Program Overview

M.D./Ph.D. Program Overview

The M.D./Ph.D. program at UT Southwestern Medical Center is designed to train students in both medicine and research, preparing them for careers as physician-scientists.

Application Timeline

• AMCAS application opens: May-July
• Applicants interviewed: August-January
• Final decisions sent to applicants: February
• M.D.-Ph.D. Admitted Students Weekend: March
• M.D.-Ph.D. program starts: May-July

Application Requirements

• Complete prerequisite courses
• Take the MCAT and Casper
• Apply via AMCAS
• Complete the secondary application
• Submit supporting documents to TMDSAS
• Participate in MSTP and Medical School interviews

Prerequisites for the MST Program

• Must hold at least a baccalaureate degree
• MCAT is required, but GRE is not
• International student applications are accepted, provided undergraduate studies were completed at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university
• Required coursework (identical to Medical School prerequisites)

Program FAQs

• What is your deadline? October 1 of each year
• Do you accept international students? Yes, provided they have completed their undergraduate studies at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university
• Do you allow coursework or degrees from non-U.S. colleges/universities to fulfill prerequisites? Foreign coursework will not count toward meeting any of the prerequisites, even if transfer credit has been assigned by a U.S. or Canadian school
• What are your program prerequisites? See Prerequisites for the MST Program
• How many letters of recommendation do you require? Three or more LOR's, including letters from all research mentors
• What makes a competitive candidate? Applications are reviewed holistically, with most successful applicants having a MCAT of 515 or higher, a GPA of 3.8 or higher, and prior research experience
• What are the chances of acceptance? Approximately 10 percent of applicants are accepted
• Is the GRE required? No
• What is the length of your program study? Students in the program average approximately eight years
• What financial supports are available for our students? All MSTP students receive a generous annual stipend and fully paid tuition throughout their years in the program
• Are applicants not accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. program considered for the M.D. program? Not automatically, applicants must also apply via TMDSAS

Financial Support

All MSTP students at UT Southwestern receive a nationally competitive stipend/research assistantship of $40,000 per year (2025) and fully paid tuition throughout their years in the program. Health insurance coverage for the student is provided at no expense for the duration of the student's enrollment in the Medical Scientist Training Program. Additional coverages are available for purchase through the University of Texas System Blue Cross Blue Shield plan during any benefits enrollment period.