Dual Degree Programs

Michael Smith, PhD, Dual Degree Program Director
Research and Education 302L
Phone: 817-735-2514
E-mail: michael.smith@unthsc.edu

UNTHSC also offers numerous dual degree opportunities bridging the MPAS and DO degrees with the MPH, MHA, MS and PhD degrees within the School of Public Health and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Future dual degree opportunities will also be offered to students pursuing the DPT and PharmD degrees. For details, please see the section on the Multidisciplinary Programs within this catalog.

DO/MS Format

Block 1. Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a "B" average within the medical curriculum and must pass Parts 1 and 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program Advisory Committee, the appropriate TCOM associate dean and the GSBS dean.

During Block 1, the student will select a graduate advisory committee and file an approved graduate degree plan of at least 30 SCH (which includes 6 SCH advanced standing awarded for the basic science didactic course work required in the DO curriculum) with the GSBS Office of Admissions and Services.

Block 2. Block 2 consists of at least one year dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all course work required for the MS degree, file an approved thesis research proposal, and make significant progress toward the completion of the thesis research.

UNTHSC may provide financial support during Block 2 to students chosen for the MSTP by the dual program admissions committee to seek the DO/PhD. Students who are not selected to participate in the MSTP often receive funding during Block 2 from other sources, including research grants, departmental assistantships and other departmental funds. All dual degree program students are eligible to apply for financial aid.

Block 3. During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations. During this block, the student may also continue work toward the MS thesis.

At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed at least 24 additional SCH of graduate courses under the GSBS, as required for the second degree, including the thesis. Following completion of the curricula required for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the MS through GSBS.

		DO	MS
Block 1	Year 1	Semesters 1-2	Lab Rotations (optional)
	Year 2	Semesters 3-4	Lab Rotations (optional), Preparation of Individual Research
	Year 3	Core Clinical Rotations	Research rotation month
Block 2	Year 4	1 Clinical Rotation	GSBS courses and thesis research
Block 3	Year 5	Final Clinical Rotations	Completion of thesis research and final seminar/defense

 

DO/PhD Format

Block 1. Block 1 consists of the preclinical years for the DO degree. During Block 1, the student will complete the first three years of the DO curriculum, must maintain a "B" average within the medical curriculum and must pass Parts 1 and 2 of the College of Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). During this block, the student will register only for courses within the TCOM curriculum. An exception to these rules may be made only with the approval of the Dual Degree Program Advisory Committee, the appropriate TCOM associate dean and the GSBS dean.

During Block 1, the student will select a graduate advisory committee and file an approved graduate degree plan of at least 90 SCH (which includes30 SCH advanced standing awarded for the basic science didactic course work required in the DO curriculum) with the GSBS Office of Admissions and Services.

Block 2. Block 2 consists of at least two years dedicated to graduate study. During Block 2, the student is expected to complete all course work required for the PhD degree, complete the requirements for advancing to candidacy, file an approved dissertation research proposal, and make significant progress toward the completion of the dissertation research.

Block 3. During Block 3, the student will complete the required clinical rotations during this block, the student will also continue work toward completion of the dissertation. At the end of Block 3, the student is expected to have completed the curriculum required for the DO degree and to have completed at least 60 additional SCH of graduate courses under the GSBS, as required for the PhD, including the successful completion and defense of his/her dissertation. Following completion of the requirements for both degrees, the student is awarded the DO degree through TCOM and the PhD through the GSBS.

		DO	PhD
Block 1	Year 1	Semesters 1-2	Lab Rotations (optional)
	Year 2	Semesters 3-4	Lab Rotations (optional), Preparation of Individual Research
	Year 3	Core Clinical Rotations	Research rotation month
Block 2	Year 4-5	1 Clinical Rotation	GSBS courses, Qualifying exam, Grant Writing, dissertation research
Block  3	Year 6	Final Clinical Rotations	Completion of dissertation research and final seminar/defense

 

MPAS/PhD Format

The MPAS/PhD format is designed on a case-by-case basis to best meet the needs of the individual student. The GSBS requirements are equivalent to those described in blocks 2 and 3 for the DO/PhD Format described above. 

The goal of the curriculum for the MPAS/PhD track is to experience in which the clinical skill training within the MPAS program is maintained while the students complete their PhD-directed research experience. Interested students should consult with the Graduate School Staff and/or Director of the Multidisciplinary Programs to discuss possible entry into this program. 

This page last modified April 30, 2012

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