D.O./Ph.D. Program
Dual-Degree Programs
Become a physician-scientist
The enormous complexity of biomedical, behavioral and clinical science today prevents the standard course of study at most medical and other health professional schools from providing the experience necessary to develop researchers. Integrated curricula that combine training for a health professional degree (e.g., D.O., M.D., D.D.S., Au.D.) with extensive research experience, leading to a second advanced degree, have been developed because individuals who are both physicians/clinicians and trained scientists play a vital role in basic biomedical, translational, clinical, behavioral, epidemiologic, prevention and services research. There is a critical need for physician- and clinician-scientists to study human disease through rigorous research.
The Heritage College D.O./Ph.D. program is specifically designed for those who want to become physician-scientists. Graduates of the Heritage College D.O./Ph.D. program go on to become faculty members at medical schools, universities and research institutes. Regardless of where they eventually work, the Heritage College D.O./Ph.D. candidates will develop the skills necessary to conduct or direct clinical, basic or epidemiological research in addition to providing patient care.
Students in the program select research mentors engaged in health-related research from the Translational Biomedical Sciences Program.
Applicants must be accepted to the Heritage College before being considered for admission to the D.O./Ph.D. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by January 15 prior to matriculation into the Heritage College. Applications received after January 15 may be considered if slots are available.
A short application specific to the dual degree program is required. If invited to interview at the Heritage College, applicants can request to meet with a representative from the D.O./Ph.D. program.
The D.O./Ph.D. program typically requires seven years to complete.
The first two years (OMS I-II) of the curriculum integrate biomedical and social-behavioral foundations of medicine with real patient clinical experiences. During this time D.O./Ph.D. students begin to identify mentors and dissertation topics through laboratory rotations, supervised literature review, and by attending the Translational Biomedical Sciences (TBS) seminar series. Students in the program are expected to complete a mentored research project during the summer between their OMS I and OMS II years.
Students spend the next three-to-four (G1-G3/4) years pursuing doctoral studies in a biomedical or biobehavioral discipline through the Translational Biomedical Sciences (TBS) graduate program. Students spend the final two years (OMS III/IV) of their training completing rotations in our statewide clinical training network. Here students explore the full range of medical specialties, gaining the clinical skills necessary to thrive in today's rapidly changing patient care environment. Additional opportunities to continue and/or expand upon their dissertation research are supported through continued interaction with the elective research rotations.
Graduate coursework includes core requirements of the TBS program and as appropriate for the dissertation topic, taking advantage of a diverse array of classes across multiple colleges and departments at OHIO.
Financial support includes a research fellowship for years three through seven. A tuition waiver is provided for the Ph.D. portion of the training program.
Questions?
If you would like more information or are interested in applying to the program please contact us.