PhD in Medicine in United States
The United States lists 24 PhD programmes in Medicine across 14 universities, including prestigious research institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Chicago, New York University, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. These doctoral programmes are designed for students pursuing careers in biomedical research, translational science, or academic medicine.
Tuition ranges from roughly €31,000 to €98,000 per year; however, many funded PhD positions cover tuition and provide a stipend in exchange for research or teaching responsibilities. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and California Baptist University are also represented. Applicants should actively seek funded positions through departmental fellowships and NIH training grants.
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program
The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program at NYU College of Dentistry is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and extensive clinical practice experience integrated with rigorous coursework. The program emphasizes the relationship between dentistry and overall health, preparing students for leadership roles in healthcare. With a strong foundation in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences, students gain practical skills through early clinical immersion and community outreach. The college, founded in 1865, is one of the largest dental schools in the U.S. and is committed to advancing dental medicine through research, innovative treatments, and serving a diverse patient population.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University is dedicated to training future healthcare leaders who will serve communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas of Washington. The program utilizes a distributive model, offering students clinical experiences across various hospitals and healthcare settings throughout the state. The college emphasizes community-based care and research that directly benefits communities. WSU Health is committed to transforming healthcare through education and research. The College of Medicine focuses on addressing community healthcare issues, promoting foundational discoveries, and engaging in community-informed research. Graduates are prepared to lead in addressing critical health needs.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at Touro College offers a comprehensive medical education that integrates foundational scientific knowledge with patient-centered care. This approach emphasizes treating the whole patient, considering biological, psychological, and environmental factors. In addition to standard medical training, DO students receive specialized instruction in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) techniques, focusing on the musculoskeletal system to promote healing and well-being. The program utilizes innovative educational technologies, including a "flipped classroom" model, to enhance student engagement and learning, dedicating in-person time to critical thinking and problem-solving.
Emergency Medicine Electives
The Emergency Medicine program at UCLA offers residents 20 weeks of elective time throughout their training. This dedicated period is designed to foster personal growth, allow for the exploration of specific interests, and prepare physicians for leadership roles in emergency medicine both domestically and internationally. Residents can choose from a wide array of existing electives or even develop their own, ensuring a tailored learning experience. Electives can be used to gain experience in subspecialties like Ultrasound, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, or Critical Care, preparing residents for competitive fellowships. Alternatively, residents pursuing community practice can use this time to develop leadership skills. The program emphasizes the value of this flexible elective time, combined with faculty mentorship, in building a strong foundation for a dynamic and multidimensional career in emergency medicine.
General Psychiatry Residency
The General Psychiatry Residency program at UC San Diego offers comprehensive training for physicians aspiring to become leaders in the field of psychiatry. Located in a vibrant Southern California setting, the program integrates clinical experience with research opportunities, preparing residents for diverse career paths in academic medicine, community practice, and beyond. The curriculum is designed to foster expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of mental health conditions across different patient populations and settings.
General Surgery Residency
The UPMC Horizon General Surgery Residency Program, established in 1973, is a five-year training program accredited by the ACGME since 2019. It aims to produce highly qualified general surgeons equipped for independent practice or further fellowship training. The program offers extensive surgical experience across community-based hospitals and tertiary care centers within the UPMC system, with residents primarily based at UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon Shenango Valley. Residents gain early responsibility for patient management, including pre- and post-operative care, and benefit from frequent intra-operative exposure to a wide range of cases (open, laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, endovascular). The curriculum includes formal educational sessions like didactic lectures, grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, and journal clubs. The program emphasizes a close-knit environment and provides access to specialized services at UPMC Presbyterian, Montefiore, and Hamot, ensuring a high-quality training experience with successful fellowship matches and career placements. Graduates are well-prepared for general surgery positions nationwide or for competitive fellowship training in areas such as Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Cardiothoracic Surgery.
General Surgery Residency Program
The General Surgery Residency Training Program at UPMC offers comprehensive surgical education for individuals pursuing a career in general surgery or a specialized surgical field. The program is structured to be adaptable to each resident's specific career goals, whether they aim for community practice or academic and research positions. It prioritizes in-depth training with increasing operative responsibility for a select group of residents, ensuring a high standard of patient care and fostering a strong sense of community and commitment among participants.
General Surgery Residency Program at UPMC in Central Pa.
The General Surgery Residency Program at UPMC in Central Pa. is a five-year program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). It is designed to provide residents with a comprehensive range of surgical opportunities and prepare them for certification by the American Board of Surgery. Located in Central Pennsylvania, the program features expert faculty and robust didactic activities to foster the development of surgical skills and professional growth as a physician.
Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship
This fellowship program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine trains physicians to become academic leaders in hematology and medical oncology. It provides comprehensive clinical and research experience, focusing on preparing fellows for careers in academic medicine. The program emphasizes developing strong clinical skills, conducting scholarly research, and fostering intellectual curiosity within a collaborative environment. Fellows are encouraged to balance clinical autonomy with structured learning and are supported in their personal and professional growth.
Junior Faculty Alumni - National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine (NCLAM)
The National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine (NCLAM) program, established in 1999, aims to foster leadership skills among junior faculty within Health Sciences at UC San Diego. The program has graduated 492 faculty members to date. Participants develop and complete a professional development project (PDP) with guidance from a senior mentor. Mentorship pairings are determined by recommendations from the participant and the NCLAM Leadership Council. The program showcases a diverse range of faculty interests across various departments.
MD Clerkship Year
The Clerkship Year, the second stage of the MD curriculum at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, spans 10 months and begins in August. This crucial period is dedicated to developing essential clinical judgment skills for diagnosing and treating patients through hands-on experience at NYU Langone and affiliated training sites. The program starts with a one-week "Transition to Clerkship" orientation in July to prepare students for the clinical environment and their roles within healthcare teams. Following this, students engage in core clerkships from August through May, interspersed with Integrated Clinical Skills sessions. Students rotate through seven core clerkship areas: ambulatory care, general surgery, neurology, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry. The curriculum includes a unique one-week neuropsychiatry integrated experience. Each clerkship block is 10 weeks long and includes four weeks dedicated to elective rotations, allowing students to explore specialty interests and begin career exploration. The program aims to provide comprehensive clinical training, preparing students for future medical practice and licensing exams.
MD Program
The Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami is dedicated to transforming healthcare through the education of exceptional students. The program offers an environment for discovery, research, advanced simulation, hands-on clinical experience, and community engagement. It aims to prepare students to become leaders in the future of medicine.
MD Program - Fundamentals Curriculum
The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University offers a unique pre-clinical curriculum in its MD program, known as the Fundamentals. This foundational phase is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the core scientific principles and diseases that underpin medical practice. The curriculum spans two years and integrates various subjects through lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
MD-PhD Program
The MD-PhD Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is designed to train physician-scientists who will lead the future of medicine. This National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) offers a highly personalized curriculum, allowing students to choose their own multidisciplinary training area and thesis research preceptor. The program integrates clinical experiences from the start, alongside rigorous scientific training. Students begin their training the summer before medical school with a laboratory rotation and a specialized course, 'Biomedical Science for MD-PhDs.' During the graduate school years, students conduct thesis research within one of eight available multidisciplinary training areas. Upon defending their thesis, they return to the medical school for the final two years of clinical rotations to complete both degrees. The program emphasizes advising as a crucial component for student success, offering resources and services to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.
Medical Science, DMSc (Online)
The online Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program at California Baptist University (CBU) is designed for working Physician Assistants (PAs) to enhance their clinical, professional, and research skills. The program requires 39 units of coursework and can be completed in either one or two years, depending on the student's schedule. Courses are delivered by CBU's full-time PA Studies faculty and experienced healthcare practitioners. The program's mission is to equip PAs with advanced knowledge and leadership skills to serve communities and further the healing ministry of Christ, preparing them to be thoughtful leaders and lifelong learners in medical science.
Neuromedicine PhD Program
The Neuromedicine PhD program at the Keck School of Medicine trains future researchers to investigate complex neurological and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. It offers a comprehensive curriculum and a strong interdisciplinary research environment, focusing on disease biology, data science, and traditional research methods. Students will explore genetic, molecular, cellular, and systems-level aspects of these conditions. The program also incorporates translational and clinical perspectives, preparing graduates to contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies for improved patient care.
PhD in Clinical Research
The PhD in Clinical Research at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is designed to provide students with advanced analytical and critical thinking skills for careers in clinical or translational science. The program offers a strong academic foundation combined with mentored research experiences to foster leadership abilities. Students will engage with faculty at the forefront of their fields and develop the skills to independently design, conduct, and publish impactful clinical studies. Graduates are prepared for roles in academia, government, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, digital health, and other health-related sectors. The program attracts exceptional candidates from diverse health professions, fostering a rich academic environment. It emphasizes excellence, innovation, and the advancement of global health. Students gain expertise through close collaboration with faculty and mentored dissertation research, preparing them to address significant challenges in societal health.
PhD in Clinical Research
Plastic Surgery Residency Program
The University of Chicago Medicine offers a six-year, ACGME-accredited integrated Plastic Surgery residency program. This program is designed for highly competitive fourth-year medical students who will enter as PGY-1 residents. The program aims to provide comprehensive training in all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Beginning in 2026, the program will accept four residents annually through the NRMP Match. The selection process involves a thorough review of all applications by an applicant selection committee, with interview invitations sent via email according to ACEPS guidelines. Interviews are conducted in person at the University of Chicago Medicine campus.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a PhD in Medicine cost in the United States?
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Listed tuition ranges from roughly €31,000 to €98,000 per year. However, many PhD programmes offer full funding (tuition waiver plus stipend) in exchange for research or teaching work — always check whether funding is available.
Which universities offer a PhD in Medicine in the United States?
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There are 14 universities in this catalogue, including Columbia University, the University of Chicago, New York University, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Can international students apply for a PhD in Medicine in the US?
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Yes, US medical and biomedical PhD programmes regularly accept international students. English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) and GRE scores are commonly required, along with strong research experience.
What are typical entry requirements for a PhD in Medicine in the US?
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Applicants typically need a relevant master's or bachelor's degree with strong academic performance, research experience, letters of recommendation, and GRE or MCAT scores depending on the programme.
How do I apply for a PhD in Medicine in the United States?
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Applications are submitted through each university's graduate admissions portal. Look for application cycles opening in September–October with December–January deadlines for autumn entry.