WashU Medicine offers a variety of degree programs to accommodate every student’s individual career goals. Our MD program is perennially considered to be among the very best in the nation.
Doctoral and combined degree programs
Although WashU Medicine no longer participates in U.S. News & World’s MD program rankings, the publication may continue to rank our MD program based on publicly available data.
Doctor of Medicine (MD) (four-year): The MD degree equips you for a career as a physician. In addition to medical knowledge and skills, our graduates possess qualities of personality — compassion, emotional stability and a responsible attitude — essential to an effective professional life.
Combined Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD): The Roy Vagelos Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) equips you for a career of scientific investigation combined with the practice of medicine. Apply to the MSTP when you submit your application to medical school or apply later to transfer into the program after you have spent time in medical school and feel comfortable with a commitment to a career that combines science and medicine.
Hear the former WashU MSTP Program Director, Brian Sullivan, on the All Access: Med School Admission Podcast. You’ll learn about the intricacies of the MSTP and what helps make a strong MSTP applicant.
The Combined Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (MD/PhD), offered jointly by WashU Medicine and the McKelvey School of Engineering, gives students in-depth training in modern biomedical research and clinical medicine. The typical MD/PhD career combines patient care and biomedical research but leans toward research.
Students pursuing the combined MD/PhD in biomedical engineering must complete the degree requirements for both schools. MD/PhD students typically complete the first two years of the medical school pre-clinical curriculum while performing one or more research rotations, then the remaining requirements for the doctoral degree, and finally the clinical training years of the medical degree.
The interdisciplinary MS in Biomedical Data Science and AI (previously the certificate programs in Biomedical Informatics) provides students with a competency-based training in core biomedical informatics theories and methods to address the fundamental shift health and life sciences are experiencing toward transdisciplinary, integrative and data-intensive approaches to research. These developments, coupled with the use of information technology platforms, are helping transform health care, achieving greater value alongside improved outcomes and safety. The complex data, information and knowledge needs associated with these changes requires a comprehensive approach to biomedical informatics research, education and practice.
Combined Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MD/MSCI): The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) is designed for young investigators committed to pursuing academic careers in clinical and translational research. This unique program combines didactic coursework, a mentored research thesis and career development opportunities. It provides students with the knowledge and tools to excel in the areas of clinical investigation most relevant to their careers. Multiple concentrations (i.e., Clinical Investigation, Translational Medicine, Genomics/Genetics, and Dissemination and Implementation) are available.
The Combined Doctor of Medicine and Master of Population Health Sciences (MD/MPHS) allows medical students to integrate clinical research training to their medical education, providing a strong foundation for career as physician-researchers. Students develop core competencies in leading, designing, interpreting, and applying research studies. This five-year combined degree program uses a population health research curriculum that includes clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, comparative effectiveness research, clinical outcomes, randomized control trials and a range of other electives. Students complete a research project (no thesis required), which also fulfills MPHS coursework requirements, creating an ideal balance of rigorous didactic training and hands-on research experience. As an alternative to the MPHS degree, students may elect to complete a Certificate in Clinical Effectiveness or a Certificate in Health Equity and Disparities.
Combined Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health (MD/MPH): WashU offers a five-year MD/MPH option in association with the nationally recognized Bursky School of Public Health. The MD/MPH program is designed to train physicians with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize, analyze and address health problems at a population-level. Students learn to identify the social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants of health, and they prepare to apply evidence-based approaches to disease prevention, health promotion and health policy. The degree requires MPH coursework and completion of an applied practice experience (practicum) and an independent capstone project. The MD/MPH track is not a joint acceptance program; rather, MD students apply to the MPH program as third-year students (phase 2 in the Gateway Curriculum).
Combined Doctor of Medicine and Master of Business Administration (MD/MBA): Have a passion for leadership or innovation in health care? The WashU MD/MBA program augments medical training with the knowledge and skills to both identify the most pressing problems and propose solutions that will make a difference beyond the bedside. Learn to make a meaningful difference for patients, partners, communities and the entire system. This program (one year, in addition to the MD curriculum) provides a valuable educational experience in mentorship, leadership, innovation, formal advising and integrated experiential learning opportunities that connect the skills of business with the mission of health care. A particular focus of the program is the integration of concepts across cultures and geographic boundaries. Financial support is available from several sources.
Linda Wu, DO, MBA, is the advisor for the program. Read more about innovation at WashU Medicine.
The Master of Science in Reproductive Sciences program is positioned within the Center for Reproductive Health Sciences (CRepHS) division of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. CRepHS aims to improve the overall health of women and men by making reproductive health a priority in investigative and translational science. CRepHS provides an infrastructure of core facilities and resources to support basic and translational research while facilitating collaborations across disciplines and institutions. Our program also utilizes the WashU Medicine Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center (FRMC) administered by the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The FRMC is an outstanding facility for a clinical embryologist to learn best practices and cutting-edge techniques in assisted reproductive technology.