MD-PhD PROGRAM

The MD-PhD Program promotes the education of physician scientists through dual enrollment in the School of Graduate Studies and the School of Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport in a more efficient and productive sequence than could be otherwise accomplished. The integration of clinical studies and research throughout the program is designed to encourage graduates to pursue research and education in a clinical setting throughout their careers.

   

What Financial Support is Available?

Tuition Waivers: Students in the MD-PhD program will be provided with tuition waivers throughout their training.

  • During the first three years and the last year of the program, tuition and fee waivers will be provided by the School of Medicine.
  • During the period that students are in graduate school, a waiver will be provided by the School of Graduate Studies.

Stipends: MD-PhD students will receive a stipend of $32,000 throughout their training. 

   

What is the APPLICATION and ADMISSION PROCESS?

  • Applicants to the MD-PhD program will apply first to medical school at LSU Health Science Shreveport and will select the option for the MD-PhD program in their AMCAS application.
  • Applicants to the dual degree program who are selected for an interview by the Medical School Admissions Committee will also interview with the MD-PhD Admissions Committee. Admission to the MD-PhD program requires acceptance by both the MD and MD-PhD Admissions Committees.
  • Students who have matriculated into medical school also may apply for admission to the MD-PhD program, but no later than the end of the fourth semester of Medical School. The recommended cumulative grade point average (GPA) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score for acceptance into the MD-PhD program are 3.5 and 504, respectively.

   

PROGRAM STRUCTURE OVERVIEW

BEGIN - 3 YEARS

Students enter medical school in August and complete 18 months of preclinical course work, ending in April of their second year of medical school. The USMLE STEP 1 Exam is taken in May or June, followed by the third year of medical school (clinical clerkships).

CONTINUE - 3 to 4 YEARS

After completion of the USMLE STEP 2 Exam, students matriculate into the School of Graduate Studies to conduct their PhD research.

COMPLETE - 1 YEAR

Following successful defense of their PhD dissertation, students return to the clinic to complete their final year of clerkships.

   

Program Leadership

photo of Dr. Dedrick Jordan

J. Dedrick Jordan, MD, PhD, MSQM, MBA, FANA
MD-PhD Co-Director,
Professor and Chairman of Neurology
Dedrick.Jordan@lsuhs.edu

Dr. Kelly Tatchell, LSU Health Shreveport

Kelly Tatchell, PhD
MD-PhD Co-Director,
Interim Chairman and Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kelly.Tatchell@lsuhs.edu