Frequently Asked Questions

Am I required to do a laboratory rotation in the summer before medical school starts?
Are there a minimum number of laboratory rotations I'm required to do?
What is the average class size?
How many students are currently enrolled in the MD/PhD Program?
What is the annual stipend?
Is there a payback requirement for withdrawal from the Program?
How long does it take to complete the program?
Do UMMS students have opportunity for hands-on patient-care experience?
How is the UMass MD-PhD Program structured with regard to integration of the two degrees?
Why does the PhD portion of the MD-PhD Program take only 3-4 years instead of 5?
What makes your MD-PhD Program different from all of the others?
Can I get a PhD outside the medical school?
Can I do one degree before the other?
Can I get a PhD in a Clinical Science?
Are there teaching requirements?
Why does UMass have MD/PhD specific courses and what is different about them?
How will my training differ from other "straight PhD" students?
How does a student select a doctoral field?
In which fields may the Ph.D. be earned?

Am I required to do a laboratory rotation in the summer before medical school starts?

No, however we do encourage incoming students to complete a lab rotation prior to starting Medical School.

Are there a minimum number of laboratory rotations I'm required to do?

Yes, you are required to complete two lab rotations during your education, one for each summer following years one and two in Medical School.

What is the average class size?

The average MD/PhD class size is ~8. Enrollment for the past three years has been between 7 and 10.

How many students are currently enrolled in the MD/PhD Program?

There are 46 students currently enrolled in the Program. We expect that number to grow slightly over the next year between graduation and matriculation.

What is the annual stipend?

The annual stipend for AY08/09 is $28,000.

Is there a payback requirement for withdrawal from the Program?

Yes, if a student withdraws from the Program, there is a Special Program Fee which requires a student to pay back a set amount for each semester (Fall and Spring) if they withdraw from the Program. This fee is set at 10K per semester for MA residents and 17.5K per semester for out-of-state residents.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The overall length of time in the MD/PhD Program is 7-10 years. Most students complete in 7-8 years.

Do UMMS students have opportunity for hands-on patient-care experience?

Yes, beginning with the first year of Medical School, students have the opportunity to work directly with patients as part of a Community Clerkship and the Physician Patient and Society course, part of the Medical School curriculum. Please review the curriculum information online for the Undergraduate Medical Education.

How is the UMass MD-PhD Program structured with regard to integration of the two degrees?

The typical program structure is 2/3-5/2 where the students begins by completing the pre-clinical medical education, shifting to the graduate school for the PhD studies and returning to finish the two clinical years of Medical School. However, the Program is flexible enough to accommodate changes based on a reasonable request.

Why does the PhD portion of the MD-PhD Program take only 3-4 years instead of 5?

The Graduate School Core Curriculum, a one year program, is waived for MD/PhD students as they have already completed the pre-clinical course work in the Medical School. In addition, MD/PhD students are required to have bi-annual research committee meetings to help keep them on track with their research.

What makes your MD-PhD Program different from all of the others?

There are several reasons:

The overarching collaboration between research and clinical faculty members at UMass Medical School.
The hands-on approach taken to working with our students to ensure success in both Medical School and Graduate School; a single advisor for all years in the Program.
Bridge courses designed to maintain connections with both schools during your academic career.
Over 280 research faculty to choose from for a thesis mentor; nine different Graduate Programs for thesis research.

Can I get a PhD outside the medical school?

No, every students must complete both their MD and PhD at UMass Medical School.

Can I do one degree before the other?

No, the integration of the two programs is what makes it unique. Completing one degree after another simply provides you with two degrees, but no any interaction between the clinical and research components.

Can I get a PhD in a Clinical Science?

Yes, there is a Clinical and Population Health Research (CPHR) Program in the Graduate School that focuses on clinical research. They have a curriculum to their students that the MD/PhD students must complete if they choose to apply to this particular program. Please find more information about CPHR at www.umassmed.edu/cphr.

Are there teaching requirements?

Yes, there is a teaching requirement which can be fulfilled in a number of different ways including student participation in the MD/PhD seminar series. Since there is not an undergraduate program at UMass Medical School, the teaching requirements are not the traditional TA positions.

Why does UMass have MD/PhD specific courses and what is different about them?

The MD/PhD Program has specific courses that bridge research and medical academics. During the first two years of Medical School, MDP740 focuses on understanding and interpreting research literature. These discussions are held both in a group format and one-on-one with faculty. During the PhD years, MDP741 stresses clinical skills by placing the graduate students in a clinical setting for hands-on experience.

How will my training differ from other "straight PhD" students?

You are not required to take the Core Curriculum and must take any advanced courses recommended by your thesis advisor. All of the other requirements for the PhD Degree are the same.

How does a student select a doctoral field?

The Program provides many opportunities to meet with faculty via research retreats and poster sessions, literature tutorials, summer lab rotations and seminars.

In which fields may the Ph.D. be earned?

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is an umbrella program which encompasses nine different Programs. All PhD degrees are earned in Biomedical Sciences regardless of faculty thesis mentor or affiliated Program. There are nine different Program associated with the Graduate School, and are listed below.