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TL1 (T32) Predoctoral Training Program
The Core Curriculum serves as the basis for each of five different pre-doctoral training tracks.
1. The first level consists of a Certificate in CTS for those completing the Core Curriculum.
2. Students who also complete the prescribed number of CTS electives and 1-2 years of masters level research qualify for a Master's degree with a concentration in CTS or the MPH degree.
3. Doctoral students who complete the Core Curriculum, the prescribed number of CTS electives and traditional PhD level research qualify for a discipline-specific PhD degree with a minor in CTS.
4. Doctoral students completing the Core CTS training, the prescribed number of CTS electives and PhD level research in CTS under dual clinical and basic scientist mentorship will receive a PhD degree with a major in CTS and a minor in their discipline.
5. MS and PhD dual clinical degree programs are now being implemented by the interdigitation of the CTS training program with the existing MD, DVM, DMD, and PharmD dual degree programs.
The CTS TL1 Training Program will provide training for highly qualified students seeking either a PhD in CTS (tracks 3 and 4) or a dual doctoral level professional degree (MD, DMD, DVM, PharmD) combined with an MS or PhD in CTS (track 5). The CTSI will financially support 2-4 new predoctoral trainees each year to maintain a steady state of 6 trainees supported by the CTSI, but the program is open to non-CTSI-supported students as well.
KL2 Mentored Career Development Program
Coming soon!
Joint PhD Degree Programs
The College of Medicine has both an MD/PhD program and an MD “research track” available. MD/PhD students currently complete two years of medical school before beginning PhD training via the IDP in Biomedical Sciences, followed by clinical training. Those trainees who select thesis work that is primarily patient-oriented may be candidates to start their PhD studies after the completing the third year of medical school in order to benefit from experiences gained from first undertaking their core clinical clerkships. Similar programs are being formalized for DMD, DVM, and PharmD students.
The College of Medicine research track allows medical students interested in research to pursue 26 weeks of mentored research within the standard 4-year medical curriculum (10 weeks of research during the first summer plus 16 weeks during the 3rd and 4th year of medical school). A final requirement of these students is a research paper which results in the designation of MD with Honors in Research at graduation. Research track students can easily transition into CTS training in the summer of their second year and would then receive an MD degree Honors in Research with the CTS certificate or could pursue an MD/MS in CTS or MD/PhD in CTS. We envision establishing similar joint-degree programs for dental, veterinary and pharmacy students within the next 2 years.
Joint MS Degree Programs
Joint MD/MS program students will enroll in the Core Curriculum during the first summer and engage in mentored research during MS1 that follows MD2. The program for the MD/MS student will be five years. The MS thesis will be completed and defended by the end of MD4. The more abbreviated MD/CTS certificate program will require that the student take the Core Curriculum during the first summer with a continuous opportunity afforded for research activity and advanced courses/electives during years 3 and 4 of medical school to be eligible for graduation with Honors in Research. Similar dual degree programs are being established for DMD/MS, DVM/MS and PharmD/MS students.