MD-PhD Dual Degree
About the MD-PhD Program in Pharmacology & Physiology
The M.D.-Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Physiology is a dual doctorate program designed for students interested in careers as physician-scientists. Students will receive a top medical education combined with research training in laboratories of premier investigators at Georgetown University. The Ph.D. curriculum is tailored to complement the medical coursework.
M.D.-Ph.D. students enter the School of Medicine and complete the first 18 months of the preclinical medical curriculum prior to entering the Ph.D. program full time. A research rotation is conducted during the summer between the first and second years of medical school, with two additional rotations after entering the Ph.D. program full time.
M.D.-Ph.D. trainees in Pharmacology & Physiology are required to complete 21.5 credits in Ph.D. coursework (as compared to the 32.5 credits required for regular Ph.D. students) with the remaining credits absorbed from the medical coursework.
The requirement for 2 elective credits and the following core courses are waived: PBIO 501: Graduate Physiology (for Medical School Physiology) and PBIO 534: Cell and Molecular Physiology (for Medical School Biochemistry). While not required, M.D.-Ph.D. students can chose to take electives as appropriate for their degree plan.
Additional information about the M.D.-Ph.D. program, including application information can be found on the School of Medicine MD-PhD Program website. Note that only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for the M.D.-Ph.D. dual degree program.
MD-PhD Course Schedule
Year 1
Fall & Spring Semesters
MD-PhD students will be enrolled full-time in the regular medical curriculum for first-year medical students.
Summer Semester
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 985: Summer Lab Rotation | 0 |
| Total 0 Credits |
Year 2
Fall Semester
MD-PhD students will be enrolled full-time in the regular medical curriculum for second-year medical students.
Spring Semester
MD-PhD students will be officially enrolled in the Graduate School (not the medical school) and receive a stipend for the entire spring semester. However, they are not expected to actually begin their rotation until they have taken the USMLE STEP I board exam. MD-PhD students are required to take STEP I by the same deadline as students in the regular MD program.
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 987: Spring Lab Rotation | 0 |
| Total 0 Credits |
Summer Semester
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 985: Summer Lab Rotation | 0 |
| Total 0 Credits |
Year 3
Fall Semester
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| NSCI 505: Neuroscience Survey | 2 |
| NSCI 599: Practical Experimental Design and Statistics | 1.5 |
| PHAR 505: Advanced Pharmacology | 2 |
| PHAR 611: Principles of Pharmacology | 4 |
| PHAR 986: Fall Rotation | 0 |
| Total 9.5 Credits |
Spring Semester
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 612: Graduate Pharmacology and Physiology | 10 |
| NSCI 532: Survey Skills and Ethics for Science | 2 |
| PHAR 987: Spring Lab Rotation | 0 |
| Total 12 Credits |
Year 4+
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 999: Thesis Research | 0 |
| Total 0 Credits |