Program Overview

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Introduction to the MD Program

The MD program at McGovern Medical School is a four-year curriculum designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become competent and caring physicians. The program is divided into three phases: pre-clerkship, clerkship, and career focus tracks.

Pre-Clerkship Phase

The pre-clerkship phase is the first two years of the program and consists of foundational courses in the basic sciences, as well as clinical skills training. The courses include:

• Foundations of Medical Science
• Doctoring 1: History and Physical Exam
• Hematology and Introduction to Pathology
• Cardiovascular System
• Pulmonary System
• Renal System
• Doctoring 2: Longitudinal Clinical Experience
• Gastrointestinal System
• Nervous System and Behavior
• Endocrine System
• Reproductive Systems
• Musculoskeletal System and Dermatology
• Transition to Clerkship

Clerkship Phase

The clerkship phase is the third year of the program and consists of 48 instructional weeks. The required clerkships include:

• Family Medicine
• Geriatrics
• Internal Medicine
• Neurology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Surgery
• Elective

Career Focus Tracks Phase

The career focus tracks phase is the fourth year of the program and consists of 42 instructional weeks. The goal of this phase is to provide students with clinical experience related to their intended career path and to provide career mentoring and guidance. There are four tracks:

• Primary Care
• Acute Care
• Applied Anatomy
• Academic Career

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the basic sciences and clinical skills. The courses are taught using a variety of methods, including lectures, small group discussions, and clinical skills training.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MD program is highly competitive and requires a strong academic record, as well as a demonstrated commitment to the field of medicine. The admission requirements include:

• A minimum of 90 undergraduate semester hours
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Completion of the prerequisite coursework, including:
  • English: 6 semester hours
  • Biological Sciences: 14 semester hours
  • Inorganic Chemistry: 8 semester hours
  • Organic Chemistry: 8 semester hours
  • Physics: 8 semester hours
• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• A minimum MCAT score of 500
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Tuition and Fees

The tuition and fees for the MD program are subject to change and are currently:

• Resident Tuition: $21,083.00
• Non-Resident Tuition: $28,738.00
• School Specific Fees:
  • Laboratory: $35.00
  • Foundations of Medical Science Course Fee: $675.00
  • Malpractice Insurance: $25.00
  • Computer Resource: $200.00
  • Technology Fee: $1,551.00
  • Library Resource: $165.00
  • Simulation and Skills Fee: $1,375.00
  • UWorld Fee: $499.00 (MS2 Year); $569.00 (MS3 Year)
  • National Achievement Exams Fee: $130.00 (MS1 Year); $473.00 (MS2 Year); $550.00 (MS3 Year); $184.00 (MS4 Year)
  • Student Orientation Fee: $162.00 (MS1 Year); $65.00 (MS2 Year); $80.00 (MS3 Year); $75.00 (MS4 Year)
  • Health Insurance: $3,438.00
  • Graduation: $150.00
  • Information Technology Access Fee: $126.00
  • Medical Counseling Service Fee: $123.75 (MS1 and MS2 Years); $165.00 (MS3 and MS4 Years)

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students based on need, merit, or a combination of both. The scholarships do not need to be repaid, but may have specific criteria for the recipient to remain eligible.

Research Programs

The MD program offers several research programs, including the Summer Research Program, the Scholarly Concentration Programs, and the Academic Career Focus Track. These programs provide students with the opportunity to engage in research and scholarly activities, and to develop their skills in critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and communication.

Disability Accommodations

The MD program is committed to providing equal access to all students, including those with disabilities. The program provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, as long as the accommodations do not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the student or others, or require a substantial modification of the curriculum.

Technical Standards

The MD program has established technical standards that all students must meet in order to participate in the program. The technical standards include:

• Observation
• Communication
• Motor Function
• Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
• Behavioral and Social Attributes
• Ethical Standards

Application Procedure

The application procedure for the MD program includes:

• A primary application through the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)
• A secondary application to McGovern Medical School
• A CASPer test score
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Evaluation of Applicants

The Admissions Committee evaluates applicants based on a variety of factors, including:

• Intellectual capacity
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Breadth and depth of pre-medical educational experience
• Potential for service to the State of Texas
• Motivation
• Integrity
• Technical standards and essential functions

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee is responsible for overseeing the medical education program, including the design, management, integration, evaluation, and enhancement of the curriculum.

Competencies and Medical Education Program Objectives

The MD program has established competencies and medical education program objectives that all students must meet in order to graduate. The competencies include:

• Patient Care and Clinical Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpretation of Medical Data/Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Professionalism
• Health Systems and Society

Learning Resource Center

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides students with access to study spaces, computer facilities, and other resources to support their learning.

MD Admissions

Admission to the MD program is determined by the Admissions Committee, which is composed of faculty members from both basic science and clinical departments.

Academic Prerequisites

Applicants must complete at least 90 undergraduate semester hours, including the prerequisite coursework, at a regionally accredited United States or Canadian college or university.

Medical College Admission Test

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for admission to the MD program.

Evaluation of Applicants

The Admissions Committee considers the totality of each application and gives importance to the factors enumerated above.

Curriculum

The basic four-year program outlined below is required for the MD degree. The curriculum is organized into three phases: pre-clerkship, clerkship, and career focus tracks.

Career Focus Tracks

The career focus tracks are designed to provide students with clinical experience related to their intended career path and to provide career mentoring and guidance. There are four tracks:

• Primary Care
• Acute Care
• Applied Anatomy
• Academic Career

Electives

The fourth-year elective programs permit students to seek clinical opportunities away from Houston, at their own expense, ranging from family practice in rural communities to experiences in the most sophisticated settings requiring advanced technology.

Transition to Residency

The Transition to Residency course is designed to prepare students for residency and includes specialty-based workshops, panel discussions, plenary speakers, and clinical skills practice sessions.