This policy supplements the institutional MD Program Progression Policy by outlining requirements specific to students in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). It governs progression through the triphasic MD curriculum and the integrated PhD phase. Key distinctions include MSTP-specific milestones, earlier timing of USMLE Step 1, and structured reviews at each phase transition.
Progression decisions are made through coordinated review by the Promotions Committee, MSTP leadership, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, based on academic performance, research progress, professionalism, and adherence to program expectations. Students in good standing who meet defined benchmarks will be approved for advancement.
To progress to Phase 2, MSTP students must meet all requirements of the institutional MD Program Progression Policy (link) and fulfill the following MSTP-specific criteria:
Mentor/MTA Declaration Form Students must identify and be approved for a thesis mentor after completing MSTP-approved lab rotations. The must be submitted by December 1 of M2 year. Approval requires review by MSTP leadership and the Graduate School. Failure to meet this deadline may delay Phase 2 entry.
USMLE Step 1 (Accelerated MSTP Timeline) MSTP students must take Step 1 before beginning clerkships and must pass Step 1 before starting the PhD phase.
Final deadline to pass Step 1 is July 1 of the year in which the PhD phase begins.
Remediation Protocol:
Students who have not taken Step 1 by the first clerkship block will:
Be placed in a structured remediation period
Enroll in the Exam Preparation elective
MSTP students must complete three clerkship blocks in the ASCEND Phase 2 curriculum before beginning the PhD phase.
The final block concludes after six weeks of Rotation 3, followed by a two-week vacation
Students begin full-time research on August 1
Reentry to clerkships occurs during CAMP, prior to Rotation 4 in the year of return, aligning students with the ASCEND MD curriculum.
Deviations from this timeline (e.g., incomplete clerkships) require review by the Promotions Committee and may result in deferral to the following year’s Phase 2 cycle. Exceptions are granted only under formally approved academic or personal circumstances.
MSTP students returning from the PhD phase must meet Graduate School requirements for PhD completion and MSTP-specific timelines for eligibility to return to the MD curriculum.
MSTP students must:
Re-enter the MD curriculum according to curriculum track:
Legacy MSTP students (matriculated prior to implementation of the ASCEND curriculum) will re-enter in Clerkship Block 3, with re-entry occurring at the end of May, consistent with the legacy clerkship sequence.
ASCEND MSTP students (matriculated under the ASCEND curriculum and who completed required clerkship blocks prior to the PhD phase) will re-enter in Clerkship Block 4, beginning in July, in order to resume the clerkship sequence at the point at which it was paused prior to the PhD phase.
Failure to submit required forms or to meet MSTP eligibility timelines for return may result in removal from the MD roster for the upcoming academic year, regardless of anticipated PhD degree conferral timing.
To progress to Phase 3, MSTP students must meet all institutional requirements:
Successful completion of all required clerkships
Completion of THINQ and Phase 2 PEAKS assessment
Adherence to MD Program Technical Standards
There are no additional MSTP-specific criteria for advancement to Phase 3.
To graduate, MSTP students must:
Complete all MD requirements, including:
Required clerkships and electives
Transition to Residency curriculum
The Office of Curricular Affairs (OCA) tracks MD curriculum completion and submits academic records to the Office of Assessment and Evaluation (OAE)
MSTP leadership monitors laboratory rotations, mentor selection, dissertation progress, and timeline planning
The Graduate School confirms fulfillment of PhD requirements
If a student fails to meet MD, PhD, or MSTP requirements:
A structured remediation plan will be developed in collaboration with MSTP advising
Interventions may include:
Additional lab rotations
MSTP leadership prepares rosters of eligible students for:
Advancement to Phase 2
Exit to the PhD phase
Students are required to complete a NBME practice exam by January 1 of M2 year.
Receive regular oversight from MSTP leadership and Student Affairs
Students unable to pass Step 1 by the end of that period:
May transition to the second clerkship rotation block and enter the PhD phase, but may not use research time for Step 1 preparation
Must submit a formal Step 1 completion plan
May be referred to the Promotions Committee, which may recommend remediation resources, timeline adjustments, leave of absence, academic probation, or dismissal
Submit the Intent to Return to MD Curriculum Form by September 1 of the academic year prior to return. Any changes to a previously submitted intent must be made via the Modification of Intent to Return to MD Curriculum Form (https://mountsinai.formstack.com/workflows/md_phd_modification_of_intent_to_return) by April 15.
Fulfill Graduate School requirements for PhD completion, including:
Application for degree conferral through the Registrar (March 1 for May conferral or August 1 for September conferral)
Successful dissertation defense (April 1 for spring re-entry) https://ismms-gs.gitbook.io/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-2-1/md-phd-program/program-policies/dissertation-defense
Completion of all required post-defense revisions
Dissertation deposit:
By April 15 to be eligible for May degree conferral, or
By May 15 to meet MSTP internal timelines for return to the MD curriculum (with degree conferral in September)
Resolution of all Graduate School administrative requirements and receipt of Graduate School clearance. Degree conferral follows institutional Registrar deadlines and is distinct from MSTP timelines for return to the MD curriculum.
Receive clearance from the Graduate School, MSTP leadership, and the Promotions Committee, based on academic standing, completion of required milestones, and adherence to institutional and program-specific timelines.
Address any outstanding MD curriculum requirements, such as USMLE Step 1 or incomplete clerkships, through a formal remediation plan developed in coordination with Student Affairs and MSTP leadership.
Compliance with MD Program Technical Standards
Provide documentation of PhD completion, including:
Successful defense
Formal dissertation deposit
Confirmation of conferral by the Graduate School per the
Adjustments to research or clinical timelines
Institutional MD and PhD remediation policies will apply, with MSTP-specific considerations incorporated through joint review by the Promotions Committee, Student Affairs, MSTP leadership, and the Graduate School
Institutional remediation policies for the MD or PhD curriculum will apply, and MSTP-specific considerations will be addressed through a joint review process involving the:
Promotions Committee
Office of Student Affairs
MSTP Leadership
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Committee on Academic Review (CAR)
Academic standing, professionalism, and technical standards are reviewed jointly by Student Affairs and MSTP leadership
The Promotions Committee meets annually and as needed to approve progression
Students will be formally notified if not approved for progression; in the absence of notification, students may assume they are in good standing
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 (Note: modified progression policy for MSTP students is pending)
PhD Program Requirements
The MSTP curriculum at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai integrates the core requirements of both the MD and PhD programs, along with MSTP-specific activities designed to support the development of physician-scientist competencies.
MD Program Requirements
Students follow either the Legacy Curriculum (for cohorts matriculated prior to 2024) or the ASCEND Curriculum (2024 onward), each with defined policies for academic standing, graduation, progression, remediation, and completion of licensing exams (USMLE Step 1 and Step 2). MSTP-specific modifications to the ASCEND progression and exam policies ensure alignment with dual-degree training timelines.
Requirements to Graduate
MD-PhD students at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai must fulfill the full set of graduation requirements for both the MD and PhD degrees, as well as complete MSTP-specific training activities that promote physician-scientist development across research, clinical, and professional domains.
MD-PhD students must meet all requirements set by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) for awarding the PhD. The full list of degree requirements is available .
PhD Program Requirements
Students must satisfy all graduate school academic requirements, including coursework, dissertation research, thesis proposal defense, and dissertation deposit. Progress is monitored through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences standards for academic standing, satisfactory progress, and professionalism.
MD-PhD Program Requirements In addition to completing MD and PhD milestones, MSTP students must participate in program-specific training activities that foster research excellence, clinical readiness, leadership, and career development:
MSTP TREK Academy (orientation and early professional development)
MSTP Survival Skills
Leadership Colloquium (skills-building series)
iBiology Build Your Research Community
MSTP Networking/TREKTracker (research community development)
Biomedical Sciences (BMS) for MD-PhD (graduate coursework aligned with MD curriculum)
MSTP Horizons (career planning and transitions support)
Annual MD-PhD Retreat (community building and research presentations)
Medical Scientist Grand Rounds (MSGR) (clinical-research integration seminars)
MSTP Individual Development Plan (IDP) (annual career planning and mentoring reviews)
Transition Activities (Transition from MD to PhD, Mentor-Mentee Compact, Transition from PhD to MD)
Clinical Skills Maintenance (MD-PhD Clinical Refresher during PhD phase)
MSTP Graduation Exit Survey (program feedback and outcomes tracking)
This integrated curriculum ensures that MSTP students are fully prepared for leadership roles in biomedical research and clinical medicine, while maintaining rigorous standards across both degree pathways.
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:
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:
Document concerns and discuss with the student, establishing a correction plan
If needed, engage in mediation with the MTA Director and Advisory Committee
If unresolved, escalate to the Dean or Senior Associate Dean
Probation may be imposed for up to one semester
Continued issues post-probation may lead to review by the Committee for Academic Review, which may recommend dismissal
MD-PhD students must also meet all MD graduation requirements established by the MD Program and approved by the Executive Oversight Committee (EOC). These include successful completion of coursework, clerkships, electives, licensing exams, and scholarly activities. The full policy is available here.
In addition to meeting the full MD and PhD requirements, MSTP students must complete the following program-specific activities, designed to support longitudinal development as physician-scientists:
MSTP TREK Academy
TREKTracker Completion
MSTP Survival Skills
MSTP Leadership Colloquium
iBiology Build Your Research Community
Biomedical Sciences for MD-PhD
MSTP Laboratory Rotation
MSTP Horizons
Annual MD-PhD Retreat
Medical Scientist Grand Rounds (MSGR)
Annual MSTP Individual Development Plan (IDP)
Mentor-Mentee Compact
Clinical Refresher Course
MSTP Graduation Exit Survey (required for program completion)
Verification of Graduation Eligibility
The MD Registrar’s Office and Graduate School administrative offices will verify the completion of all degree requirements before graduation is confirmed.
The MSTP ensures that all students are carefully supported through each phase of degree completion to meet the standards for conferral of the MD and PhD degrees.