Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Research

The Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Research program provides currently enrolled medical students with the opportunity to acquire core competencies in clinical research, preparing future physicians to advance new knowledge. Most students will complete the combined degree in 5 years.

Curriculum

Year 1, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

MDCOR711	Clinical Skills I	3
MDCOR720	Foundations of Health	8
MDCOR722	Foundations of Disease	8
MDCOR725	Cardiovascular System	9
Semester Total		28

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

MDCOR712	Clinical Skills II	3
MDCOR727	Respiratory/Renal Systems	7
MDCOR728	Gastrointestinal	9
MDCOR731	Reproductive/Endocrine System	8
IP711	IP Foundations & TeamSTEPPS	1
Semester Total		28

Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

MDCOR713	Clinical Skills III	3
MDCOR733	Women and Pediatric Health	5
MDCOR735	Ethics and Biostatistics	5
MDCOR736	Autoimmunity and Hematology	3.5
Semester Total		16.5

Year 2, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

MDCOR714	Clinical Skills IV	3
MDCOR739	Sensory and Motor Systems	13
MDCOR741	Special Senses and Cognition	8
MDCOR742	Behavioral & Geriatric Health	4.5
IP###	IP Concentration Course	1
Semester Total		29.5

Year 2, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

MDCOR750	USMLE Step 1 Board Review	2
Semester Total		2

Year 2, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

MDCOR866	Transition to Clinical Medicine	1
CLRK	Clerkship* (6-weeks)	12
CLRK	Clerkship* (6-weeks)	12
Semester Total		25

Year 3, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

MDCOR853	Ethics in Clinical Care 3A	1
MDCOR827	Geriatric Medicine 3A	0.5
MDCOR835	Topics in Clinical Medicine	1
CLRK	Clerkship* (8-weeks)	10
SLCT	Selective (2-weeks)	2.5
SLCT	Selective (2-weeks)	2.5
Semester Total		17.5

Year 3, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

MDCOR854	Ethics in Clinical Care 3B	1
MDCOR873	Geriatric Medicine 3B	0.5
CLRK	Clerkship* (6-weeks)	8
CLRK	Clerkship* (6-weeks)	8
CLRK	Clerkship* (6-weeks)	8
Semester Total		25.5

Year 3, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

MDCOR865	Clinical Competency Exam 3	1
Semester Total		1

Year 4, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

MCR700	Clinical Biostatistics	3
MCR775	Clinical Research Training	1
MCR736	Clinical Epidemiology	3
MCR770	Contemporary Topics Seminar	1
MCR750	Ethical Issues in Clinical Reserach	1
MCR970	Research	2
MCR731	Critical Review	2
Semester Total		13

Year 4, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

MCR724	Introduction to Clinical Trials	3
MCR746	Informatics and Data Management	2
MCR752	Team Science in Clinical Research	1
MCR771	Regression Analysis	2
MCR777	Introduction to Grant Writing	1
MCR732	Comparative Effectiveness Reseach	3
MCR970	Research	3
Semester Total		15

Year 4, Summer

MCR789, IP738	Core Clinical Research Training, or IP Elective	1
MCR772	Community Engagement Research	1
MCR773	Industry/Regulatory	2
MCR774	Leadership	2
MCR970	Research	4
ELEC	Clinical Care Elective (4-weeks)	5
XTRN	Externship (4-weeks)	5
Semester Total		20

Year 5, Fall

MDCOR859	Ethics in Clinical Care 4A	1
EMED822	Essentials of Emergency Medicine	2.5
ELEC	Electivs (20-weeks)	15
Semester Total		18.5

Year 5, Spring

MDCOR862	Ethics in Clinical Care 4B	1
MDCOR874	Geriatric Medicine 4	1
MDCOR626	Internship 101	2.5
ELEC	Electives (12-weeks)	15
Semester Total		19.5

MD Credit Hour Total		233
MSCR Credit Hour Total		38
Curriculum Total		271

* All third-year students are required to take seven clerkships in the following disciplines. These clerkships may be completed in any sequence over Summer, Fall and Spring of Year 3.

• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine
• OB/GYN
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Surgery

With approval from the academic advisor, a student who enrolls in the combined degree program in the spring semester of year one of medical school (i.e., the earliest entry point) could be permitted to complete MSCR coursework concurrently with the MD degree curriculum (38 credit hours completed over 11 semesters). While the majority of the MSCR curriculum is still completed in year 4 (fall, spring), this curriculum plan provides advantages for students who wish to engage in research earlier in the program in order to increase competitiveness for application to residency programs.