jd vs md vs phd

• PhD vs MD – Differences explained
• Types of Doctorates

A MD is a Doctor of Medicine, whilst a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy. A MD program focuses on the application of medicine to diagnose and treat patients. A PhD program research focuses on research (in any field) to expand knowledge.

Introduction

This article will outline the key differences between a MD and a PhD. If you are unsure of which degree is suitable for you, then read on to find out the focuses and typical career paths of both. Please note this article has been written for the perspective of a US audience.

What is a MD?

MD (also seen stylized as M.D and M.D.) comes from the Latin term Medicīnae Doctor and denotes a Doctor of Medicine.

MDs practice allopathic medicine (they use modern medicine to treat symptoms and diseases). A common example would be your physician, though there are numerous types of medical doctors, with different areas of speciality and as such may be referred to differently.

What is a PhD?

A PhD (sometimes seen stylized as Ph.D.) comes from the Latin term Philosophiae Doctor and denotes a Doctor of Philosophy.

A PhD can be awarded for carrying out original research in any field, not just medicine. In comparison to an MD, a PhD in a Medicinal field is focused on finding out new knowledge, as opposed to applying current knowledge.

A PhD in Medicine therefore does not require you to attend medical school or complete a residency program. Instead, you are required to produce a thesis (which summarizes your research findings) and defend your work in an oral examination.

What is the difference between a MD and a PhD?

Both are Doctoral Degrees, and someone with either degree can be referred to as a doctor. But for clarity, MDs are awarded to those with expertise in practicing medicine and are therefore more likely to be found in clinical environments. PhDs are awarded to researchers, and are therefore more likely to be found in academic environments.

This does not mean that MDs cannot pursue a research career, nor does it mean that a PhD cannot pursue clinical practice. It does mean, however, that PhDs are more suited to those who would wish to pursue a career in research, and that MDs are more suited to those who prefer the clinical aspects of medicine or aspire to become a practicing physician.

It should also be noted that a medical PhD doctorates possess transferable skills which make them desirable to various employers. Their familiarity with the scientific method and research experience makes them well suited to industry work beyond medical research.

Program structure and time

The standard MD program structure sees students undertake 2 years of coursework and classroom-based learning, before undertaking 2 years of rotational work in a clinical environment (such as a hospital). Getting an MD requires attending a medical school (accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education) and completing a residency program. Both of which prepare students to diagnose patients and practice clinical medicine.

The standard PhD program lasts 5 to 7 years and sees students undertake original research (monitored by a supervisor). Getting a PhD requires the contribution of novel findings, which leads to the advancement of knowledge within your field of research. With the exception of some clinical PhDs, a PhD alone is not enough to be able to prescribe medicine.

PhD doctorates are required to summarize the purpose, methodology, findings and significance of their research in a thesis. The final step is the ‘ Viva Voce ’ where the student must defend their thesis to a panel of examiners.

To summarize, a MD program usually lasts 4 years, whilst a PhD program lasts 5 to 7 years. Before being licensed to practice medicine, however, you must first complete a residency program which can last between 3 to 7 years.

What is a MD/PhD?

A MD/PhD is a dual doctoral degree. The program alternates between clinical focused learning and research focused work. This is ideal for those who are interested in both aspects of medicine. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, an estimated 600 students matriculate into MD-PhD programs each year .

The typical length of a MD/PhD program is 7 to 8 years, almost twice the length of a MD alone. As with a MD, MD/PhDs are still required to attend medical school and must complete a residency program before being able to practice medicine.

In comparison to PhD and MD programs, MD/PhD positions in the United States are scarce and consequently more competitive. The tuition fees for MD/PhD positions are typically much lower than MD and PhD positions are sometimes waived completely.

Those who possess a MD/PhD are commonly referred to as medical scientists. The ability to combine their medical knowledge with research skills enables MD/PhDs to work in a wide range of positions from academia to industrial research.

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Combined M.D.-J.D. Degrees: What to Know

This grueling academic path takes six years, and experts say finishing is more about a committed work ethic than intelligence.

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Courses are the same as if the degrees were pursued separately, ranging from contracts and legal methods in law school to biology and other science courses with labs in med school.

Combined M.D.-J.D. programs allow students to earn medical and juris doctor degrees at the same time, providing knowledge and skills that equip them for numerous professional roles.

Except for accelerated programs, law school typically takes three years for full-time students to complete, while medical school takes four. Although combined J.D.-M.D. programs typically take six years, students get a full education at both schools, with some credits transferring from one to the other.

Both degrees are granted by the same school in dual-degree programs, while joint-degree programs involve two different partnering institutions.

“It’s a very powerful degree combination,” says Susan M. Wolf, an endowed professor who teaches courses in the dual-degree program at the University of Minnesota medical and law schools. “It cuts time and it cuts cost. And it’s important when students are considering doing both degrees that they’re really motivated to do both degrees. Neither of these degrees is a walk in the park.”

The Association of American Medical Colleges doesn't have an exhaustive list of combined M.D.-J.D. programs, but notes that 20 schools currently report having one, via the association's Medical School Admission Requirements online database. The number doesn't include schools with informal or unofficial routes that allow students to earn both degrees.

Cost of Combined M.D.-J.D. Degrees

Acceptance into a combined program requires application and admission to both schools.

“The first part you have to consider is the financial implication,” says Dr. Susan Patricia Raine, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and director of the school’s joint M.D.-J.D. program with the University of Houston Law Center .

“That’s more years of tuition that you’re going to be paying, so you have to consider, ‘What are my financial circumstances at this point?’ and ‘What are the financial implications of pursuing this?’ As you consider the financial ramifications, you will have to decide if you can recoup that cost with your future earning potential. You’re delaying your career and your future earning potential by years.”

Costs vary by institution. The current average total cost of a U.S. law school education is about $206,000, while the average total cost of a U.S. medical school education is about $230,000, according to the Education Data Initiative.

Students sometimes receive tuition waivers and stipends, and they typically seek other sources of funding such as loans.

What to Expect in Combined M.D-J.D. Programs

Students in combined programs usually begin medical school first and then alternate between the two schools. Formats vary by program. For example, in the Baylor-University of Houston joint program, students do two years of medical school, the next two years at law school, the fifth year at med school and the sixth year finishing both programs.

Some elective courses typically count for credit toward graduation at both schools, which is a reason combined programs shave a year off the education. In the University of Minnesota’s dual-degree program, students can count up to 12 credits of med courses toward completion of their law degree.

In combined M.D.-J.D. programs, law professors typically teach legal courses in the medical school through joint appointments.

“The combined programs are good to know about,” says Dr. William Sage, a tenured professor of law, medicine and government at Texas A&M University College of Medicine and law school , and at the university’s Bush School of Government & Public Service .

“If your impulse is M.D.-J.D., it’s telling you that you are a unique individual and you should pursue a unique path,” he says. “That may or may not be an M.D-J.D. combination.”

Sage earned medical and law degrees in 1988, but not in an official combined program. While a student at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, he designed his own dual program, attending the university’s law school before doing a medical residency.

“There are different ways to go about it," he says. "I think it’s something you do because you sense that you want to have a flexible engagement with issues of health care, health policy, bioethics.”

What to Consider Before Pursuing a Combined M.D.-J.D. Degree

Earning a medical or law degree is highly demanding, so students planning to tackle both should be prepared, experts say.

Motivation is important, but “the first thing you need is clarity about why you want to do it and how you want to use this degree combination,” Wolf says.

And don't question whether you're smart enough to obtain both degrees, Raine advises.

“It’s more of a matter of you can do it, you just have to commit to doing it,” she says. “And it’s a big commitment. You must learn to think differently, and it’s exciting and rewarding. You just have to have genuine drive to want to accomplish these disparate degrees. Work ethic matters more than raw intelligence.”

You also should know up front whether you want to primarily practice law or medicine, she says, “because that’s going to guide what the career path looks like.”

Dual-degree holders tend to gravitate toward the medical side, observers say. Those who intend to pursue a medical-related career “should consult with faculty, make sure they really want to do this degree combination, and try to consult with somebody who really is an M.D. about their experiences, although experiences vary," Wolf says. "It’s really important to establish mentors. You want to have the support, advice and vision of people who work at the intersection of law and medicine.”

Faculty and others advising those considering the combined degree should ask probing questions, Wolf adds: “Talk to them about why. Do they really need both? Are they really motivated to do both? Do they really understand the rigors of doing both?”

Those who want to complete a residency program and practice medicine should consider whether a particular residency would directly relate to the expertise they would gain in law school, Raine says.

“Think about your ultimate career goals, if you know them,” she says. “It’s OK if you don’t yet know them. Starting in such a program doesn’t mean you’re committed to entering the law school part. You can take the LSAT and apply to law school in the second year of medical school or early third year, which gives you time to decide.”

A desire to affect clinical practice at a policy level motivated Sage to obtain both degrees.

"It suited my engagement with public policy, with health, with social change," he says. "It’s been very important for me to understand the roles of ethics in professional and nonprofessional endeavors. It’s been a nice identity for me as a physician, a lawyer and a teacher. It's really interesting to see your own profession through another profession’s eyes."

After deciding to pursue a combined M.D.-J.D. program, choosing the right one is critical, experts say.

“It’s a long haul,” Wolf warns. “I tell prospective students that if you do this, you ideally want to go to a university that is friendly to this, that is set up for this, and (where) there are supportive faculty members. And potentially, faculty members that you could do research with, whether it’s legal research or policy research or bioethics research. You should go to a welcoming environment that understands this degree combination and is ready to support it."

Career Paths for M.D.-J.D. Degree Recipients

Academia, hospital administration, government and public policy are among fields where professionals with J.D. and M.D. degrees often work. Some become forensic pathologists, in-house counsel at biotechnology research firms, or go into medical malpractice litigation, food and drug law, medical ethics or intellectual property law that involves medical devices.

Having the two degrees “offers you flexibility and careers not open to everyone,” Raine says. “So if you decide to leave one field for burnout or a changing life situation, it affords you options not open to professionals with a single graduate degree.”

As an academic, Sage focuses on the ethical and principle issues of health care related to system improvement, value and efficiency, equity and access, and biomedical innovation .

"People will consider you with that degree combination for almost anything involving health, health care, bioscience," he says. "The combination opens both external doors and internal doors. Sometimes you don’t know what career path you will have until you are on it."

It's been a career path with many turns for Dr. David Orentlicher, who earned an M.D. from Harvard Medical School before obtaining a J.D. from Harvard Law School . He has provided Congressional testimony, done scholarship cited by the U.S. Supreme Court, directed the American Medical Association's Division of Medical Ethics – drafting the AMA’s first bill of rights for patients – and served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008.

Orentlicher currently serves in the Nevada Assembly, is an endowed professor at the University of Nevada—Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law and directs UNLV's Health Law Program.

"During my career, there has been tremendous growth in the interplay between law and medicine, and that has created an ever increasing need for professionals who understand how health care is delivered and how the law can be used to improve public policy," Orentlicher wrote in an email. "I have found that my clinical experience as a doctor helps me translate legal principles into reforms that will be effective in practice."

He stresses the importance of combined-program students deciding early whether they will pursue a career primarily in law or medicine, and whether they "can gain sufficient exposure to the other field without earning a degree."

Dr. Fatima Syed, who completed the Baylor-University of Houston program in 2020, sought the joint degree because she is passionate about patient advocacy and thought a law degree would help her understand how policy could affect her future medical practice.

Syed says she appreciated the education, but now realizes that a law degree wasn’t essential to learning how health care, law and policy advocacy intersect. That awareness has come during her OB-GYN residency as she has seen her physician mentors advocate strongly for patients and influence policy.

"Before, I had felt that to be an effective advocate in the policy realm for patients, I needed a very in-depth understanding of how policy-related processes are," she says. "But I think that a big part of the value that physicians bring to the conversation of health care policy comes from day-to-day interactions in patient care . I realized that you don’t need another degree if your goal is to be involved in patient advocacy and health policy-related advocacy. What you will offer is what you get through your practice as a physician.”

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What is a juris doctor (jd) degree.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 4/12/24

If you’re considering joining the legal field, you’ve likely come across the term “JD.” To learn more about this term, read on! This guide will go over one of the most popular legal degrees pursued, a JD, and how it can be used. 

What Is a JD Degree?

A Juris Doctor (JD) is a three-year professional graduate degree required to become a licensed lawyer. It signifies an advanced level of expertise and specialization as the highest degree that can be achieved in the legal field.

Juris Doctor Degree Requirements

Preparing for your JD will require meticulous groundwork to fulfill the lengthy list of application requirements and adhere to your desired law school’s application timeline :

• An undergraduate degree in a major of your choice  
• A competitive LSAT or GRE score
• A resume detailing your work , volunteer, and extracurricular experience  
• A personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Optional addendum for a low GPA or low LSAT score
• Optional diversity statement

Students often spend months of hard work perfecting their applications to ensure they stand out!

How Long Does It Take to Get a JD Degree?

You should know what you’re getting yourself into by pursuing a JD ! They typically take three arduous years to complete as a full-time student and are incredibly demanding. 

However, there are several part-time JD programs that take four years to complete. These programs offer the same curriculums and opportunities as full-time JDs but have more flexibility!

What Can You Do With a JD Degree?

The majority of individuals who complete a Juris Doctor degree go on to work as practicing lawyers. For graduates seeking to practice law within the United States, it's also necessary to gain admission to the Bar in the specific jurisdiction you plan to practice.

The most common legal specialties Juris Doctor candidates pursue are:

• Animal law : handling cases involving animal cruelty, farming, natural land use, entertainment, and the rules around exotic animals
• Alternative dispute resolution : solving disputes without litigation
• Construction law : protecting construction workers, industry workers, architects, planners, and financial institutions; and ensuring construction organizations follow ethical work, safety, and administration regulations
• Maritime law : focuses on regulations affecting the economic transactions between sailors and maritime traders 
• E-commerce law : supporting businesses and consumers navigate online transactions
• Criminal law : learning about liberties and violations of rights and public safety
• Corporate compliance : ensuring companies abide by all laws, regulations, and policies to avoid lawsuits or violations
• Cybersecurity law : protecting public and private information systems
• Family law : representing individuals within family units, most commonly handling divorce cases and those involving child welfare
• International law : involving the rules governing international relationships, such as those between the UN states and individuals
• Environmental law : protecting the environment by advocating for it and pushing for policies and regulation changes
• Education law : involving the policies involved in education systems
• Health law : involving any legislation that applies to healthcare systems and those within them
• Sports law : working with sports organizations, leagues, teams, or individuals to mainly ensure they receive fair contracts or represent them when accused of committing crimes
• Labor and employment law : ensuring employee-employer relationships follow the necessary standards and regulations
• Tax law : involving all regulations pertaining to state and federal taxes
• Real estate law : supporting buyers, sellers, and organizations in transactions involving properties
• Trust and estate law : protecting clients’ assets during their life and after their death
• Intellectual property law : protecting the intellectual creations of organizations and individuals, including art, music, inventions, brands, patents, trademarks, and more
• Civil rights law : advocating for and protecting the rights and liberties of individuals in areas related to social justice
• Human rights law : protecting the universal rights considered to be inherent to all human beings
• Personal injury law : providing compensation and justice to those injured due to the negligence of another party
• Immigration law : providing legal guidance and services to individuals, families, and businesses regarding various immigration matters
• Prosecution : prosecutors are district attorneys (DAs) who represent the government in criminal cases
• Public defense : public defenders are employed by the government to provide legal representation to individuals who cannot afford private attorneys 

Alternatively, many law school graduates choose not to pursue licensure or leverage their degree in different career paths , including: 

Lawyers can eventually also become judges without any further education. However, this typically involves over a decade of experience working as an attorney and is a highly revered and selective career.

Some JD holders may choose to become mediators instead of lawyers. Mediators are neutral third parties that help resolve conflicts to reach agreeable settlements.

Jury Consultant

Jury consultants assist attorneys in identifying and evaluating potential biases, attitudes, and perceptions of prospective jurors. Through careful research and consideration, their goal is to ensure the right and least biased jurors are chosen.

Legal Secretary

Legal secretaries play an integral role in any law firm by helping with administrative tasks to ensure smooth operation. 

While paralegals often only hold degrees or certificates in paralegal studies, JD students are more than qualified to pursue this role. Paralegals work closely with attorneys and provide them with a range of support services.

Teachers or Professors

You may also pursue a teaching career with a JD but will need to obtain higher education to teach at the postsecondary level.

Now you know what careers are open to Juris Doctor graduates, book a call with a law school admissions expert to secure your spot at law school today!

Are There Other Law Degrees Besides a JD?

While schools offered bachelor’s degrees in law in the past, the main types of law degrees besides a JD are master’s, such as a Master’s of Law (LLM), and doctoral degrees, such as a Doctor or Juridical Science (JSD). These degrees allow students to gain more in-depth knowledge of a specific specialty. 

FAQs: What Is a JD Degree?

For any remaining inquiries, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about this legal degree.

1. What Is a JD Equivalent To?

A JD is unlike any other degree. It is a graduate-level degree that offers you specialized training in law and valuable experience to prepare you for your career. In this way, it can be compared to an MD, as an MD also offers advanced training in medicine and considerable hands-on experience.

But, MD students must also complete residencies to practice medicine. Lawyers can begin practicing right after their JDs, assuming they pass the bar exam !

2. Is a JD Equivalent to a PhD?

No, a JD is not equivalent to a PhD. PhDs require research, independent study, and thesis components that JDs do not. While PhD holders are considered doctors, JD holders are not.

3. Is a JD the Same as a Bachelor’s Degree?

No, a JD is much more extensive than a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite to a JD.

4. Is a JD a Doctorate?

Yes, a JD is considered a professional doctorate degree.

5. Should I Pursue a JD for a Non-Lawyer Career?

Getting into a JD program will be difficult. It will require you to write the LSAT, maintain a high GPA, and submit a standout application to admissions committees that have seen thousands of applications. Once you’re in a JD program, the difficulty will only increase . These programs are also extremely expensive ! 

Considering these factors, pursuing a career as a lawyer ensures all of this time, effort, and money is not spent in vain. Lawyers are well-paid and can often handle their student debt when working full-time. However, if you pursue another job, such as a mediator, you will not make as much and may struggle with your student loans.

Additionally, you do not need a JD to pursue other legal careers! There are other cheaper and less competitive options that would serve you better.

Final Thoughts

Bearing in mind the high costs and competitiveness of these programs, it’s essential you carefully consider if this degree is right for you! After going through this guide, you should be able to come to a decision easier!

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Considering a combined degree: MD-PhD, MD-MBA, MD-MPH, MD-JD

New section.

You may not have known there are dual-degree programs offered by medical schools for students interested in pursuing an additional master’s degree. Learn about the difference between each of these dual-degree programs and why you might consider pursuing one.

While the majority of medical students pursue a traditional MD degree, dual-degree programs are available to students who are interested in pursuing an additional master’s degree in combination with their Doctor of Medicine.

According to the AAMC’s 2018 Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) , approximately 90% of students earn a traditional MD degree, 3% earn an MD-PhD, and the remaining earn a degree from another joint MD degree program with core foundation in medicine and focus in an additional area of interest.

Program description

This combined degree program prepares students to become physician-scientists who conduct research in addition to seeing patients. Most students earn their PhDs in biomedical disciplines such as biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biophysics, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, or pharmacology.

Application process

MD-PhD committee members will look for evidence of an applicant’s passion for research by reviewing the applicant’s personal statement, research experiences, and letters of evaluation from faculty or researchers with whom the applicant has worked. In particular, committee members want to see relevant and substantive research experience, an understanding of the work of physician-scientists, intellectual drive, and perseverance.

Combined length of programs

Seven to eight years

Education process

The typical program includes two years of combined medical and graduate school coursework, three to five years of doctoral research — including the completion of a thesis project — and a return to medical school for core clinical training and electives during the final years of the curriculum

Almost all U.S. and Canadian medical schools have MD-PhD programs in one or more areas of specialization. You can find a listing of MD-PhD programs available at AAMC member medical schools here .

Career options

Learn more at MD-PhD in the Social Sciences or Humanities: Is It Right For Me?

An MD-MPH program includes a Master of Public Health degree, which typically focuses on population or community health and equips students with the clinical skills and science background needed to effectively understand health and wellness from the perspectives of patients and different community populations. Topics studied include a patient’s ability to afford their medical prescriptions and how to work with communities to implement preventative care practices.

The process varies depending on the program. You may apply while applying to medical school, after being accepted to medical school, or after completing your second year of medical school.

Students can begin the MPH portion of their coursework after their first or second year of medical school. Possible concentrations include Child and Family Health, Environmental Health, Global Health Leadership, Health Education and Promotion, and Public Health Policy.

The MD-MPH prepares graduates to work as physicians in a public health setting, which may include diagnosing health problems and risk factors of individuals and within communities. Graduates use their perspectives to research and identify public health issues and implement an evidence-based approach to health improvement. In addition to clinical practice, MD-MPH degree holders may pursue careers related to disease prevention, health education, research, implementation science, and policy making. Visit  AAMC's Directory of MD-MPH Educational Opportunities for more information.

Health care and business are interconnected. Physicians often make business decisions related to which diagnostic tests to run and understanding which treatments insurance will cover. An MBA also equips physicians with the ability to make important business decisions related to growing their medical practices and determining if their practice can afford the cost of a new machines.

Students may indicate their interest in the MD-MBA joint degree upon being accepted to medical school, but they typically will not apply to the business program until their second year as a medical student. Applicants pursuing an MD-MBA will need to gain admission to the school of business and, in addition to the MCAT, MD-MBA students may be required to complete the GRE or GMAT depending on the business school requirements.

The MD-MBA curriculum incorporates economics, finance, and marketing strategy. Students may complete the first year of the MBA program prior to beginning medical school, and then complete a traditional medical school program.

Graduates from MD-MBA programs can pursue management roles in hospital administration, health care policy research, pharmaceutical or insurance companies, or medical device entrepreneurship with biotech companies. Being able to understand the financial motivations within the health care industry allows those with an MD-MBA to improve the health care system.

Students seeking a deeper understanding of the laws impacting the practice of medicine may benefit from a MD-JD program. These programs are designed for medical students who wish to integrate their study of medicine with training in the legal field.

Students will need to gain admission into the JD program at the law school through a separate application process. They may apply to law school during the second year of their MD program and will need to complete the LSAT exam. The LSAT is offered multiple time a year.

Combined length of program

Typically, students will be enrolled in a MD program for the first two years of their education before pursuing a JD during the third and fourth years. Students may complete their remaining MD and JD coursework during their fifth and sixth years.

Graduates with JD-MD degree may opt to work in academia, government, or in the private sector pursuing careers in health policy, biotechnology, or bioethics. The law curriculum prepares those who choose to practice medicine for the legal aspects of running a private medical practice.

More information in the MSAR

If you’re interested in schools with combined-degree programs, you can search the Medical School Admissions Requirements for a list of schools with programs you are interested in for free. Even without a subscription, you can search by program and narrow the search by location, campus type, and then view each program’s contact information and website.

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Is an MD/PhD program right for me? Advice on becoming a physician–scientist

We are living in a golden age of biomedical research in which it is increasingly feasible to translate fundamental discoveries into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to human illnesses. Inherited diseases are being cured with gene therapy. Cancer cells are being eliminated with less toxic small molecule inhibitors and reengineered T-cells. Direct connections are being made between the central nervous system and prosthetic devices. These efforts are being led by scientists and engineers, some of whom are also physicians. This article is intended to help anyone considering a career as a physician–scientist, but unsure about how best to begin. It is also intended for faculty, staff, and parents who are on the front lines of advising talented students about the options that they have for their future. With this in mind, I have tried to answer common questions about MD/PhD programs, but I have also included information about other paths to becoming a physician who does research.

INTRODUCTION

Because this is a perspectives piece, I will begin it with a confession: I have been a physician–scientist for more than 30 years and I like what I do. I am also a graduate of one of the earliest MD/PhD programs and have been director of the University of Pennsylvania’s MD/PhD program for 20 years. Being a physician who is also a scientist already makes me atypical. According to the American Medical Association, only 14,000 U.S. physicians (out of nearly 1 million) consider research to be their major job, and a search of National Institutes of Health (NIH) databases in 2012 turned up only 8200 physicians who were principal investigators on NIH research grants ( Ginsburg et al. , 2014 ). To put that number in context, there were 28,000 total investigators with NIH grants in 2012. In other words, most NIH principal investigators are PhD scientists, not physician–scientists (MD or MD/PhD).

My primary day (and sometimes night and weekend) job as a card-carrying physician–scientist is overseeing an NIH-funded research team. My clinical responsibilities include taking care of patients with the kinds of bleeding and blood clotting disorders that we study in the lab. Some of these patients have medical problems that are common in the United States. Some of them are true “zebras,” the kinds of patients who get referred to a well-respected academic medical center because physicians are unsure how best to proceed or lack the resources to manage the patient’s problem. I also teach medical students and graduate students, and I direct a very large MD/PhD program. In my spare time, I talk to lots of undergraduates and recent college graduates who are thinking about becoming physician–scientists and wondering whether they should be applying to MD/PhD programs. I meet them at Penn, but also on visits to other colleges and universities. This article is a distillation of some answers to questions that I am commonly asked. If you are an undergraduate trying to decide whether to go to medical school, graduate school, or both, this article may help you. Whatever you decide, I wish you success.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MD/PhD TRAINING?

MD/PhD programs were established in the 1950s to combine training in medicine and research. They were specifically designed for men and women who wanted to become research physicians, also known as physician–investigators or physician–scientists. Most of the graduates of MD/PhD programs in the 60-plus years since then have become faculty members at medical schools and universities, investigators at research institutes such as the NIH, or leaders in in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries ( Brass et al. , 2010 ). Regardless of where they eventually end up, MD/PhD trainees are being prepared for careers in which they will spend most of their time doing research or translating that research into new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. It is a busy, challenging, and hugely rewarding career. A study of what has happened to MD/PhD program graduates from 24 schools appeared in Academic Medicine in 2010 and is worth reading not only for the data set, but also for the discussion of what the data mean ( Brass et al. , 2010 ). An even larger outcomes study that includes data on over 10,000 MD/PhD program graduates is scheduled for publication as a AAMC report in April 2018 ( Akabas et al. , 2018 ).

HOW CAN ONE PERSON DO TWO JOBS?

When I was an undergraduate and trying to decide what to do with my life, my mentors told me that I could become a doctor or a scientist, but that trying to combine two busy professions was futile. Many years later, I know that many current undergraduates are being told the same thing. However well-meant, that advice misses the point. The goal of MD/PhD program training is not to prepare you for two unrelated full time jobs. Instead, you should think of physician–scientists as chimeras—blends of a physician and a scientist with the two parts fitting closely together. A more relevant question is: if you are going to become a physician–scientist, do you have to go through an MD/PhD program? I will try to answer that one a bit later in this article. First, I’ll provide some definitions.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN MD/PhD PROGRAM, A COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM, AND AN MSTP PROGRAM? A BIT OF HISTORY AND A WORD ABOUT FUNDING

None. Programs designed to train physician–scientists go by all of these names. For the most part, the terms are interchangeable, although at some schools “combined degree” programs can include MD/JD and MD/masters programs as well—also VMD/PhD programs, which train veterinary physician–scientists. A list of MD/PhD programs can be found at http://www.aamc.org/students/research/mdphd/applying_MD/PhD/61570/mdphd_programs.html . The NIH uses the term MSTP (short for “medical scientist training program”) to refer to programs at schools that have been competitively awarded special training funds to help support MD/PhD candidates. There are currently 46 MD/PhD programs that receive support from the National Institute of General Medical Studies. A list can be found at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/InstPredoc/PredocOverview-MSTP.htm .

When they first started, there were only a handful of MD/PhD programs. I can clearly remember reading a small booklet about applying to medical school that had a single page at the back about MD/PhD programs. Over time, the number of programs has grown. Now there are ∼90 active MD/PhD programs that admit anywhere from a few students per year to 25 or more. The average size of an MD/PhD program in 2017 was ∼90 students in all stages of training. Compared with the many thousands who apply to medical school in each year, only 1900 (∼3%) apply to MD/PhD programs. About one-third of the applicants are accepted, which is similar to the acceptance rate for medical school. 1 When I began medical school, there were very few MD/PhD trainees—I was one of two in my entering class. That has changed considerably. There are currently ∼5500 men and women in training in MD/PhD programs.

Most MD/PhD programs provide tuition waivers for both medical school and graduate school plus a stipend to help cover living expenses. Such fellowships are exceedingly valuable for trainees and very expensive for medical schools and the NIH, so admissions committees work hard to pick the right students for their programs. Despite the high training costs, when I visit other MD/PhD programs to conduct reviews, it is not uncommon to hear deans refer to their MD/PhD program as “the jewel in the crown.” One can easily argue that the existence of MD/PhD programs is evidence of the high value that our society places on physician–scientists.

ARE MD/PhD PROGRAMS LIMITED TO THOSE INTERESTED IN LABORATORY RESEARCH?

The answer varies from school to school. Not all schools offer PhD programs in all disciplines. The majority of MD/PhD students receive their PhD in biomedical laboratory disciplines such as cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, pharmacology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. The names of departments and graduate programs vary from school to school. At some schools, MD/PhD trainees do their graduate work outside of the laboratory disciplines, in fields such as economics, epidemiology, health care economics, sociology, medical anthropology, or the history of science. This is not an exhaustive list, and you should check before you apply to see what is actually offered at any particular school.

Although there is no fully up-to-date and reliable list of which MD/PhD programs offer training in which graduate disciplines, a place to start is at the Website of the AAMC MD/PhD section (which is a good source for other types of information as well). 2

ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO BECOME A PHYSICIAN–SCIENTIST?

Yes. Definitely. MD/PhD programs are a great choice for people who decide early that that they want to be physician–scientists and have built the necessary track record of academic success and research experience before they apply. Not everyone does this, however, either because he or she did not learn about the option early enough, he or she did not make a decision in time, or he or she does not have an academic and research experience record that supports an application. Not finding out early enough turns out to be a common problem. In my experience, college prehealth advisors know much less about MD/PhD training than MD training—not surprisingly, since only 3% of medical school applicants in the United States every year apply for MD/PhD training. As a result, some people choose (or are obliged) to do MD/PhD training in series, rather than parallel—finishing one degree and then starting the other. The disadvantages of this approach include taking longer to finish training and the likely need to cover the cost of medical school on your own.

I am frequently asked about the strategy of starting medical school and then applying to graduate school as a medical student. Some schools will consider you for transfer into their MD/PhD programs after you have completed a year or two of medical school or graduate school at the same university. Although it is very rare that an MD/PhD program will consider accepting a medical or graduate student from a different school, it does occasionally happen when faculty move from one institution to another and want to bring their students with them. The rules and requirements vary from school to school.

Other programs worth checking out include the NIH MD/PhD program that provides support for the PhD phase at the NIH campus or in Oxford/Cambridge, with the MD training taking place at one of the participating MSTP-designated programs. Note that not all of the MSTP programs have chosen to participate, so if you have your heart set on a specific medical school, you should be sure to ask. 3

Another option is to complete medical school and residency training before doing an extended period of supervised research. A number of Nobel Prize–winning physician–scientists did just that. However, with the increase in the number of MD/PhD training programs nationwide, most people who make the decision to become physician–­scientists while still in college should think hard about doing both degrees together in an integrated MD/PhD program that combines graduate school and medical school into a joint program that currently takes 8 years on average to complete ( Akabas et al. , 2018 ).

DO I REALLY NEED A PhD TO DO RESEARCH? CAN I SAVE TIME BY SKIPPING IT?

The answer to the first of these questions is “Clearly not.” However, while medical school will put you firmly on the path to becoming an accomplished clinician, it does not provide training in how to do research. At some point you will benefit from that additional piece of your education if you intend to become a physician–scientist.

As noted above, in years past it was not uncommon to learn how to do research by doing an extended postdoctoral fellowship after (or instead of) a clinical residency. I am often asked whether it is possible to save time on the path to becoming a physician–scientist by skipping graduate school and just going to medical school. The available data suggest that the answer to this one is “No.” Physician–scientists get their first jobs in academia and their first independent NIH grants at approximately the same age regardless of whether they completed an MD/PhD program or went solely to medical school and then did a more extended postdoc ( Ginsburg et al. , 2014 ). As a result, I normally tell undergraduates that if they are ready to make the commitment before starting medical school, MD/PhD programs offer many advantages, including integrated training, mentored research training, and medical school tuition waivers. On the other hand, if you are sure you want to be a doctor, but less sure about being a scientist, then my advice is to go to medical school and figure out the rest of what you need when you know more about the opportunities that being a physician provides.

HOW DOES MD/PhD TRAINING WORK AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The answer varies from school to school, but historically students begin with 2 years of medical school, switch to graduate school in the third year of the program, and then return to finish medical school after completing (and defending) a thesis research project. When I was an MD/PhD student in the 1970s, there was little, if any, communication between the medical and graduate phases of the program. That has changed considerably. Now most programs emphasize integration of the MD and PhD parts of the training, with graduate school courses during years 1 and 2 and clinical experiences during graduate school. Some programs allow completion of 3–12 months of clinical training before the start of full-time graduate training. Be sure to ask how things are organized at schools that you are considering. In programs leading to a PhD in laboratory science, MD/PhD trainees usually spend the summer between the first and second years of medical school working in the laboratory of the faculty member they are considering as a potential thesis advisor. Some programs also ask students to do one of these “lab rotations” in the summer before starting medical school classes as well. Depending on the number of clinical months completed before starting the thesis research, students returning to medical school will need 1–2 years to finish their training and meet the requirements for medical licensure. The stated goal is to complete an MD/PhD program in 7 or 8 years. However, numbers from across the country show that some students finish in 6 years, while others take 10 years (or more). The average currently is 8 years ( Akabas et al. , 2018 ). Note that medical education in the United States continues to evolve. One trend is away from the classic two years of preclinical education followed by 2 years of clinical education. The earlier start in clinical training made possible by shortening preclinical time enables some MD/PhD programs to offer full-time clinical experiences before the start of graduate school. However, some schools are choosing not to do this. The only way to find out what is being done is to ask, if it is not evident from the program’s Website.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE TRAINING AFTER GRADUATING FROM AN MD/PhD PROGRAM?

Corny as this may sound, the process is never really finished. Your education will continue throughout your career. A more pragmatic answer is that training will extend beyond medical school and graduate school as you complete your post graduate education. Here are some typical numbers: MD/PhD program, 8 years. Residency, 3–6 years. Postdoctoral fellowship, 3–6 years. For most people the term “postdoctoral fellowship” includes another year or two of clinical training, followed by a return to research for 2 or more years ( Figure 1 ). For example, I completed an MD/PhD program in 6 years, followed by a residency in internal medicine (3 years) and a fellowship in clinical hemato­logy and oncology that was combined with postdoctoral training back in a lab (3 years). After that I became an assistant professor and started my own lab. That timing was fairly typical when I did it. Now it would be considered fast. On the other hand, my job description when I finished included running a research team, looking after postdocs and graduate students, and taking care of sick people with complicated medical problems, so maybe all of that training time was necessary.

Paths to becoming a physician who is also a scientist. Integrated MD/PhD training programs that combine research and medical training are not the only path to becoming a physician–scientist. Alternatives begin with doing a research year in medical school (MD+ in the figure) or just doing the standard four-year medical school education. These save time at the start, but usually require a longer period of postgraduate clinical and research training to reach the point where a job as a physician–scientist in academia becomes feasible. As a result, physician–scientists often arrive at the “get a job” point at about the same age whether they began as medical students, MD+ students, or MD/PhD students, although usually with greater student debt if they have not been in an MD/PhD program. See the text for details.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GRADUATES OF MD/PhD PROGRAMS?

Short-term, nearly all do additional clinical training. Those who do not are usually headed toward careers at research institutes or outside clinical medicine entirely. Those who do apply for residencies often find that their MD/PhD training makes them particularly appealing to residency programs at top institutions. Long-term, most program graduates end up with careers in which they combine patient care and research. The research may be lab-based, translational, or clinical. Most (75–80%) end up at academic medical centers, at research institutions such as the NIH, or in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry ( Figure 2 ; Brass et al. , 2010 ; Akabas et al. , 2018 ). A much higher percentage of MD/PhD program graduates have ended up in academia than of medical school graduates in general ( Brass et al. , 2010 ). Those who build research careers and apply for NIH research grants find that having the PhD in addition to the MD improves their chances of obtaining funding ( Ginsburg et al. , 2014 ).

Where are they working? Data from 2202 MD/PhD program alumni who have completed all phases of postgraduate clinical and research training. Adapted from Brass et al. (2010) . Industry includes the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Pvt Practice refers to full-time clinical practice outside of an academic medical center.

HOW DO I APPLY?

The process of application varies from school to school. Some schools have an MD/PhD-focused committee that will screen your application and coordinate the interview and admission process. Other schools consider MD/PhD applicants only after a decision has been made about MD admissions. Finally, some schools consider students for the MD/PhD program only after they have completed a year or more of medical school. Schools that subscribe to AMCAS will ask you to indicate your interest in an MD/PhD program and then to provide additional information as part of a secondary application.

WHEN DO I APPLY?

Most people apply after finishing their junior year in college, but a growing number of applicants finish college and work for a year or more before applying. Some people use the time after college to take courses needed for medical school admission or to gain more full-time laboratory research experience. Some people simply were not ready to make decisions about their future careers and postponed choosing beyond the finish of college. It is a mistake to assume that MD/PhD programs are interested only in applicants who have worked in a lab for a year or more after college. That is clearly not the case, and some of us who direct MD/PhD programs are concerned about the growing percentage of applicants who have waited to apply after they graduate in the mistaken impression that it will improve their resumes. My advice is that for a training path that lasts as long as this one does, it is best to get started as soon as possible.

WHAT DO ADMISSIONS COMMITTEES LOOK FOR?

The answer clearly varies from school to school, but some basic principles apply. In general, admissions committees will look for evidence of academic success, extended research experience, letters of recommendation from people who know you well, and your plans for the future.

• Evidence of academic success. This includes your GPA and MCAT scores, but is not limited to them. Admission committees use a holistic approach and will undoubtedly consider where you went to college and what types of courses you took. They will not necessarily be dismayed if you got off to a slow start, as long as you did well later. They will place the greatest emphasis on courses that are relevant to your chosen area of graduate school training. I have not encountered a program director who seriously believed that the MCAT tests your ability to be a physician–scientist. Nonetheless programs use MCAT scores in a variety of ways, including seeing how you compare with the national pool of applicants and predicting how you will do on the numerous standardized tests that all of us have to take in medical school and beyond.
• Extensive research experience. If you plan to get a PhD in one of the laboratory sciences, then prior laboratory experience counts heavily, particularly if you spent a year or more in the same laboratory. Summer laboratory experience can be helpful because they are usually opportunities to do research full time, but summers are short. Whenever possible, you should try to do research during the academic year, or at least spend multiple summers in the same lab. If you are planning a PhD outside of the laboratory sciences, seek equivalent experiences. The idea is to be sure you like the experience and to create a track record upon which your past performance can be judged and your future success predicted.
• Letters of recommendation. The most important letter(s) are from the faculty members or other senior investigators with whom you worked. The letters should ideally comment on your talents, skills, and potential for success as an independent investigator. If you are working with a senior faculty member, it is very helpful if he or she can compare you with other students with whom he or she has worked. Note that such a letter is not necessarily the most appropriate for an MD-only application. MD/PhD program admissions committees are usually most interested in your talent and ability as a physician–scientist, although they will definitely also consider whether you are likely to become a successful and caring physician. Fortunately, medical schools allow you to submit more than one letter of recommendation.
• Your plans for the future. Because training to be a physician–­investigator is so costly in terms of your time and the school’s resources, your career goals should be compatible with MD/PhD training. Becoming a full-time practitioner is a laudable goal, but does not require a PhD in addition to an MD. Your goal as a trained physician–investigator should be to spend at least 75% of your time on research. You do not need to know the specific problem you want to work on at this point (many do not, and it is likely to change), or with whom you would like to train, but your commitment to becoming an investigator should be clearly communicated in your essays and interviews, and you should have given thought to what will be required.

HOW DO I DECIDE WHERE TO APPLY?

Some applicants have decided that they want to work in a particular field or with a particular faculty member. For them, choosing where to apply is defined by where that faculty member works or where the field is best represented. Most applicants have only a general idea of what they might want to work on in the future and know that their interests are likely to evolve as they are exposed to new things. For them, choice will be defined by issues such as the reputation of the school (hopefully not based solely on U.S. News and World Report rankings!), the success of the graduates of the program (be sure to ask!), and geography. Schools vary in the difficulty of gaining admission. The directors and nonfaculty administrators of MD/PhD programs nationwide are a large pool of resources that you can tap. Most of us get e-mail from future applicants all the time. Take advantage of our willingness to talk with you. Ask questions about the things that are important to you.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I began this perspective with the confession that I am a physician–scientist and I like what I do. It is not unusual these days to encounter articles and opinion pieces that lament the difficulty of becoming and remaining a physician–scientist. I will not cite them here—you can find them on your own. Fortunately, our society is still willing to make a large investment in biomedical research through the NIH and through numerous foundations. If you want to become a physician who discovers the new stuff, there are jobs waiting to be filled. However, you will need good training and great mentorship as you learn the skills needed to be a physician and a research team leader. Good luck with your decision.

Acknowledgments

My thanks to my colleagues who direct MD/PhD programs, the NIH for supporting physician–scientist training (including my own), and the hundreds of MD/PhD candidates and alumni who have taught me so much over the past 20 years.

Abbreviations used:

DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E17-12-0721

1 www.aamc.org/data/facts/enrollmentgraduate/ .

2 www.aamc.org/students/research/mdphd/ .

3 http://mdphd.gpp.nih.gov .

• Akabas MH, Tartakovsky I, Brass LF. (2018). The National MD–PhD Program Outcomes Study. American Association of Medical Colleges Reports.
• Brass LF, Akabas MH, Burnley LD, Engman DM, Wiley CA, Andersen OS. (2010). Are MD–PhD programs meeting their goals? An analysis of career choices made by graduates of 24 MD–PhD programs . Acad Med , 692–701. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Ginsburg D, Shurin SB, Mills S. (2014). NIH Physician–Scientist Workforce (PSW) Working Group Report. [ Google Scholar ]

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Ph.D. Vs. MD: What’s The Difference?

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For individuals looking to pursue a doctorate, most are faced with the decision between PhDs ( Doctor of Philosophy) or MDs (Doctor of Medicine) degrees. These two may seem similar in nature, but there are key differences it’s important to understand before you pursue either one. Depending on your professional goals, one may suit you better than the other.

Both PhDs and MDs represent the highest level of graduate school one can receive. They are prestigious degrees in both regards but can significantly impact your career path once you’re finished with school. In this article, we’ll discuss what each degree is, the differences between them, and which one may be best for the types of goals an individual seeks.

Key Takeaways:

What Is an MD?

MD stands for Doctor of Medicine, meaning those who achieve this level of education are allopathic doctors. This means they are individuals who are licensed to treat and diagnose conditions using tools like x-rays, prescription drugs, and surgery. They can work as broader practitioners or work with a specific specialty.

Pursuing an MD means individuals are pursuing a traditional medical degree where they undergo practical training as they work through graduate school in the hopes of becoming licensed physicians by the time they graduate. Depending on their fields of specialty, their training may vary. Some of these specialties include

Surgery. Surgeons are doctors who specialize in evaluating and treating conditions that require physical changes to the human body. Surgeons use instruments to move live tissues in order to treat a specific ailment or illness. They can perform both open surgery and minimally invasive surgery.

Specific body parts or organs. MDs can also specialize in body parts or organs, becoming a cardiologist who is an expert on the heart, gastroenterologists who specialize in digestive organs, hematologists who specialize in blood, or neurologists who specialize in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Psychiatry. Psychiatrists are MDs who specialize in mental health, which can include substance use disorders. They are licensed and qualified to assess the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems as well as administer certain prescription drugs to help with these issues.

Geriatric medicine. MDs in geriatrics have additional specialized training in treating the ailments and illnesses of older patients. They often work in outpatient settings, nursing facilities, or hospitals. They often have added knowledge of diseases such as dementia, incontinence, or osteoporosis.

Pediatrics. Pediatricians are MDs who focus on the health of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults, typically up to age 21. These doctors prevent, detect, and manage any physical, behavioral, or developmental issues that may arise in children or young adults.

In order to become an MD, students must attend graduate school with the specific goal of becoming a physician . It’s during this time most choose a specialty and gain specific experience in that area. Because MDs have expertise in practicing medicine, they are more likely to be found in clinical environments.

A standard program for an MD requires students to take two years of coursework in a classroom-based setting. Then, they’ll be required to take two years of rotational work in a clinical environment. They must attend an accredited medical school as well as a residency program that prepares them to diagnose patients and practice medicine.

What Is a Ph.D.?

A Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy is a doctoral research degree that requires the completion of intensive research in order to become an expert in a specific field. To receive this type of degree, a Ph.D. must defend a dissertation or a research document. Unlike an MD, a Ph.D. can be awarded for carrying out original research in any field, not just medicine.

A Ph.D. in a medicinal field is focused on finding out new knowledge as opposed to learning current knowledge, like an MD. That means if you pursue a Ph.D. in medicine, you are not required to attend medical school or complete a residency program. Your dissertation and defense of that dissertation are what complete your program.

Ph.D. programs focus almost entirely on conducting, compiling, and contributing to specific research. The standard Ph.D. program lasts anywhere from five to seven years and seeks students undertaking original research that is typically monitored by a supervisor . Achieving a Ph.D. means the student has contributed to novel findings leading to advancement in knowledge.

There is such a wide variety of Ph.D. fields, but it would be impossible to list them all here; however, it’s important to note that most Ph.D. students continue their studies in their field long after graduation is behind them. Typically they will continue their research and participate in other programs that allow for further research.

Individuals working towards a Ph.D. often choose to work in academia, such as at a college or university, where they can continue their research. Others may opt to work for independent companies such as pharmaceutical or engineering companies. Others may use their Ph.D. in fields unrelated to research, such as senior positions in their field of study.

Ph.D. vs. MD FAQ

Is an MD or Ph.D. better?

Depending on your professional goals, an MD degree is better for those interested in practicing medicine, while a Ph.D. is better for individuals looking to advance knowledge in certain fields.

Does an MD or Ph.D. make more money?

This typically depends on the specific specialty or setting, but MDs typically earn more money than those with a Ph.D.

Can an MD research without obtaining a Ph.D.?

Yes, an MD does not need a Ph.D. to conduct research.

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Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

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Is a PhD and JD the same?

The Juris Doctor degree–or J.D. for short–is a graduate degree awarded by law schools in the United States. A Juris Doctor is technically a Doctor of Jurisprudence just as an MD is a Doctor of Medicine or a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy .

Is a J.D. degree equivalent to a PhD?

Which is higher jd or phd.

For most people, a JD is the easier degree to finish , as it is all course work, and it takes only three years. A PhD is typically five or six years, the second half of which is devoted to original research.

What is a J.D. degree equivalent to?

A J.D. is the minimum educational level for lawyers. The J.D. is considered a professional doctorate . The United States Department of Education and the National Science Foundation do not consider a J.D. degree equivalent to a research doctorate, which would confer the recipient the title of "Doctor."8

Why are JD not called Doctor?

A JD is a full doctoral degree. The only professional in society that can call him/her self a "doctor" are physicians . The more appropriate address for a PhD or a JD at the university is "professor" which by definition means a teacher (doctor) of the highest rank at the university.

Is a JD better than a PhD?

What is higher than a J.D. degree?

The purpose of a JD is to prepare someone to practice law, while the mission of an LLM is to provide advanced training. An LLM program focuses on more theoretical concerns than a JD program. An LLM can help attorneys attract clients in fields where the credential is highly valued.

What is a PhD in law called?

D.). The Doctor of Jurisprudence (Juris Doctor or J.D.) is the professional doctorate degree that is usually required for admissions to post-graduate studies in law. The first law degree was known until recently as the Bachelor of Laws (LL. B.).

Can I put JD after my name?

JD can go after a lawyer's name, but it is usually only used in academic settings . Even though a legal degree is a doctorate, you do not usually address law degree holders as "doctor." Lawyers do not normally put Esq. after their name and many attorneys consider it old-fashioned.

Does a PhD make you a Doctor?

A doctoral degree (PhD) is a degree that one earns after a master's degree. A PhD entitles a person to use the title doctor.

Do you refer to someone with a JD as Doctor?

A Juris Doctor degree is technically a professional doctorate. But unlike other Ph. D. holders, lawyers don't hold the title of “Doctor.” Instead, they can choose to use the title “esquire,” which is shortened to “Esq.” and is fashioned after the lawyer's name.

What is the highest degree in law?

A Doctor of Juridical Science degree is considered the highest level of a law degree and is designed for professionals who are looking to gain an advanced legal education after earning their JD and LLM.

Does law school give you a PhD?

PhD Programs A PhD in Law involves research and an academic approach to Law study . A PhD in Law is not to be confused with a Juris Doctor, which is a professional degree preparing students to practice.

Can PhD put Dr title?

Yes, a PhD can be referred to as a Dr . without being mistaken as a medical doctor.

Why did Taylor Swift get a PhD?

She received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from the New York University (NYU) and celebrated her achievement by sharing 'life hacks' with the graduates of NYU . Singer, writer, director and producer, Taylor debuted in the music industry at the age of 15.

Is a PhD higher than an MD?

MD and Phd are both higher degrees . MD stands for Doctor of Medicine, and Phd stands for Doctor of philosophy. The first difference that can be mentioned of the two, is that MD is associated with treating patients, and Phd is related to a doctor's degree in other fields.

Is juris doctorate wrong?

"JD" is the abbreviation for Juris Doctor. "Juris Doctorate" is incorrect . "LLM" is the abbreviation for Master of Laws.

Does JD mean you passed the bar?

Similar to other academic terms like "Ph. D.," a J.D. indicates that the titleholder has attended and graduated from law school . Having a J.D. from an accredited law school entitles that person to apply for and take any state's bar exam, but it does not allow him or her to practice law before being admitted to the bar.

Is Juris Doctor a lawyer?

What makes it different from the Bachelor of Laws degree? Substantially, both degrees are not unlike the other and both degrees allow the holder to take the Bar Examinations and practice law. The Juris Doctor degree, however, sometimes requires the student to prepare and defend a thesis.

How many years is a PhD in law?

PhD, or Doctor of Law degree, is a three-year specialized law degree. The PhD curriculum comprises classroom work, and aspirants can complete the program in as little as six years. Candidates who have finished their LLM/ PhD in Law from a recognized university are eligible to study PhD as a course.

Is a PhD worth it in law?

It most definitely is worth it . A PhD enables you to move globally rather than being restricted to one jurisdiction - and law is very 'jurisdiction-specific'.

How do you get a J.D. degree?

Students have to complete law school in order to receive the degree of Juris Doctor which posses the academic standing of a professional doctorate in the United States of America, in contrast to a research doctorate.

Is JD higher or LLM?

A Juris Doctor (JD) is a foundational and terminal law degree program that is typically a prerequisite for a Master of Laws (LLM) degree program. JD degree programs are usually broader in their legal scope, while LLM degree programs are highly specialized .

What are the 4 main types of law?

• Eternal Law.
• Divine Law.
• Natural Law.
• Human or Positive Law.

Is a JD better than an LLM?

A J.D. prepares someone to practice law, while an LLM provides advanced training . An LLM will provide you with advanced training in law, but it doesn't qualify you as a licensed lawyer. A JD prepares you for legal practice by teaching you everything you need to pass the bar exam and be an effective lawyer.

Should I put PhD after my name?

The titles associated with the various doctoral degrees are not interchangeable. Only a person who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree should be addressed as Ph. D.

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MD PhD vs MD: Which is best for you?

If you find yourself struggling between pursuing an MD PhD vs MD degree, you've come to the right place. In this blog, we'll explore the similarities and differences between medical doctors and physician-scientists to help you determine how to choose the pathway that is best suited for you.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 7 min read

Md phd vs md: education.

While those with MD PhD and MD degrees are both medical doctors, MD PhD graduates also possess a PhD and are therefore known as physician-scientists or medical scientists. Obtaining this extra degree requires a different program structure and length compared to MD programs. MD PhD programs are generally 7-8 years in length and require attendance at both medical and graduate school. MD programs, on the other hand, will be completed in four years, half the time it will take MD PhD students. While both programs are classroom-based during the first two years, MD PhD students will move on to graduate school to complete their PhD thesis for between 3-4 years. They will then return to medical school for a year or two completing clinical rotations. Both MD PhD and MD graduates will complete their residency training for between 3-7 years before being licensed to practice medicine.

MD PhD vs MD: Application and Tuition

Whether you're interested in an MD PhD or an MD program, the application process is similar. You'll apply to most programs through AMCAS where you'll complete all sections of the application including the AMCAS work and activities section and you'll upload your coursework, letters of evaluation, and medical school personal statement . Make sure to find out if the schools of your choice require you to take CASPer test. If so, start practicing using CASPer sample questions as soon as you can. In addition to the standard application components, MD PhD applicants will have to complete two additional essays that describe both their reasons for pursuing an MD PhD degree and their research experience. Review our medical school application timelines  blog to ensure you're aware of the application process and corresponding deadlines.

It's no secret that both MD PhD and MD programs are extremely competitive, with acceptance rates on average between 1-4%. There are far fewer MD PhD programs available compared with MD programs and the large benefit of reduced or waived tuition makes for even higher competition, especially in MSTPs vs MD programs. It's a good idea to use our medical school chance predictor to see how your grades and test scores compare with the average scores of accepted individuals into either program. Last year, MD PhD matriculants had an average MCAT score of 516 and an average GPA of 3.80 compared with the 511.5 MCAT score and 3.73 GPA of MD matriculants. So, we can see that in order to be a competitive MD PhD applicant, you'll have to possess a higher GPA and MCAT score than if you were to apply as an MD applicant. Of course, the level of competition varies between schools, and there are certainly MD programs that receive a high volume of applicants competing for few spots making some MD programs more competitive than MD-PhD programs, it's entirely dependant on the school, program, and application cycle.

MD PhD vs MD: Career Outlook and Salary

Although it may seem obvious that students who graduate from MD programs become medical doctors and most practice medicine at hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and private practices, some students are unsure of what a career looks like as a physician-scientist. Many MD PhD graduates choose to complete their residency training in internal medicine, pathology, pediatrics, and neurology, however, many other specialties are also represented, from surgery to radiology to emergency medicine. Internal medicine is also a common specialty choice for MD graduates as well as pediatrics, emergency medicine, and family medicine. According to a study conducted by the AAMC, nearly 80% of all MD PhD graduates enjoy careers as faculty members at medical schools or work for the National Institute of Health (NIH), other research institutions, industry, and federal agencies with many devoting a large portion of their time to research. Also, out of roughly 7000 MD-PhD alumni that took part in this study, 82% said that they would partake in MD-PhD training again, even if they had the chance to go back in time and change their mind.

Physician-scientists not only possess in-depth knowledge in the medical field, they also have knowledge of population health and disease and will be trained to conduct independent research and analysis. With this dual degree, physician-scientists are highly valued for their ability to treat patients while also contributing to detecting health threats, developing new treatments, therapies or even cures. Physician-scientists working in academia can teach and provide clinical service, while also conducting their own, or joint, research. The annual salary for physician-scientists is usually between $60,000-$115,000, depending on the type and place of employment.

Physicians manage and support the health and well-being of those in their care. Through physical examinations, diagnostic testing, treatment, and communication, they can manage and significantly improve the health of their patients. Depending on the type of physician, they may perform surgeries and treat either general or specific illness and disease. Annual salaries generally correspond to level of training and specialization and usually range from $180,000-$280,000

For some, from the moment they put on safety glasses in science class or that time they resuscitate their childhood teddy bear, they knew what they were going to be when they grew up. Not everyone has an immediate passion or the typical “aha” moment later on in life. Sometimes, a student's drive to medicine or research develops later on in life, through experiences, education or even while overcoming hardships, and this is perfectly normal. So, what if you have a passion for both science and medicine? How can you choose whether to pursue an MD degree or a joint MD PhD degree? It's important to choose only once you've considered a variety of factors and are 100% sure in your decision, because the reality is, neither option will be easy and you'll have to be willing to invest the time, money, and effort to be successful.

Find out what drives you.

Start by thinking about what you're interested in and what motivates you to help you determine where your true passions lie. If you know that you are really interested in medicine and in helping others but only have a slight interest in research, then it's probably a good idea to pursue medicine on its own. At nearly twice the length of an MD program, the MD PhD program is no walk in the park. Students should only pursue this joint degree if they have a serious passion for both medicine and research. In addition to feeling passionate about treating patients, if you find yourself interested in the mechanisms behind disease, are curious about the unknowns and can't picture a career that doesn't involve research, it's a good sign that the joint program will be suitable for you.

Determining whether or not you are interested in becoming a medical doctor or a physician-scientist is the first and most important decision you'll have to make when deciding between the two pathways. If you're motivated by your passions, you're likely to enjoy your career because it's actually what you want to do. By putting in the time and effort to be the best version of yourself, you'll have a fulfilling rewarding career.

So, how can you know for sure which path is the best for you? Gain experience in the field well in advance of filling out your applications. This will be closest you'll get to test drive your potential career choice. If you're struggling to decide between an MD and MD PhD program, be sure to gain both clinical and research experience. This will be a great way for you to get hands-on experience in both fields to see which areas really spark your interest and which areas you're not as keen on. Learn how to ask to shadow a doctor , sign up for volunteering experiences that place you in the medical or research field, and partake in scientific experiments where you'll be testing hypotheses to gain research experience. Not only will these experiences be essential when filling out your medical school applications, the key is that through a variety of different experiences, you'll be able to hone in on your interests.

Consider the affordability of each program.

According to the AAMC, approximately 76% of medical school students graduate with debt. For the students that borrow money, the median debt is approximately $200,000 at public medical schools. Of course, with an average physician salary of $300,000, this debt can be repaid, but it can be a rocky start for students as they begin entering their careers. A major benefit of MD PhD programs is the fact that most programs partially cover or completely waive tuition for enrolled students, and many also provide a stipend that can be used to cover the costs of living expenses. Due to this, some students can finish their training debt-free, and potentially even with a decent amount of savings. Now, this isn't to say that you should simply pick a program based on the cost but it's an important factor to consider if you want to pursue either option. What's important is that you pick your path depending on which best aligns with your interests, motivations, and short and long term career goals.

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Law and Medicine

Three of the world’s most high-impact fields — law, medicine, and biosciences — come together in Stanford Law’s JD/MD program.

Stanford is one of just a handful of universities with top-ranked schools of both law and medicine as well as a robust program in biosciences. A university-wide tradition of encouraging and nurturing innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration — along with a location in Silicon Valley, with its thriving biotech and medtech industries — makes Stanford a particularly welcoming home for work that merges these three dynamic disciplines.

A JD/MD degree is not for everyone. Although overlapping classes can be used to reduce seven years of study (four for an MD, three for a JD) to around six, both programs provide intense challenges. The results, however, are an unparalleled immersion in law, medicine, and biosciences; credibility in all three fields; and the ability to work at their intersection. A JD/MD may be particularly useful for people seeking to work in health law, health policy, biotechnology, or bioethics; in academia, government, or the private sector.

Students must apply to and be admitted by both JD and MD programs separately. After admission, law school and medical school advisors help students plan a schedule that makes the joint program workable.

Course Requirements

There are no specific course requirements for this joint program beyond the completion of the requirements for the degree. Some courses, however, may qualify toward completion of both degrees. Students will also be likely to want to take the law school courses most relevant to medicine and health care.

Note to applicants:  The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program awards full funding to Stanford graduate students from all disciplines, with additional opportunities for leadership training and collaboration across fields. Joint Degree applicants are encouraged to apply to the  Knight – Hennessy Scholars Program.  Please be aware that the Knight-Hennessy Scholars applications are due in early Autumn one year prior to enrollment. View dates and deadlines: knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/dates-and-deadlines .

Henry T. Greely

• Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law
• Director, Center for Law and the Biosciences
• Professor, by courtesy, Genetics
• Chair, Steering Committee of the Center for Biomedical Ethics
• Director, Stanford Program in Neuroscience and Society

Daniel P. Kessler

• Professor of Law
• Keith and Jan Hurlbut Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

Michelle M. Mello

• Professor of Health Policy

David M. Studdert

• Vice Provost and Dean of Research

The physical proximity of Stanford’s schools and the university’s genuine openness to interdisciplinary work make it easy for a law student to take advantage of the many possibilities Stanford offers. This joint degree program draws on:

Stanford School of Medicine Stanford Biodesign Center for Biomedical Ethics Center for Law and the Biosciences

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., popular combined degree programs for mds.

Why consider a combined degree? If you’re ready to take on the extra time and commitment, a combined degree can maximize your options and opportunities after you complete med school . The Association of American Medical Colleges offers a complete list of medical schools with combined degree programs. Here’s our overview of the most popular degrees to pursue while earning an MD: the MS, MPH, MBA, JD, and PhD.

MD/MS (Master of Science)

Medical students with a specific research interest can often pursue a Master of Science degree. At many universities, MS degrees are offered through the school of medicine, so it can be fairly easy to apply for complete a master's in a health-science field.

Usually, students finish the first two years of medical school, then take a year of coursework towards their master's degree before returning to complete the final two years of their medical program. Depending on the school and the field, a combined MD/MS takes between five and six years of full-time study.

MD/MPH (Master of Public Health)

Public health degrees cover subjects from biostatistics and epidemiology to women's health, disease control and preventive medicine. Graduates of MD/MPH programs can combine their clinical expertise with knowledge of public-health issues, giving them the background for careers in research, policy, advocacy and consulting.

Most students apply for admission to the school of public health during their second year of medical school and begin coursework after the second or third year.

MD/MBA (Master of Business Administration)

The MD/MBA attracts students who plan to serve on the executive team at a hospital or health-care facility, as a high-level executive in the healthcare industry or as a consultant. The MD/MBA can also be enormously useful to doctors with private practices, which call for management skills and business savvy.

If you're thinking of this route, you must complete prerequisite coursework for medical school and business school prior to matriculation at medical school. You must also take the GMAT as well as the MCAT . In addition, certain business schools have work requirements and recommendation preferences that differ from medical schools.

Read More: Affordable MBA degrees are available online. Find the best programs here.

MD/JD (Juris Doctor)

JD/MD programs are typically suited to students who intend to work in government and policy, to serve on the executive team of a hospital, to practice as lawyer focusing on medical issues, or to practice forensic medicine. If you're considering this course, you'd be well advised to prepare for and take the LSAT before you start medical school. Gaining admission to both the law and medical school is no small feat at a top-tier university.

Students who pursue the MD/JD generally apply to the law program at the university in their first or second year of medical school. Because special arrangements must be made for this joint degree, you should discuss your path with the admissions committees at both schools.

MD/PhD and Medical Scientist Training Programs

Students who are interested in a career in academic investigative medicine choose the MD/PhD path, garnering the clinical skills of medical school while becoming an expert in a specific research field. Typically, MD/PhD programs  take about seven or eight years to complete and incorporate intensive, long-term research in the biomedical sciences. After graduation, the MD/PhD student usually works as a researcher or professor at a teaching hospital. These students may also earn substantial salaries working as medical scientists at private health-care companies.

A number of U.S. medical schools allow students to pursue a combined MD/PhD, of which the most well recognized are members of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Students who are admitted to these highly competitive programs receive full tuition coverage, living expenses and a stipend.

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Jd/md degree in law & medicine, partner school: school of medicine, program length: 12 semesters.

This six-year program is designed for students interested in both medicine and the legal aspects of medicine. It links the MD degree with intensive training in the law and provides a full JD education with an additional focus in the health sector. Completion of the law degree will prepare graduates of the dual degree program for careers in health law practice, as well as healthcare systems and healthcare policy, in both government and private sectors. Graduates of the program will also gain the qualifications to practice law and/or medicine, depending on their career direction.

Program Requirements

The MD/JD program is conducted under the joint auspices of the  School of Medicine  and the School of Law. Students complete the first three years of the  medical school curriculum  and then spend their fourth and fifth year fully integrated into the  JD program  at the School of Law. During these two years, they complete most of their JD education. In the sixth year, students complete their remaining medical courses and JD credits.

To earn both degrees, students must successfully complete the required classroom and clinical coursework for the MD and the required coursework for the JD. Students must earn the grade of Pass or Honor in all MD courses and achieve a final grade point average of 2.3 in their JD courses.

Admissions Requirements

Eligibility requirements for the MD/JD program are the same as the  traditional MD program  plus the requirements for the  JD program . Students will submit separate applications to both the medical school and the law school. Applicants should attach a letter to both the School of Medicine and the School of Law stating that they are applying to the combined MD/JD program. It is also possible for students to apply for the MD/JD program after they have begun medical school.

Students pay tuition to—and thus will be eligible for financial aid from—the School of Law during the semesters they are completing credits in the JD program (years 4 and 5 and the spring semester of year 6). For more information, please contact the Financial Aid office at 617-353-3160 or  [email protected] .

Contact Information

Dr. Megan Sandel, Associate Professor Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine 617-414-368 [email protected]

Chloe A. Mathews, Esq. Associate Director of Admissions School of Law 617-353-7751 [email protected]

Dual Degrees

PhD vs MD vs MD PhD – What’s right for you?

• Cracking Med School Admissions Team

For some students, choosing between a career in medicine and one in science seems like an impossible task. Many times, students will engage in research during college and develop an interest in medicine and do not want to give up the ability to do both by pursuing either a PhD or MD. Recognizing this desire, many medical schools have also created MD-PhD combined programs that allow students to get both degrees. With the plethora of options offered for graduate degrees coming out of college, many applicants are unsure of which program is best for them.

In this blog post, we will cover the following topics:

• PhD vs MD vs MD PhD?

What are the differences between PhD vs MD?

• MD vs MD PhD – which is right for a future doctor?
• Pros and Cons of MD PhD
• Complete List of MSTP Programs
• Resources for future MD PhD Applicants

Our Students Were Accepted at These MD PhD Programs!

PhD vs MD vs MD PhD

Before we analyze the differences between these programs, we will clearly define what each program consists of.

What is a PhD? PhD programs are funded graduate doctoral degree programs ranging from 4-8 years offered by research universities to teach and mentor graduates to contribute to research in their field, develop societal solutions, and train the next generation of scientists.

What is an MD? MD degrees are granted by allopathic medical schools in the United States, last four years, and prepare graduates to enter the world of medicine as physicians, usually through continued training in residency and fellowship programs.

What is an MD PhD program? MD/PhD programs are funded programs that last 7-9 years and train graduates to be clinical and academic leaders as both physicians and researchers who work closely with patients but also dedicate a significant amount of their time to researching areas adjacent to medicine to improve knowledge and treatment protocols.

When deciding PhD vs MD vs MD PhD, most students will first need to decide what aspects of science are most interesting to them – do they enjoy the interpersonal interactions or working with the biology itself to make new discoveries? First, let’s look at the differences between a PhD vs MD. There are three core differences between getting a PhD and an MD: career opportunities, admissions and training, and cost.

Career Options

As rigorous and prestigious degree programs, both MDs and PhDs have a plethora of career opportunities available to them. Most graduates from MD programs elected to continue their training by completing a residency and fellowship to become specialized and practice medicine. Nonetheless some graduates also choose to pursue alternative careers in public health, business, or education. In fact, 32% of graduates from Stanford’s MD program [1] chose not to a pursue a residency, many drawn by the allure of alternative ways to produce impact in society.

PhD graduates tend to have slightly more options, in both the academic and professional spheres. Many PhD candidates choose to pursue the established path of joining a research university to perform their research while teaching undergraduate and graduate students. This path often is best suited for those extremely passionate about their research topics who seek to mentor younger researchers and students but suffers from department politics attached to rising up professorial ranks and difficulties in receiving funding in certain disciplines.

Many other graduates choose to pursue non-academic work, whether it is joining an established industry company, starting their own companies, or working in public sector agencies. In these endeavors, they are able to leverage much of their subject matter expertise to conduct research, assess business operations and growth options, and contribute to public health or public works initiatives. At the same time, many graduates who take this path may find themselves drifting away from their academic routes and may find a slightly more fast-paced lifestyle than in academia.

Whether you pursue and MD degree or PhD degree, there are several post-graduate career options. 

Admissions and Training

Admissions and training processes and timelines are also highly variable between MD and PhD paths, and require different planning for each.

MD Admissions and Training: MD programs often have extremely long admissions timelines, often starting two years before matriculation when many students begin studying for the MCAT (the medical school admissions exam). In addition, the increasing expectations of applicants has resulted in an increasing number of students taking gap years to adequately prepare to apply. After applying and matriculating, medical students have four years of medical school, followed by anywhere from 3-10 years of post-graduate specialization training. Furthermore, applications often have multiple components, require in-person interviews, and have delayed decision timelines.

PhD Admissions and Training: In contrast, PhD programs have relatively simpler timelines, with most students applying the winter before they plan to matriculate, with many schools not requiring standardized testing (GRE) to apply. After applying, many students receive interviews within a few weeks and an admissions decision soon after. After matriculating, program length can differ significantly, but usually consists of 5-8 years of graduate research and training before one is able to complete their degree.

Despite recruiting students with similar skillsets and backgrounds, medical school and graduate PhD programs have radically different cost structures. While pursuing an MD is a costly endeavor (often ranging from $200-400k), PhDs are usually fully funded and most students receive a generous living stipend. With this in mind, one would assume that most students would naturally gravitate to a PhD. However, while the median biology PhD starting salary is $100k [2] , the median starting salary for a physician is double – at $200k [2] – such that many physicians recoup the cost of their education in the long term. Although the ultimate decision will depend on your desire to take on loans and your career and training area preferences, cost is undoubtably an important component of this decision as well.

What are the differences between MD vs MD PhD

Differences between MD and MD-PhD admissions are neither widely discussed nor well understood, mostly because only 6-7% of students applying to medical school choose to pursue this path. [4]  

MD-PhD programs are one of many dual-degree programs offered by medical schools and allow you to receive medical training while developing expertise in a particular research area. Your research focus can range from hard science like molecular biology and genetics to the social sciences like sociology. Since you would be getting two degrees, a MD-PhD program is designed to take 7-8 years, instead of 4 years for medical school and 5-6 years for a PhD. Usually, MD-PhD candidates will spend their first two years doing pre-clinical coursework with MD students. After completing their pre-medical requirements and taking the STEP 1 exam, MD-PhD students will usually take 3-5 years for their doctoral studies before they return for their final two years of clinical rotations.

In the United States, there are approximately 130 MD-PhD programs and 45 of these programs are known as Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP) programs. MSTP programs are funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and are very competitive as they offer full tuition coverage, support with living expenses, and a stipend. While some MD-PhD programs are funded by institutions, many of them may not offer the same financial support as an MSTP program.

Since the key difference between the MD and MD-PhD program is the emphasis on research, make sure that you will be able to demonstrate a longstanding commitment to research and that you have tangibly and significantly contributed to research projects, which can take the form of presentations or serving as an author on papers. Also, make sure that your research mentor is prepared to submit a strong recommendation to attest to your readiness for such a rigorous program.

Only 6-7% of medical school applicants apply as an MD PhD candidate

AMCAS most meaningful activity example #2: This applicant chose to write about his work in the emergency room. You can see both the 700 character AMCAS activity description and the 1325 character AMCAS most meaningful essay.

Pros and Cons of Applying MD PhD

Pros of applying md phd vs md, why md phd #1: tuition funding .

There is no doubting it – medical school is very expensive. Since many MD-PhD programs are fully funded with a living stipend on top, many MD-PhD candidates feel that they are being “paid” to pursue this education. While many of their medical school classmates will graduate with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt, most MD-PhD candidates will not incur any cost during the course of their degree, attracting many looking to avoid accumulating further debt in addition to whatever was accrued during college. Although this funding seems attractive at first, it is important to remember that it comes at the cost of four more years, which could be time spent earning an attending’s salary. Depending on your choice of specialty, receiving this funding could actually be a negative if you aren’t interested in research.

Why MD PhD #2: Allows you to pursue 2 passions

If you are unable to decide between science and medicine, or want to pursue both, applying to an MD-PhD program will allow you to bridge these two disciplines and enjoy the best of both worlds. Many MD-PhD candidates believe that their professional careers would be incomplete without both research and medicine or seek to combine these two passions in their career. These are the exact candidates that MD-PhD programs exist for as they open up many opportunities that may not be available for regular MD students. Especially if you hope to have a career in academia or research-based medical universities, the skills and competencies of doing research and applying for grants is highly prized.

Why MD PhD #3: Receive great research and medical training in a shorter time period

It is undeniable that the condensed time frame of the MD-PhD program is highly appealing to those who seek to pursue both degrees. Instead of taking 9-10 years if completed separately, an MD-PhD program is highly integrated and structured to allow you to focus on one pursuit at a time while still providing continuity so that you can do research during your medical training and medical volunteering while completing your doctoral work. This blend allows for the shorter time period and still allows you to benefit from receiving high quality science and medical instruction.

Cons of Applying MD PhD vs MD

Why not apply md phd #1: time to complete degree .

Although the condensed format is ideal for those who have their hearts set on getting both an MD and a PhD, if you are unsure about pursuing both degrees or have a clear preference for one, the significantly longer educational period is a major factor to consider. A major aspect of the admission process for the MD-PhD is determining if you are prepared to make an almost decade-long commitment to a discipline, institution, and city. The projected 7-8 years to complete an MD-PhD is just that – a projection. Many times, there are factors both inside and outside of your control that can cause this number to vary greatly and increase to up to 10 years. Furthermore, since many people start their MD-PhDs at 23 or 24 years old, they often complete their residency in their late 30s, a fundamentally different time of your life where many of your friends from college may already have families and have been in the workforce for over a decade.

Why not apply MD PhD #2: You can still do research without a PhD

Although MD-PhD students learn how to apply for grants and the research skills necessary to drive their future academic careers, many MD students often pick up these skills if they take a research year, pursue a master’s degree, or spend a significant amount of time doing research in residency and beyond. In fact, while many researchers in academic institutions are PhDs or MD-PhDs, there are also numerous MDs who spend a large amount of their time dedicated to both clinical and basic science research. Furthermore, if your research interests are solely clinical in nature, you may be better served developing these skills in a residency or pursuing a master’s degree than pursuing an MD-PhD, which is usually more suited for basic scientists. Another downside to the MD-PhD is that while you will be focused on trying to pursue two separate paths as a clinician and scientists, many of your peers will be spending all of their time focusing on one of the two, which may put you at a disadvantage compared to them.

Why not apply MD PhD #3: May limit specialty choice

Finally, while MD-PhD students can technically pursue any residency after they graduate medical school, there is often a push to place them in less competitive and non-surgical specialties where they will have less clinical time and therefore more time to dedicate to their research work. Since surgical specialties are highly procedural, research is often a secondary consideration and usually not as prized as surgical dexterity. Furthermore, since you are more valuable to an academic center as a surgeon performing high value elective procedures than as a researcher, there is often a push to have surgeons focus on their clinical work. Similarly, many MD-PhDs may be encouraged to pursue less competitive specialties where they have more time to focus on their research work or where their research funding may be more valuable than the money they bring in from being a clinician. Although an MD-PhD student is free to pursue any specialty that they desire, these pressures are commonplace and often can stifle strong clinical preferences in favor of research potential.

List of MSTP Programs

As stated earlier, MSTP MD PhD programs are fully funded by the National Institutes of Health. 

As of 2021, here is the list of MSTP MD PhD programs by state.

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine http://www.uab.edu/medicine/mstp

Stanford University  http://med.stanford.edu/mstp.html

University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine https://vstp.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine http://www.mstp.uci.edu

University of California, Los Angeles & Cal Tech California Institute of Technology David Geffen School of Medicine http://mstp.healthsciences.ucla.edu

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine http://mstp.ucsd.edu

University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine https://mstp.ucsf.edu/

University of Colorado Denver http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/education/degree_programs/mstp/pages/MSTP.aspx

Connecticut

Yale University School of Medicine http://medicine.yale.edu/mdphd

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine http://mdphd.med.miami.edu

Emory University School of Medicine M.D./Ph.D. Program http://med.emory.edu/MDPHD

Northwestern University Medical School http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/mstp

University of Chicago Medical Scientist Training Program https://pritzker.uchicago.edu/academics/mstp-landing-page

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine http://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/mstp

Indiana University School of Medicine, MSTP https://medicine.iu.edu/education/dual-degrees/

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine https://medicine.uiowa.edu/mstp?

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine https://mdphd.johnshopkins.edu/

University of Maryland School of Medicine http://mdphd.umaryland.edu

Massachusetts

Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There are two MD/PhD programs through Pathways and HST. Read more about Harvard Medical School here:  https://crackingmedadmissions.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-medical-school/ http://www.hms.harvard.edu/md_phd

Tufts University School of Medicine http://sackler.tufts.edu/Academics/MSTP-Welcome

University of Massachusetts Medical School http://umassmed.edu/mdphd

University of Michigan Medical School http://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/education/mdphd-program

University of Minnesota Medical School http://www.med.umn.edu/mdphd

Mayo Medical School https://college.mayo.edu/academics/biomedical-research-training/medical-scientist-training-program-md-phd/

Washington University School of Medicine http://mstp.wustl.edu

Albert Einstein College of Medicine http://www.einstein.yu.edu/education/mstp

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/mdphd

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai http://icahn.mssm.edu/education/graduate/md-phd-program

New York University School of Medicine http://www.med.nyu.edu/sackler/mdphd-program

Stony Brook University https://medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/mstp

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/md/md-phd

Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD PhD  Program http://weill.cornell.edu/mdphd

North Carolina

Duke University Medical Center https://medschool.duke.edu/education/degree-programs-and-admissions/medical-scientist-training-program

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine http://www.med.unc.edu/mdphd

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine http://mstp.cwru.edu

Ohio State University College of Medicine http://medicine.osu.edu/mstp

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine MSTP http://www.med.uc.edu/MSTP

Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine http://www.ohsu.edu/mdphd

Pennsylvania

Penn State College of Medicine http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/mdphd

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine http://www.med.upenn.edu/mstp

University of Pittsburgh http://www.mdphd.pitt.edu

South Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina https://education.musc.edu/colleges/graduate-studies/academics/dual-degree/mstp

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine MSTP https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/mstp

Baylor College of Medicine MSTP https://www.bcm.edu/education/programs/md-phd-program

University of Texas Health Science Center Houston Department of Internal Medicine https://gsbs.uth.edu/mdphd/

University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Department of Neurology, Pharmacology, and Physiology https://lsom.uthscsa.edu/mimg/

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/

University of Virginia Health System MSTP Program http://mstp.med.virginia.edu

University of Washington School of Medicine http://www.mstp.washington.edu

Medical College of Wisconsin MSTP https://www.mcw.edu/education/medical-scientist-training-program

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health http://mstp.med.wisc.edu

Read our medical school profiles to learn more about each individual school. 

Now that we have reviewed what MD, PhD, and MD-PhD degrees consists of and how to apply, as well as some of the pros and cons of pursuing a MD-PhD program, we hope that you can make an informed decision about your graduate education! Even if you choose not to pursue an MD or PhD, many institutions have accelerated programs that allow MD or PhD graduates to complete the other degree in a shorter timeframe. Similarly, many medical schools even allow students to apply to add a PhD portion onto their education before they begin their clinical training. Regardless of whichever path is right for you, all three offer incredible opportunities to pursue scientific passions and work towards solving societal issues.

Here are some Cracking Med School Admissions Resources you will find helpful as you think about MD PhD programs:

• How To Shadow A Doctor
• Resume, CV, and Cover Letter Edits
• Premed Timeline: Planning For Medical School Applications

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M.D/J.D. Program

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) offer a 6-year combined M.D./J.D. Dual Degree Program.  This highly specialized combination of skills is intended for those individuals wishing to pursue careers in areas where medicine and law intersect.

Baylor College of Medicine is ranked #22 in the list of Best Medical Schools, placing BCM in the top 15% of all US Medical Schools (2023 US News & World Report annual list of top graduate schools).

The University of Houston Law Center is ranked #60 in Best Law Schools and #9 in Health Care Law (2023 US News & World Report annual list of top law schools).

Is an M.D./J.D. right for me?

It may be helpful to start by asking yourself a few questions:

• Do you plan practice primarily law or medicine? 
• If you plan to practice law, are you interested in fields related to healthcare (e.g., medical malpractice litigation, intellectual property work)? 
• If you plan to practice medicine, will you complete a residency program? If so, will it be directly related to your expertise in law (e.g., forensic psychiatry or psychology)?  Are you interested in opening or joining a private practice where a legal background is advantageous?

What can you do with an M.D./J.D.?

A dual degree prepares graduates to pursue a career in law, medicine, or both.  

Typically, graduates primarily working in health care have completed residency training in the specialty of their choice.  M.D./J.Ds. frequently work in highly litigious specialties (e.g., anesthesiology or obstetrics and gynecology) or specialties related to the law (e.g., forensic psychology or pathology).  It is common to find them working in academic medical centers, though there are some physicians who pursue a dual degree with the intent of opening a medical practice.

For graduates choosing careers primarily in law, there are many opportunities to utilize the dual degree including work in public health/health policy, biotechnology, hospital administration, intellectual property, food and drug law, or medical malpractice.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a dual degree?

Obtaining a medical degree and a law degree separately requires a 7-year commitment (4 for medical school and 3 for law school).  The M.D./J.D. dual degree program significantly shortens that timeline by allowing the completion of both degrees in only 6 years.  In addition to the time savings, it is financially advantageous with only 2 years of additional cost rather than 3. Due to the compressed timeline, completion of the law degree in 2 years requires summer coursework to meet all degree requirements.

Pursuing a dual degree is a significant monetary investment.  You will want to consider whether you think your future earning potential with both degrees will offset the additional cost of pursuing the dual degree.

Program Structure

Students entering the M.D./J.D. dual degree program will spend a total of 72 months (six years) in pursuit of both degrees. During the 6 years, 4 are spent at BCM and 2 are spent at UHLC.  Students attend only one program at a time. There is no concurrent coursework.

Admitted students matriculate into the BCM in the fall with all other M.D. candidates. The student remains full-time at BCM for three full academic years of coursework and clinical rotations before moving to UHLC to begin law school. 

When matriculating into UHLC, students take a leave of absence from BCM to engage in full-time legal study for a period of 24 months, including at least one summer session.  Law school coursework during the summer allows for completion of the 3-year degree in the 2-year timeframe. The BCM Office of the Registrar and Office of Student Affairs help ensure a smooth transition between the campuses.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for admission to UHLC.  Students may take the LSAT and apply for admission to UHLC up to the fall of the MS3 year.

Prospective students apply and are accepted independently to BCM and UHLC.  Admitted BCM students may take the LSAT and apply for admission to UHLC through the fall of their MS3 year.

Students must be in good academic standing at BCM before entering the J.D. portion of the degree program.

For information regarding the admissions process at each school, please contact the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and the University of Houston Law Center Admissions directly.

Degree Requirements

Baylor College of Medicine:

Students must satisfactorily complete 81.5 credits in the pre-clerkship curriculum with a passing grade. Students must satisfactorily complete 74.5 credits in the core clinical clerkships and all other coursework required for graduation. Students must earn 16 elective credits.  

Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine .

University of Houston Law Center:

Students must complete and pass a total of 90 credit hours, 64 of which must have letter grades.

Course Catalogue .

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students in the M.D./J.D. dual degree program will be charged tuition according to the rates effective at the school in which they are enrolled each term. For more information regarding tuition and financial aid, prospective students should contact the Baylor  Office of Student Financial Aid , the  Office of Student Account Services and the University of Houston Law Center Scholarships and Financial Aid .

M.D./J.D. Dual Degree Program Directors

BCM:  Susan Raine, M.D., J.D., LLM, MEd University of Houston:  Jessica Roberts, J.D.

Understanding Psychological Degrees

Breaking down the acronyms and degree designations you'll encounter..

Posted December 5, 2019 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

Congratulations! You decided you would benefit from therapy . In and of itself, this is no easy feat, which requires a great deal of self-reflection and curiosity into your own mind.

You Google “therapists near you” and a bunch of letters and degrees come up: M.D., Ph.D., Psy.D, LCSW…the list goes on. Truly, it is ridiculous that a person outside of the field of psychology is expected to know what each of these degrees and modalities mean without several hours of research. So here are some short cuts to help you.

Ph.D. : This is a doctorate degree. Most therapists will have this degree in clinical or counseling psychology if they are a practicing clinician. What this means is that they went to school for approximately 5-7 years, studied both research and clinical practice, wrote a dissertation, and participated in a number of clinical rotations to prepare them for graduation and licensing. This person should not only have knowledge of the current field of practicing clinical psychology, but also the current research in the field and how to interpret and implement that work, for example through a variety of evidence-based practices.

M.D. : This is also a doctorate degree, but also a physician. This person went to medical school. Most MDs in the mental health field are psychiatrists, and are allowed to prescribe psychotropic medication which may or may not be helpful in supplementing therapy. There are some psychiatrists who also do therapy, but this is not necessarily the norm. Most psychiatrists hold shorter appointments than that of a psychologist, and may meet with you less frequently.

PsyD : This is also a doctorate degree. This person will have also gone to school for approximately five years, but most PsyD training programs lack the research component of that of a Ph.D. program. PsyD degrees are beginning to be compared in the same way a DO and MD are said to be related (and unrelated) to one another in the medical field. This person is a doctor and likely just as capable as providing treatment as a Ph.D.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) : This person has a master's degree in social work. This means they went to school for two years, and participated in a number of clinical rotations to prepare them for licensure. Social workers don’t receive as much training as those with a doctorate, but will be knowledgeable about various kinds of therapy and capable to implement them. There is a wide range of positions that an individual with a social work degree can perform, but a licensed clinical social worker likely obtained this license with the goal of becoming a clinical practitioner.

So when choosing the right practitioner, do your research on their credentials and degree information. It will definitely be worth your while.

Stay Curious,

Konstantin Lukin, Ph.D. , is a psychologist in private practice who specializes in helping men and couples achieve their therapeutic goals.

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