MD/PhD Program

The MD/PhD program combines medical (MD) and graduate (PhD) training with the goal of educating and training the next generation of leaders in biomedical research and academic medicine.

Our MD/PhD program has two options:

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College of Human Medicine-MSU MD/PhD Track

Established in 1985, the College of Human Medicine MSU MD/PhD program through which a small number of academically capable, highly motivated students earn both the MD and PhD degrees.

The training program can begin as early as the summer immediately prior to the first year of medical school, with participation in laboratory rotations (if appropriate). Students take medical and graduate school courses through the first three years following a schedule specifically tailored to them. This provides an opportunity to begin the graduate program while getting to know both their MD and PhD classmates. The student sits for the USMLE Step I Exam (boards) no later than the end of Year 3. Years 4 and 5 (and more if needed) are devoted to dissertation research.  Once the PhD is completed, the student begins their clinical clerkships (Late Clinical Experience).

Students will be able to apply their PhD research as three two-week CHM research electives towards their clerkship requirements during the fourth year, decreasing the duration of medical school by six weeks. 

Unique to this program is the introduction of the Integrated Clinical Experience during the PhD training years. MD/PhD students stay in touch with their medical colleagues and medical training through participation in a monthly continuity clinic assignment in a clinic of interest as selected by the student.

To assure successful completion of the program, each student's progress is reviewed regularly by the MD/PhD program director, the graduate program director, their research mentor, and the graduate thesis committee.

Students in the MSU MD/PhD Program will be placed at the East Lansing or Grand Rapids community campus for their Early Clinical (ECE) and Middle Clinical (MCE) Experiences based on the anticipated location of their research mentor. Clinical clerkship community assignments will be determined individually, based on what is optimal for the students overall training program.

• Graduate Study Options

  The MSU Graduate School is where applicants apply to the graduate program of their choice. The site includes links to all MSU PhD programs. The MSU MD/PhD program encourages applications from candidates interested in fields other than the traditional biomedical sciences, provided the research interest has a connection to medicine and health care.

  Of note, the BioMolecular Science Gateway offers admission to 6 graduate programs: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology.

• Research Opportunities in Grand Rapids

  There are several opportunities for research at the Grand Rapids Research Center, which houses researchers from the departments of Translational Neuroscience, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, and Pediatrics and Human Development.

• Financial Support

  Financial support for the College of Human Medicine-MSU MD/PhD program comes from the MSU Graduate School and the College of Human Medicine. Financial packages available for the 2025 application cycle include health care, partial tuition, and a living stipend for the first three years (eight semesters) and last two years (five semesters) of training. The graduate programs are expected to support the student during the PhD research years. All students are also required to apply for an NIH F-30 award (or its equivalent) during their first 48 months in the program.

• Application Process

  An applicant must apply for admission to the college through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) as a Combined Medical Degree/PhD applicant.

  If the applicant is deemed eligible for acceptance by both the college and a graduate program, their application will be reviewed by the College of Human Medicine-MSU MD/PhD Selection Committee for a final decision. If accepted, the applicant will be offered a position in the program.

  Applicants invited to join the program will receive a formal acceptance from the College of Human Medicine and the applicable graduate department after accepting the offer to join the MD/PhD program. An applicant who is not selected for acceptance by the committee is not eligible for a seat as an MD degree-only student.

  Interested applicants should:

  • Apply to the College of Human Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) as a Combined Medical Degree/PhD type applicant.
  • Take (or retake, if necessary) the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
  • For optimal consideration, application materials including the AMCAS application, MCAT, CASPer exam, letters of evaluation, and CHM Secondary Applications should be completed early. The deadline for these items is as follows: 
    • AMCAS Application 
    • Secondary Application 

  Please note: Interested applicants should take the CASPer test or the AAMC PREview test for the 2025-2026 application cycle. Applicants who do not take CASPer or PREview by this date will not be considered.

  • To be competitive for the limited number of MD/PhD fellowships, application materials including MCAT scores, letters of evaluation, graduate program preference, Secondary Application, and Graduate School application should be submitted early. Review of applications begins in July.
• Letters of Evaluation

  All applicants to the College of Human Medicine MD/PhD program are expected to have a minimum of four letters submitted through the AMCAS Letters service. Applicants should request three letters of recommendation for the MD/PhD program component, from individuals who can attest to the applicant's qualifications for the MD/PhD Program, as well as their motivation and ability to conduct research. 

  To address the MD component more specifically, applicants should submit at least one letter that reflects their medical/clinical interest and experience and can address personal characteristics consistent with an excellent physician.  Applications will not be reviewed until all letters are received.

• Interviews

  College of Human Medicine-MSU interviews will take place virtually for the 2025 cycle and are arranged by the College's Office of Admissions. PhD interviews will be held as per the program recruiting schedules. In some instances, an earlier virtual interview may be arranged on or near the day of the applicant’s interview.

  The applicant will also have an opportunity to meet with the Director of the MD/PhD Program as well as current students virtually, as well as in person during any campus visits.

Contact Information

Questions about the College of Human Medicine-MSU MD/PhD program may be directed to:
Cindy Grove Arvidson, PhD
MSU CHM MD/PhD Program Director
A112J Clinical Center
East Lansing, MI 48824
Email: arvidso3@msu.edu

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College of Human Medicine-Van Andel Institute MD/PhD Track

The College of Human Medicine (CHM) and the Van Andel Institute (VAI) MD/PhD Program is a joint effort between the college and the Van Andel Institute (VAI). Students admitted to this program will pursue an MD degree through CHM while simultaneously pursuing a PhD in molecular and cellular biology through the Van Andel Institute Graduate School (The Graduate School).

Students enrolled in the program receive their medical degree education and training through the College and their biomedical research education, including coursework, laboratory research, and dissertation research, through The Graduate School. They are considered students of both institutions for the duration of their participation in the program. Students receive priority placement at the Human Medicine Grand Rapids campus for the Early, Middle, and Late Clinical Experiences, to allow maximum opportunity for engagement with VAI programming.

Students spend years one and two completing their initial coursework and taking the USMLE Step 1 Exam. Beginning in year three, students will attend The Graduate School to complete the PhD portion of their degree. Students will be able to apply their PhD research as three two-week College of Human Medicine research electives towards their clerkship requirements during the fourth year, decreasing the duration of medical school by six weeks. 

The Graduate School will award the PhD degree when the student completes all of the degree requirements. The student will then return to CHM to complete the final two years of clinical training necessary for the MD degree.

• Financial Support
  During medical school years students will pay regular MSU MD program tuition. They may apply for competitive fellowships and scholarships both internal and external to the College of Human Medicine.
  
  During the graduate school years, students will receive a package of financial assistance administered through The Graduate School. This support, typically directed through a graduate fellowship, will provide a stipend, health, dental, vision, and life insurance; a full waiver of tuition; and $2500 per year for travel to scientific conferences. Students will be expected to apply for external predoctoral fellowships, which will be submitted and administered through The Graduate School and relevant Van Andel Institute (VAI) offices. During the graduate school years, no tuition will be directed or be paid to MSU.
  
  External training grants to support physician-scientist training programs are or may become available from federal, state, or private sources. Applications for such training grants will be administered through The Graduate School. The Graduate School will be a cooperating institution on such training grants. Funds supporting students (stipends, benefits, tuition relief, etc.) during their medical school years will be directed to MSU, and funds supporting students during their graduate school years will be directed to The Graduate School.
• Application Process

  An applicant must apply for admission to the College of Human Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) as a Combined Medical Degree/PhD applicant.

  Interested applicants should:

  • • • Apply to the College of Human Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) as a Combined Medical Degree/PhD type applicant.
      • Take (or retake, if necessary) the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) by 9/01/2024.
      • For optimal consideration, application materials including the AMCAS application, MCAT, CASPer exam, letters of evaluation, and college Secondary Applications should be completed early. The deadline for these items is as follows: 
        • AMCAS Application 9/01/2024
        • Secondary Application 10/01/2024

  Please note: Interested applicants should take the CASPer test no later than 8/15/2024 or the AAMC PREview test no later than 8/15/2024 for the 2024-2025 application cycle. Applicants who do not take CASPer or PREview by this date will not be considered.
  

  • • To be competitive for the limited number of MD/PhD fellowships, application materials including MCAT scores, letters of evaluation, graduate program preference, Secondary Application, and Graduate School application should be submitted early. Review of applications begins in July.
• Letters of Evaluation
  All applicants to the CHM-VAI MD/PhD program are expected to submit a minimum of four letters to the College of Human Medicine through the AMCAS Letters service. Applicants should request three letters of recommendation for the MD/PhD program component, from individuals who can attest to the applicant's qualifications for the MD/PhD Program, as well as their motivation and ability to conduct research. To address the MD component more specifically, applicants should submit at least one letter that reflects their medical/clinical interest and experience and can address personal characteristics consistent with an excellent physician.
• Interviews
  The goal of the CHM-VAI MD/PhD program is to interview all applicants by the end of October. Applicants are interviewed separately for each program by members of the respective interview panels. The CHM Office of Admissions schedules the MD interview, which for the 2023 cycle will be virtual. VAIGS interviews are scheduled through The Graduate School’s admissions office.
  
  During The Graduate School interview, the applicant will be interviewed by a research faculty, take a tour of the research facilities, and be given the opportunity to meet with appropriate faculty and current MD/PhD students during their visit.
  
  The applicant will also have an opportunity to meet with the Director of the MD/PhD Program as well as current students virtually and during campus visits.

Questions about the College of Human Medicine-VAIGS MD/PhD program may be directed to: