The 3-year MD: Primary Care Accelerated Program (PCAP) is a rigorous program designed for students with a clear commitment to primary care. Developed by the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix in collaboration with local primary care residency partners, PCAP offers a unique, integrated path from undergraduate medical education (medical school) to graduate medical education (residency).
Program Launch: Spring 2026
Application Deadline: January 2026
First Cohort: From Class of 2029
Program Overview
PCAP compresses the traditional 4-year MD curriculum into three years while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence, clinical readiness, and accreditation compliance. Through close collaboration between undergraduate medical education (UME medical school) and graduate medical education (residency training), this pathway offers students an early and seamless transition into a primary care residency in Arizona. PCAP participants are part of the Primary Care Program at the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix.
Key Features
- 3-Year MD Curriculum
The curriculum involves accelerated and intensive learning experiences with a clear focus on primary care. Primary care specialties included in the program: Family Medicine, General Pediatrics, and General Internal Medicine. Foundational sciences, early clinical exposure, and longitudinal primary care experiences, including Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship in rural areas are integral parts of the curriculum. - Directed Residency Pathways
Students who meet performance benchmarks can transition into a partnering primary care residency program in Arizona upon graduation from medical school, using a modified and simplistic match process. - Close UME-GME Integration
Medical school and residency program faculty play an active role in student selection, education, mentorship, and assessment. - Personalized Active Learning (PAL) block
A dedicated PAL block at the end of the MS1 year, allows for in-depth faculty-student engagement, clinical readiness coaching, and residency program exposure. - Regular Formative Coaching
Students receive individualized support and feedback throughout the program to guide their development and readiness for residency. - Professional Identity Formation
Ongoing mentorship from both UME and GME faculty fosters a strong primary care identity from the beginning of medical school. - Structured Off-Ramps
Should a student or faculty determine that the accelerated path is no longer appropriate, a structured transition to the traditional 4-year MD track is available.
Who Should Apply?
- Students with a strong and sustained interest in family medicine, general internal medicine or general pediatrics.
- Applicants motivated to serve underserved communities, rural areas or vulnerable populations in Arizona.
- Those seeking an efficient, mission-driven pathway to clinical practice
Why PCAP?
- Accelerated entry into primary care practice: Allows you to complete your training and start practicing as a primary care doctor sooner. This is particularly beneficial if you are passionate about serving communities in need and want to make an immediate impact in primary care settings.
- Focused curriculum and early specialization: This program is a curriculum tailored to primary care from year one, providing you with targeted education and hands-on experience in primary care.
- Reduced debt burden: Accelerated programs reduce the total time spent in medical school, which can significantly lower the cost of tuition and living expenses. Additionally, our students pursuing primary care specialties may obtain scholarships to further alleviate debt burden/stress.
- Work directly with primary care mentors: Learn in clinical settings alongside dedicated physicians initiated in the first year of medical school. This hands-on experience allows you to actively contribute to patient care and support the health care needs of the community.