MD/PhD Program

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta offers the MD/PhD program as one option within its opportunities for medical research education. This program allows students to obtain both the MD degree and a PhD degree and prepares them for a career as a clinician-scientist. Please note that to enter the MD/PhD program, admittance to the MD program must have already been gained.

Acceptance into the MD/PhD program is contingent upon the approval of the MD/PhD Committee, and on the student obtaining funding (i.e., a graduate studentship or supervisors support). The MD/PhD Committee evaluates all applications, specifically the student's academic record, his/her previous research experience, and the details of the proposed program (including the proposed supervisor and project description).

The MD/PhD program is intended for exceptional students who are seriously committed to a career in medical research. The PhD typically takes four to six years (depending on department) to complete in addition to the four years required to complete the MD degree.

The format of the program is for the student to complete the first two years of the MD program, transfer into a PhD program, and when the PhD is completed return to the final two years of the MD program.

Three routes of entry to the MD/PhD program are possible (please refer to the diagram)

  1. Students can enter from the pre-professional medical program (minimum of two years required, preferably three)
  2. Students can enter with a Bachelor's degree
  3. Students can transfer from a graduate program (either Masters of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))

Students entering medical school from a pre-professional medical or Bachelor's program, and who are interested in applying to the MD/PhD program, should advise of their intention to apply by December 15 of their second year of medical school or sooner if possible. The complete application packages should be received by Jan. 15 of the following month. For these students, acceptance into the program officially occurs after completion of the second year of medicine. Alternately, students who are transferring into medical school from a U of A graduate program can be enrolled immediately as Provisional MD/PhD students. These latter students should contact Dr. Ken Butcher, Chair of the MD/PhD Committee, as soon as they have been notified of their acceptance into the MD program. Note that AHFMR MD/PhD funding is not provided in MD Years 1 and 2, even if the student enters from a graduate program with an AHFMR studentship in hand; but the studentship can fund the summers between MD Years 1 and 2, and it resumes after the student has completed MD Year 2 and is back full-time at research.

Students will ordinarily apply to AHFMR for a MD/PhD Studentship Award. If successful, this award is offered for an initial 24-month term, and is eligible for renewal for a total of six years. This funding will cover the PhD portion of the program plus one or two of the final years of the MD program, depending on how long it takes to complete the PhD. Alternatively, during the PhD portion of their studies students may be funded by other external or internal awards, although these would, in contrast to the AHFMR, not necessarily cover either of the final two years of the MD program. All MD/PhD students holding an AHFMR studentship will receive a 15% top-up from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in all years that they hold the award, unless the students are recipients of other independent awards.

For further information on the MD/PhD program, please contact Janis Davis at 780.492.9721.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about the MD/PhD Program

MD/PhD Program Application Package

Questionnaire for Prospective MD/PhD Students

Pathways to MD/PhD flowchart (PDF, 912 KB)