Program Overview

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Program

The Duke University School of Medicine's Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) curriculum is unique. Students learn the core basic sciences in the first year and complete core clinical clerkships in the second year.

Students devote 10 to 12 months to scholarly investigation and fulfill elective rotations in the third and fourth years. By condensing the traditionally structured training from four years into three, Duke's M.D. program provides students ample opportunity to pursue their own independent interests.

Features of the Doctor of Medicine Curriculum

• Four years dedicated to the exploration of medicine from a Patient FIRST perspective that embodies our core values of humanism, professionalism, promotion of health equity, and lifelong learning
• A compact one-year basic science curriculum that integrates core biomedical content in the context of clinical patient care
• A blended learning model that utilizes technology to deliver core content while maximizing in-person time for integration and synthesis and team development
• An entire year dedicated to an in-depth exploration of an area of scholarly interest across a range of scientific disciplines in order to become change agents in the future of health care
• Clinical experiences across numerous general and specialized fields by some of the top health care providers in their fields
• Mentorship of students by faculty and student leaders in all facets of the learning process
• Implementation of a standardized and valid assessment of progress, carefully and thoughtfully evaluating the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes appropriate to the goals of each student as a future physician

Curriculum Schedule

The curriculum schedule is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in medicine.

Curriculum Innovation: Training the Physician Leaders of the Future

Duke University School of Medicine’s Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program has launched the Patient FIRST curriculum that provides a transformative learning experience for students which puts the patient at the center of their learning beginning Day 1 of medical school.

The Third Year

Duke's unique third year provides an opportunity for students to study in-depth an area of particular interest in some form of scholarly endeavor—whether it be bench, clinical research, or a dual degree. This third year is a time for students to gain insight into long-term career goals and mature their approaches to medicine.

Curriculum Details

• About the MD Program
  • MD Program Contacts
  • MD Program News
• Admissions
  • The Admissions Process
    • Important Dates
    • Academic Expectations
    • Application
    • The Interview
    • Technical Standards
    • Admissions Statistics
  • Admissions FAQs
  • Admissions Team
  • Connect with Current Students
• Financial Aid
  • Apply for Aid Doctor of Medicine
    • MD Current Student
  • Meet a Scholarship Donor
• Curriculum
  • Curriculum Innovation
  • First Year
  • Second Year
  • Third Year
    • Goals & Objectives
    • Planning your Scholarly Experience
    • Scholarship Opportunities
    • Study Away
    • Study Program Directors
    • Study Programs
    • Dual Degree Programs
    • Third Year Mentors
      • Mentor Information
  • Fourth Year
  • Longitudinal Curricular Experiences
    • Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Curriculum
  • Dual Degrees and Specialty Tracks
    • Primary Care Leadership Track
      • About the PCLT Program
      • PCLT News
      • PCLT Application Process
      • Students - Primary Care Leadership Track
      • Faculty & Staff
      • Leadership and Population Health Training
      • Research Projects by PCLT Students
      • Community Service
  • Office of Curricular Affairs
    • OCA Faculty & Staff
    • Assessment and Evaluation
    • Clinical Skills Program
    • Faculty Educator Resources
    • Student Resources
• Student Experience
  • Student Government
  • Annual Events
    • New Student Orientation
    • White Coat Ceremony
    • Medical Families Day & Student Faculty Show
    • Match Day
    • Commencement & Hippocratic Oath Ceremony
  • Office of Student Affairs
    • Advisory Deans and Staff
    • Advising
  • Office of the Ombuds
• LCME Visit
  • LCME Faculty Engagement
  • LCME Visit Timeline
  • LCME Faculty Lead & Feedback