Proceeding through the M.D.-Ph.D. Program at Dartmouth

The M.D.-Ph.D. Program at Dartmouth is organized to permit students to achieve the full potential of both degrees in an efficient and effective manner while also developing an understanding of the health care system as a whole.

Training Structure

There will be three major phases of training. Broadly stated, students will complete DMS years 1 and 2, then their Ph.D. graduate training, and finally DMS years 3 and 4. This is referred to here as a "2-P-2" structure. In somewhat more detail:

Phase

1. During the first two years, students will complete Dartmouth Medical School years 1 & 2, complete up to three eight week laboratory rotations, and choose their Ph.D. graduate program and thesis lab.
2. During the Ph.D. thesis phase, students will complete all requirements for their Ph.D. thesis program and participate in clinical tutorials.
3. Following completion of their thesis work, students will complete Dartmouth Medical School years 3 & 4. The fourth year curriculum will include a new training module whose purpose is to engage the M.D.-Ph.D. students in theoretical and practical aspects of translational clinical research.