Typical timeline
The average time-to-degree is eight years. Most students enroll for two years of medical school, followed by four or five years completing the PhD, and then a final year of medical school.
Year 1; Medical School, Core Basic Science Year
Year 2; Medical School, Core Clinical Science Year
Years 3, 4, 5, 6; Graduate School, PhD research
Final year; Medical School, Elective Clinical Science Year
Early-research timeline
Some students enter medical school with well-defined research interest and, if aligned with their goals, may begin the PhD at the start of their second year. These students complete the final two years of medical school after the PhD, with no expected impact on the total time to degree.
Year 1; Medical School, Core Basic Science Year
Years 2, 3, 4, 5; Graduate School, PhD research
Year 6; Medical School, Core Clinical Science Year
Year 7; Medical School, Elective Clinical Science Year
Alternative timeline
The program may also admit a small number of DukeMed MD students who have discovered a keen interest in a research career. These students have already completed two years of the DukeMed MD curriculum prior to entering MSTP.
Years 1, 2, 3, 4; Graduate School, PhD research
Final year; Medical School, Elective Clinical Science Year