Washington University offers a combined MD/PhD degree program that draws on the resources of the College of Arts & Sciences, the McKelvey School of Engineering, and the School of Medicine under the auspices of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). The purpose of the program is to train individuals in medicine and biomedical research to prepare them for careers as physician-scientists. The program was inaugurated in 1969, and it has since trained more physician-scientists than any program in the nation. More than 70% of the individuals who have completed this postgraduate training are now actively involved in research programs at leading institutions.

The program consists of three parts:

1. An enhanced MSTP thread integrated with the Phase 1 medical curriculum;
2. At least three years of original research in a medically relevant field to satisfy the requirements for the PhD degree; and
3. Core clinical clerkships (Phase 2) and advanced clinical electives (Phase 3).

Both the MD and PhD degrees are awarded upon the completion of the program. The MSTP curriculum is integrated to allow for the timely completion of training. Students typically complete their training in seven or eight years.

The program matriculates an average of 25 students per year, which is the equivalent of 25% of the entering School of Medicine class. All MSTP students receive financial support in the form of stipends (currently $37,000 per year), health coverage, disability and life insurance, reimbursement of qualifying daycare costs, and full tuition remission for both the MD and PhD phases of training. Individuals who are awarded an NIH National Research Service Award individual fellowship receive an additional $5,000 per year for the duration of the award.

Medical Scientist Training Program
Washington University School of Medicine
MSC 8226-0013-04
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110-1093
Phone: 314-362-7190
MSTP Website

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