MD/PhD Program Curriculum | NYU Langone Health

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MD/PhD Program Curriculum

MD/PhD candidates at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences follow academic pathways that integrate preclinical coursework, clinical clerkships, and graduate training in the biomedical sciences.

Our MD/PhD program handbook, accessible to current students by logging into our intranet community using your Kerberos ID, provides a detailed overview of program guidelines.

MD/PhD Program Timeline

MD/PhD candidates follow a general timeline for choosing one of two academic pathways.

First Summer

Beginning in June of the year of your matriculation, you participate in mini-research rotations and attend the MD/PhD summer seminar series. You choose your research rotation mentors in consultation with a program co-director before arrival on campus.

Medical School Year One

Students enter stage one preclerkship curriculum at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. You must comply with the policies of the MD degree program as stated in the MD student handbook. During the academic year, you are expected to participate in MD/PhD program activities as your schedule permits.

Second Summer

At the end of the first year, you take Step 1 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). You participate in a second summer research rotation and attend our MD/PhD summer seminar series. You choose your research rotation mentor in consultation with a program co-director.

Medical School Year Two

Students enter stage two clerkship year of the MD curriculum. During the academic year, you are expected to participate in MD/PhD program activities as your schedule permits. At the end of the second year, you take Step 2 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Transition to Graduate School

After completing the first two years of the MD degree program, you transition to PhD training in the fall of your third year. While in PhD training, you comply with graduate school policies.

Upon entering the MD/PhD program, you are strongly encouraged to read the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Compact Between Biomedical Graduate Students and Their Research Advisors.

You must complete all academic requirements of the training program as outlined by Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences to receive a PhD.

Transition Back to Medical School

Re-entry into medical school requires coordination among you, your mentor, your thesis advisory committee, the MD/PhD program, and the MD program.

In the MD curriculum, MD/PhD students complete critical care clerkship, subinternship, selectives, and electives.

When you return to the MD training program after completing your PhD, we provide up to 24 months of funding while you complete the MD curriculum. Funding terminates on the last day of the month you graduate from NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

MD/PhD candidates also take the NYU Grossman School of Medicine comprehensive clinical skills exam. You must pass to graduate.

MD/PhD Program Pathways

NYU Grossman School of Medicine MD/PhD candidates may choose from one of two academic pathways. Confer with the MD/PhD director to discuss which pathway is right for you.

Pathway One: Traditional

Students follow the first two years of the MD curriculum and take Step 1 and Step 2 of the USMLE before the transition to graduate school. Students are expected to start in the thesis laboratory immediately unless a third rotation is scheduled.

The entry dates for the final year in medical school are between April and July. Graduation is in May.

Pathway Two: NYU Grossman School of Medicine Residency Early Decision

Students interested in an NYU Grossman School of Medicine residency can eliminate the need for residency applications and interviews. This is made possible by conditional acceptance into a residency in the field of the student’s choice at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Students apply to Pathway Two early in their final year of PhD training, having completed preclinical training and most of their graduate school studies. To apply, students must identify their residency choice.

All students accepted into a residency at NYU Grossman School of Medicine participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), and our residency program ranks these students to match. As part of a student’s participation in the NRMP, they may apply to residency training outside NYU Grossman School of Medicine and rank programs according to their desire.

Graduation is in May-June, followed by NYU Grossman School of Medicine residency beginning July 1.