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?

Medical School Scholarships & Tuition: Scholarships and tuition waivers for applicants to the LSUHS School of Medicine are available (not guaranteed) for students who meet stated criteria.

   

What is the APPLICATION and ADMISSION PROCESS?

  • If you are interested in applying to the MD-PhD program, please contact Dr. Jason Bodily, the Dean of Graduate Studies, by email at jason.bodily@lsuhs.edu.
  • Applicants will first apply to medical school at LSU Health Shreveport.  Applicants who are accepted to the MD portion of the program will then be interviewed by 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.