Both programs go through similar review processes a primary application, a secondary application, a pre-interview review, Multiple Mini Interviews, and a post-interview Admissions Committee review. The PhD program will require research experience and an additional interview with the PhD faculty and staff.
For more information on the specific difference, please contact the Admissions and Student Services team at @email
Candidates who are applying to the MD/PhD program are only eligible for admission to that program. If you are denied to one program, you may not switch to the other program to apply for admission. Program designation switches must be done through AMCAS prior to submitting a secondary application.
Seven to eight years, including the MD and MD/PhD curricula.
- Medical School 1&2 – During the first two years, the student enters the MD curriculum, including the pre-clerkship organ system-based blocks, capstones, doctoring, and clinical experiences. Time devoted to the Scholarly Project curriculum during these years may be used to support research rotations and preparation for future PhD research.
- PhD – The MD/PhD Program years begin after USMLE Step 1 has been completed at the end of the second year of medical school. During this period, MD/PhD students take graduate coursework along with seminars, professional development curricula, and research credits. A sample plan of study for the MD/PhD Program in Clinical Translational Sciences is available here.
- Medical School 3&4 – After the PhD is complete, students re-enter their third and fourth year of medical school to complete their clinical clerkships, including medicine, pediatrics, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and others.
Yes. There is an application process for those students who are in their second year of medical school to apply to the program.
International students are not eligible for admission to the program at this time. Applicants must be United State citizens or permanent residents.
Transfer students are not eligible for admission to the program at this time
No. You will complete the AMCAS application, select the MD/PhD dual-degree option and complete one additional secondary question regarding your specific interest in this program and research experiences. During the second year of medical school, students will apply to The Clinical Translational Sciences PhD program.
The MCAT is the only standardized examination score that must be submitted with your application.
MD/PhD students are funded by the program throughout their years at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. MD/PhD students’ tuition and salary are supported by the College of Medicine – Phoenix during their medical training years (MS 1-4). Typically, tuition and salary during the PhD years are supported by the student’s mentor or by the PhD Program.
PhD studies in the Clinical Translational Sciences (CTS) program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix are extremely flexible. In addition to a core curriculum, CTS coursework is related to your area of clinical interest, translational research area, or health-related discipline.
Additional information is available at Graduate Programs Page or Clinical Translational Sciences website.