MSTP Overall Training Plan
In 2014, a renewal of the CCOM medical curriculum occurred, accompanied by two major changes. First, preclinical instruction was shortened from four to three semesters. Second, the preclinical curriculum was redesigned to integrate basic science content with pathophysiology and clinical application, delivered in a “triple helix” of interwoven strands. The three helical strands are:
- Mechanisms of Health and Disease
- Medicine and Society
- Clinical and Professional Skills
The strands are interwoven in a helical spiral that assures not only integration of material but also affords the deliberate revisiting of material in a manner that promotes progressively deeper understanding and mastery. Instruction occurs in both lecture and small group self-directed team-learning formats. Longitudinal mentored clinical experiences start in the first week of medical school.
After the three-semester preclinical phase of training, MSTP students continue on to complete all core clinical clerkships with the Carver College of Medicine.
After completing their third year of medical school and their core clinical clerkships they complete a Step 1 and Step 2 study block and take Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).
Next, they enter the PhD phase of training, typically beginning their thesis research in the summer following their third year of medical school.
After 3.5 to 4.5 years of PhD training, students transition back to complete ~18 months of elective clinical clerkships, typically graduating in the spring semester of Year 7 or Year 8.
The MSTP integrates programming and advising throughout the entire course of study to provide continuity, program identity, mentoring, and enrichment, and to emphasize intersections between science and medicine throughout the entire period of training.