Program Overview

Introduction to the Medical Scientist Training Program

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is a combined MD/PhD degree program that takes approximately seven to eight years to complete. The PhD thesis is usually defended during the fifth or sixth year, while the MD is awarded upon graduation from the program.

Curriculum Overview

The MSTP curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in both medical and scientific research. The program includes a combination of medical school courses, graduate school courses, and research rotations.

Year-By-Year Overview

Year 1

Entering students matriculate in early July and take the "Intro to MSTP" course and complete the first segment of the medical curriculum. The medical curriculum for MSTP students is almost identical to that for traditional medical students. Classes are generally held between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. MSTP students are expected to take a graduate course during the afternoon or do a research rotation.

Before Year 2

During the second summer, the MSTP student completes two consecutive research rotations (each 4-5 weeks long) or one long rotation of 8-10 weeks. Reports and evaluations are written following each of these. At least three rotations must be completed before a research lab can be chosen.

Year 2

The second year continues the preclinical medical curriculum and continues patient-based clinical experiences initiated in the first year. The day-to-day schedule is similar to that of the first year, and a graduate school course or research rotation is integrated into the afternoon schedule. Students may elect to take an additional research rotation instead of a graduate course.

PhD Years

The PhD phase consists of additional basic science graduate courses as well as the PhD research and thesis. Because MSTP students get graduate school credit for parts of the medical curriculum and complete two to three graduate courses during their first two years, they typically complete their graduate coursework, pass their qualifying examination, and are admitted formally to PhD candidacy during their third year in the program.

Clinical Years

During this time, the MSTP student rejoins the traditional medical students to complete his or her clinical clerkships. This is the primary clinical segment of the program. Because of state licensing requirements, students take a minimum of 18 months of clinical training before they graduate. The remaining time can be used to pursue additional electives that can include either extension of PhD research, other research projects, or clinical training.

Program Requirements

• The PhD thesis is usually defended during the fifth or sixth year.
• The MD is awarded upon graduation from the program.
• At least three research rotations must be completed before a research lab can be chosen.
• Students must complete their graduate coursework, pass their qualifying examination, and be admitted formally to PhD candidacy during their third year in the program.
• A minimum of 18 months of clinical training is required before graduation.

Research Opportunities

• MSTP students participate in the MSTP Clinical Tutorial, which consists of working with a clinical mentor one afternoon per week.
• The clinical area may be chosen to match the student's interests.
• Completion of one year of MSTP Clinical Tutorial results in two weeks of elective credit during the final year of medical school.
• One year of Clinical Tutorial is required; two years are recommended.

Thesis and Dissertation

• The MSTP student's research progress is periodically reviewed by a Thesis Committee.
• The Thesis Committee also decides when the experimental findings should be written for the thesis defense.
• The PhD degree is awarded if the student has at least one first-author manuscript and the examining committee finds the quality of research appropriate.
• Before approval, PhD dissertations are the basis for one or more manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals.
• CWRU MSTP students publish an average of three first-authored scientific papers and six total scientific papers.