerkships. Upon completion of the program, generally after eight years, trainees commence their careers in biomedical or clinical research. Most choose either a residency or a postdoctoral fellowship program; some trainees do both. The current positions of our graduates are available in our alumni directory.

The MSTP is supported primarily by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Each trainee is provided with a stipend, tuition, and health benefits for the length of the program, contingent upon continued federal support and satisfactory performance in the program.

Year 1-Summer

First Lab Rotation

Year 1-Fall, Winter, Spring

First year of Medical School (curriculum)

Year 2-Summer

Second lab rotation

Year 2-Fall, Winter, Spring

Second year of Medical School (curriculum)

Year 3-Summer

Third lab rotation or clerkship

Years 3-6

Graduate research for PhD (participating departments). PhD Awarded

Years 7-8

Medical School clerkships (Medical school year 3 and year 4 curriculum). MD Awarded

Further information about our program is available in other sections of this web site. For general information about this university and its programs, you may be interested in the University of Washington home page, the UW Graduate School home page, and/or the UW School of Medicine home page. Further Information about MD/PhD Programs in general is available at MD-PhD.org.