Applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. may apply directly to the dual degree program before or after matriculation to medical school. For those interested in broadening their expertise, the M.D./MPH and M.D./MBA programs allow you to apply after starting medical school. These programs are designed to enhance your career opportunities and equip you with a versatile skill set for the evolving health care landscape.
Students in the M.D./Ph.D. program at UNR Med will gain dual expertise in biomedical research and clinical medicine, equipping them to lead and conduct research focused on the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Graduates will earn a dual degree, ready to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.
The program is designed to be completed in six to seven years, offering individualized curricular planning to ensure a comprehensive and integrated educational experience. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum that combines all components of the M.D. program — such as USMLE Step examinations and clinical skills training — with the requirements of the Ph.D. program, including coursework, a comprehensive exam, and laboratory-based dissertation research. The program begins with two years of didactic medical education and the USMLE Step 1, followed by graduate coursework and research.
Students in the M.D./Ph.D. program are guaranteed funding for three years through Graduate Research Assistantships, with the opportunity to apply for additional scholarships from both UNR Med and the graduate program. While on this assistantship, you will primarily focus on dissertation research in the lab under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Expect to be actively involved in conducting studies, analyzing data, attending scientific conferences and publishing papers.
The M.D./MPH degree combination offers specialized tracks in:
The School of Public Health and UNR Med offer students the opportunity to pursue combined M.D./MPH degrees. The degree combination integrates the two areas of study and allows for 3 credits to count toward both degrees. M.D./MPH students may complete the training for the MPH degree between their second and third or third and fourth years of medical school.
This degree combination is designed to prepare students for impactful careers in prevention, research and population-based community health. The MPH in Epidemiology is designed for students seeking to acquire skills in the fundamental methods of disease investigation and prevention in large populations. The Health Administration and Policy specialization prepares students for careers in public health leadership roles, with a focus on health care systems management, finance and the policy and legislative implications for public health problems and population health. The Social and Behavioral Health specialization is designed for students interested in health promotion, education and the prevention and reduction of health disparities throughout the life course. This is not a formally integrated M.D. and MPH dual-degree program, as students must apply to and be admitted into each program independently and students are typically enrolled in only one program at a time.
Students interested in health care administration and policy have the opportunity to pursue a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) alongside their medical degree. Offered in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business, this program provides a unique blend of medical and business training.
The dual degree program is tailored to each student's career goals, with personalized guidance from both MBA and M.D. faculty. Students complete the first two years of medical school before entering the MBA program, which can typically be finished in one year. They then return to complete their final two years of medical training. This streamlined MBA program is designed to be cost-effective and time-efficient, with selected elective credits in the fourth year of medical school counting towards both degrees.
This integrated degree is ideal for those aiming for leadership roles in medical practices, government agencies, health care companies, or research and pharmaceutical firms.