Program Overview
Introduction to the Feinberg MD Curriculum
The Feinberg MD program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine prepares students to practice medicine in the real world, with a focus on health equity for all. The curriculum is designed to promote mastery of medical science, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Our Four Curricular Elements
The Feinberg MD curriculum consists of four main elements:
- Science in Medicine
- Clinical Medicine
- Professional Development
- Health & Society
Evidence-Based Science Learning
The curriculum supports mastery of medical science through immersive learning strategies, including:
- Problem-Based Learning: a case-based, collaborative framework for inquiry and learning
- Synthesis & Application Modules: periodic opportunities to integrate prior learnings
Stage-Appropriate Patient Exposure
The MD curriculum immerses students in evidence-based clinical care from day one, with real-world patient experiences and expert training. This includes:
- Education-Centered Medical Home: the clinical setting where students train throughout their four years
A Post-Medical School Pathway
The MD curriculum emphasizes lifelong learning, equipping students with mentored research and professional development courses and resources.
A Social-Ecological Framework
The curriculum integrates social determinants, healthcare disparities, and care quality into every phase, equipping students to become physicians who promote wellness for all communities.
Student Research
Research is a cornerstone of the medical education program, empowering students to conduct independent research under the guidance of experienced faculty. This includes:
- Area of Scholarly Concentration
- Research Intensive Scholarly Enterprise
- T35 Summer Program
Curriculum Phases
The curriculum is divided into three phases:
Phase 1: Years M1 & M2
Phase 1 includes the first 20 months of instruction, with 14 modules of varying lengths organized by organ systems. Each module contains all four elements of the curriculum, with a dominant focus on Science in Medicine.
Phase 2: Year M3
Phase 2 focuses on immersive clinical experiences via core clerkships, including:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Education-Centered Medical Homes
Phase 3: Year M4
The final phase focuses on advanced clinical rotations and professional development in the area of medicine chosen by the student. Rotations include:
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine (adult or pediatric)
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Subinternship: Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology or Pediatrics
- Education-Centered Medical Homes
More on Our Curriculum
Assessment & Competencies
The Feinberg School of Medicine has a competency-based education framework that explicitly defines curricular expectations and goals, as well as assessment standards.
Safe & Healthy Learning Environment
The school is committed to creating and sustaining a supportive environment for students.