Standards for Maintaining Satisfactory Progress

To maintain satisfactory progress in the MD-PhD Program, students must fulfill all of the following expectations:

MD Program Requirements

• Maintain Satisfactory Progress per the MD program standards (Note: modified progression policy for MSTP students is pending)

PhD Program Requirements

• Maintain Satisfactory Progress per the PhD program standards

• Matriculate full-time and maintain continuous enrollment each term through degree completion

• Register on time each term and submit registration and documentation memos promptly

• Maintain a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0 in PhD coursework, including:

  • Biomedical Sciences for MD-PhD

  • An approved biostatistics course

• Complete at least 14 letter-graded credits of coursework (see Requirements to Graduate)

• Demonstrate potential for research via timely:

  • Lab selection

  • Dissertation advisor and training area designation

  • Rotation progress

• Submit Laboratory Rotation Forms on time for each rotation:

  • Laboratory Rotation Agreement Form

• Form a full Advisory Committee within 3 months of starting in lab

  • Meet with this committee at least once per semester

  • Submit the Advisory Committee Meeting form after each meeting

• Complete the Thesis Proposal Exam:

  • By the end of the 4th semester (GSBS requirement)

  • By the end of the 6th semester (MD-PhD tracking milestone)

• Conduct research resulting in a thesis with new findings, presented and defended

• Generate data equivalent to a first-author manuscript in a high-quality, peer-reviewed journal

  • Submission or acceptance of the manuscript is not required

• Defend the dissertation and revise within:

  • 5 weeks (minor or no revisions)

  • 8 weeks (major revisions)

• Deposit the approved dissertation via ProQuest within the Program time limits:

  • By June 30 of the seventh year in the program (GSBS)

  • Within five years of the Thesis Proposal

• Enroll in journal clubs, seminars, and works-in-progress as required by the MTA

• Participate in required MSTP programming, including:

  • Annual MSTP Retreat (with abstract/presentation as applicable)

  • MSTP TREK

  • Horizons

  • Medical Scientist Grand Rounds (MSGR)

Milestone Management

• Reach and pass all required Program Milestones:

  • MSTP Milestones for ASCEND
  • MSTP Milestones for Legacy
• Submit registration and documentation memos on time

Transitioning Between MD and PhD Phases

• Complete USMLE Step 1 before beginning PhD research phase

• Submit the Intent to Return to MD Curriculum Form by February 1 prior to clinical re-entry

  • Submit the Modification Form if plans change

• Participate in the MD-PhD Clinical Refresher Course during the final spring of PhD training

• Complete all GSBS dissertation defense and deposit (and graduation requirements) prior to clerkship return

• Complete the MSTP Graduation Exit Survey

Program Duration

• Complete both MD and PhD degrees within 10 years

• No more than 5 years between Thesis Proposal and Defense (Time to Degree Policy)

If Academic Progress is in Jeopardy

If a dissertation advisor is dissatisfied with a student's academic progress:

1. Document concerns and discuss with the student, establishing a correction plan

2. If needed, engage in mediation with the MTA Director and Advisory Committee

3. If unresolved, escalate to the Dean or Senior Associate Dean

4. Probation may be imposed for up to one semester

5. Continued issues post-probation may lead to review by the Committee for Academic Review, which may recommend dismissal