Program Overview

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MD Program Overview

The Penn State College of Medicine offers a comprehensive medical education program leading to the MD degree. The central campus is located in Hershey, Pa., adjacent to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, which is part of Penn State Health's multi-hospital health system.

Our Vision for Medical Education

Our goal is to train humanistic, systems-ready physicians who are adaptive, critical thinking, collaborative, and scholarly. Traditionally, medical education has focused on two pillars: medical science and clinical care. As healthcare delivery rapidly shifts from physician-centric to patient-centric, and patient care involves both the care of the individual and the care of populations, a more comprehensive model is needed.

The Four Pillars

The four pillars of medical education at Penn State are:

• Health Humanities: Students find humanities principles and content throughout the curriculum.
• Biomedical Sciences: Courses provide exposure to foundational basic sciences and medical specialties.
• Clinical Sciences: A combination of classroom and clinical settings provides students the opportunity to apply learned skills to actual patient encounters.
• Health Systems Science: We were one of the first medical schools in the country to implement Health Systems Science into the curriculum.

Hershey Curriculum

The central curriculum is revolutionizing the way tomorrow’s doctors are trained. We’ve created a four-pillar curriculum designed to give students a global perspective of the healthcare system. Beginning your first year, you’ll serve as a patient navigator, guiding patients on a smoother journey through the often-complicated process of getting the care they need.

University Park Regional Campus

The University Park Regional Campus is located on the largest campus at Penn State, providing students with the opportunity to take advantage of the resources of a major Big Ten university campus and engage early on in healthcare at the community level. The University Park curriculum is equivalent to Hershey, ensuring a high-quality medical education that meets rigorous standards.

Additional Educational Tracks

Our curriculum options are open to all enrolled MD students. Once you're accepted for admission to Penn State College of Medicine, you will be able to apply for the specific track you want. For combined degrees, you will need to meet the requirements and gain acceptance into the other program independent of the MD program.

Accelerated Tracks

Penn State College of Medicine offers pathways with accelerated educational experiences and early entry into residency. These pathways allow students who have committed to a specialty area to finish medical school early and match into a Penn State residency program, helping to accelerate their professional development.

MD/PhD Program

Through the MD/PhD Medical-Scientist Training Program, you’ll gain the tools and training you need to become a successful physician-scientist. The program, typically completed in eight years, will prepare you for a successful career as a physician and scientist in biomedical and health medical research, academic medicine, or a related field.

What Else Makes Us Different

Global-Minded

You’ll have the unique opportunity to improve health around the world. Students in the Global Health Scholars Program travel to partner sites and provide essential care. Rural Scholars focus on community needs in Pennsylvania.

Community-Engaged

College of Medicine students also have direct involvement in the betterment of the central Pennsylvania community. Student-run medical clinics and mobile clinics provide community health outreach in Hershey, rural Centre County, and beyond.

Diversity-Committed

We are committed to increasing the representation of our student population and workforce to reflect our nation’s demographics. We are equally committed to effectively caring for our increasingly diverse population.