Overview

We at the UCSD School of Medicine are dedicated to producing future leaders in all areas of medicine. As such, the School promotes the pursuit of dual degrees, either in the Medical School's own graduate degree programs or programs offered in other disciplines in the institution. Students who matriculate in the UCSD School of Medicine have the unique and exciting opportunity to pursue additional graduate training and an advanced degree through work in the College of Integrated Life Sciences (COILS).

Students should visit the Physician - Scientist Training site for additional information on combined programs.

In addition to the study of medicine, the School of Medicine actively encourages its student body to explore broadly in various scholarly areas related to the biomedical sciences. The goal of this additional training is to produce graduates who will bring fresh, innovative ideas to the research laboratory, the public health sector, the humanities and the social sciences, and the business environment.

Students may elect to obtain advanced degrees in the following areas:

• Biomedical Sciences: A combined M.D./Ph.D. program is available for those students planning a career in biomedical research. The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), funded by an NIH Training Grant, provides financial support to those students who enter a full-time research laboratory after their first two years of medical school. Following intensive research training, the students return to finish their clinical years. Most will then complete their residency training before embarking on a research career.
  
• Masters in Bioengineering: Students may take an additional year in the Department of Bioengineering, leading to a Master of Science or a Master of Engineering, as well as an M.D. This additional training is ideal for those interested in the design and application of new technologies in their chosen area of clinical focus.
  
• Masters in Public Health: The School of Medicine offers a combined M.D./M.P.H. for its students who wish to have additional training in, or pursue a career in public health or population study/epidemiology.
  
• Masters in Leadership of Health Care Organizations: A combined M.D./Masters Program is available for students who wish to learn more about the business and economic issues facing today’s physicians. This unique program is designed to enable physicians to provide leadership in the business aspects of medicine while still being clinical practitioners.
  
• Masters of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research: This innovative program is available for individuals interested in the design and execution of clinical trials, leading to a combined M.D./MAS with one additional year of training.
  
• Ph.D. Program in the Humanities and Social Sciences: The School of Medicine recognizes that many of its students have broad and diverse interests in fields related to medicine, such as anthropology, biomedical ethics and sociology. Flexible programs are available to allow students to pursue training in these disciplines at the Ph.D. level.
  
• Independent Ph.D. programs: Medical students may also opt to pursue advanced training leading to a M.A., M.S., or Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences independent of the Medical Scientist Training Program, or in any of the UCSD general campus science or engineering programs. These programs are individually developed for medical students on a case-by-case basis, and those interested should request additional information from appropriate departments and faculty.

Opportunities for enrollment in research or degree programs outside of UCSD are also available, and students are encouraged to investigate these, if interested.