Tulane refers to combined MD/PhD degrees as Physician/Scientist Programs. The primary aim of the Physician/Scientist Program (P/SP) is to provide an integrated learning environment that supports the development of physicians committed to the advancement of the medical sciences. Students will acquire the necessary skills to become both sound clinicians and accomplished scientists. More importantly, the P/SP is intended to promote a view of medicine and science as unified endeavors rather than distinct disciplines.
There are two types of P/SP programs, P/SP A and P/SP B.
P/SP A
Students apply to the P/SP A program prior to acceptance into either Medical School or the PhD program. Acceptance into the P/SP A program means acceptance into both Medical School and the PhD program. Both Medical School tuition and Biomedical Sciences PhD tuition is waived. Students also receive a stipend for the duration of the program. Only two students are selected per year.
P/SP B
Current Medical School Students in their first two years can apply to the P/SP B program. Students accepted into the P/SP B program receive a tuition waiver for the PhD part of the program and stipends for the duration of the program. They do not receive medical school tuition waivers. Medical Students usually apply for the P/SP B program in their 2nd year of medical school. Contact the BMS program office for details. BMS@tulane.edu.
The P/SP is designed to take a total of 7 to 8 years. P/SP A students will begin their first laboratory rotation the summer before entering medical school. After the first year of medical school classes, student will complete a second rotation. After completing the first two years of medical school and Step I of the USMLE, P/SP students will begin their Ph.D. training. Ideally, the Ph.D. portion should take 3 – 3½ years. Once the Ph.D. has been completed, the students resume and complete their 3rd and 4th year of medical school and graduate with a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree.
