Medical Scientist Training Program

University of Illinois Chicago

The UIC College of Medicine offers a select number of students the opportunity to work toward both the MD and PhD degrees in an integrated fashion, in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). The objective of the program is to train students for careers in academic medicine and research. Students admitted to this highly competitive program participate in the medical school curriculum and pursue original doctoral research projects in the laboratories of the university’s graduate faculty. Students take seven to eight years to complete both degrees four years for MD degree and three to four years for the PhD degree. Program Overview The first two years of the program are used to complete Phase 1 of the medical school curriculum (M-1 and M-2 years). Students enter ''at large,'' that is, without an affiliation to a particular graduate department. During this time, they are encouraged to explore research opportunities in any academic department of the College of Medicine and selected graduate departments throughout the university. After admission to the MSTP, students complete three rotations in laboratories working with various potential advisors before a choice is made. The choice of a permanent thesis advisor and graduate department takes place at the end of the Phase 1 curriculum. Students then step out of the medical school curriculum and begin the graduate phase of their training. Students in the graduate phase (G1–G4 years) of the program work side-by-side with other PhD students and meet all department-specific requirements for the PhD degree. Students’ research accomplishments result in original publications and in presentations at national biomedical science meetings. For the PhD phase of the program, students may associate with one of the basic science PhD programs of the College of Medicine (see descriptions in this section), with the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, the Department of Bioengineering, or with one of many program-approved departments across the university. During the PhD studies, MSTP students keep their clinical skills sharp by participating in a Clinical Connections. Upon successfully defending their thesis, students complete their graduate training and return to medical school.

College of Pharmacy