Doctor of Medicine (MD)
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a doctoral level degree in the US preparing students for medical practice and licensure as physicians.
Institutions awarding this level in medicine (194)
Source: IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education). IPEDS records the field and level of each award, not its exact title.
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine · Erie
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine · Blacksburg
- Michigan State University · East Lansing
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine · Philadelphia
- Nova Southeastern University · Fort Lauderdale
- New York Institute of Technology · Old Westbury
- Kansas City University · Kansas City
- Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis
- Western University of Health Sciences · Pomona
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New Brunswick
- Lincoln Memorial University · Harrogate
- Rowan University · Glassboro
- A.T. Still University · Kirksville
- Rocky Vista University · Parker
- University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago
- Thomas Jefferson University · Philadelphia
- Wayne State University · Detroit
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Seattle
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science · North Chicago
- Midwestern University-Glendale · Glendale
- Temple University · Philadelphia
- Des Moines University · West Des Moines
- Touro College · New York
- Drexel University · Philadelphia
- Ohio University Lancaster · Athens
- Medical College of Wisconsin · Milwaukee
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston · Houston
- The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston · Galveston
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis
- Augusta University · Augusta
- Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland
- University of North Texas Health Science Center · Fort Worth
- University of Miami · Coral Gables
- New York Medical College · Valhalla
- University of Kansas · Lawrence
- Tufts University · Medford
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · San Antonio
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill
- Midwestern University · Downers Grove
- Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus
- Georgetown University · Washington
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans · New Orleans
- University of Kentucky · Lexington
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University · Brooklyn
- Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond
- University of California-San Francisco · San Francisco
- George Washington University · Washington
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine · Bronx
- University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia
- University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles
- University of Arizona · Tucson
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine · Lewisburg
- Saint Louis University · St Louis
- University of South Florida · Tampa
- Tulane University · New Orleans
- University at Buffalo · Buffalo
- SUNY Upstate Medical University · Syracuse
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine · Dothan
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center · Lubbock
- University of New England · Biddeford
- Baylor College of Medicine · Houston
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus · Denver
- University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham
- Harvard University · Cambridge
- University of Cincinnati · Cincinnati
- Oregon Health & Science University · Portland
- Creighton University · Omaha
- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center · Memphis
- University of Mississippi · Oxford
- Northwestern University · Evanston
- University of Toledo · Toledo
- Touro University Nevada · Henderson
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor
- University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville
- Loyola University Chicago · Chicago
- University of Southern California · Los Angeles
- University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center · Oklahoma City
- University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio
- Campbell University · Buies Creek
- University of Wisconsin–Madison · Madison
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences · Little Rock
- Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston
- University of Iowa · Iowa City
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School · Worcester
- Eastern Virginia Medical School · Norfolk
- Boston University · Boston
- Liberty University · Lynchburg
- Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine · Meridian
- Northeast Ohio Medical University · Rootstown
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport · Shreveport
- University of Louisville · Louisville
- Loma Linda University · Loma Linda
- Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem
- University of Florida · Gainesville
- University of Maryland, Baltimore · Baltimore
- Columbia University · New York
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York
- Marian University - Indiana · Indianapolis
- New York University · New York
- Touro University California · Vallejo
- Rush University · Chicago
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus · Pittsburgh
- Brown University · Providence
- Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine · Las Cruces
- Arkansas Colleges of Health Education · Fort Smith
- University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia
- Stony Brook University · Stony Brook
- Mercer University · Macon
- Albany Medical College · Albany
- Emory University · Atlanta
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences · Yakima
- Florida State University · Tallahassee
- University of Utah · Salt Lake City
- University of Central Florida · Orlando
- University of Pikeville · Pikeville
- Florida International University · Miami
- Duke University · Durham
- University of Nebraska Medical Center · Omaha
- Texas A & M University-College Station · College Station
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science · Rochester
- Oakland University · Rochester Hills
- University of Missouri-Kansas City · Kansas City
- University of Vermont · Burlington
- Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore
- University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia
- Washington University in St Louis · Saint Louis
- University of Connecticut · Storrs
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine · Scranton
- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences · Tulsa
- Wright State University · Dayton
- University of California-Davis · Davis
- Yale University · New Haven
- Vanderbilt University · Nashville
- Weill Cornell Medicine · New York
- University of Rochester · Rochester
- University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences · San Juan
- Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant
- Kent State University at Kent · Kent
- Ponce Health Sciences University · Ponce
- West Virginia University · Morgantown
- University of California-Irvine · Irvine
- Howard University · Washington
- University of California-San Diego · La Jolla
- California Northstate University · Elk Grove
- Meharry Medical College · Nashville
- Quinnipiac University · Hamden
- Morehouse School of Medicine · Atlanta
- Hofstra University · Hempstead
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus · Albuquerque
- Stanford University · Stanford
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso · El Paso
- University of Chicago · Chicago
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine · Nutley
- William Carey University · Hattiesburg
- California University of Science and Medicine · Colton
- Marshall University · Huntington
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine · Kalamazoo
- East Carolina University · Greenville
- University of South Alabama · Mobile
- Dartmouth College · Hanover
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa · Honolulu
- New York College of Podiatric Medicine · New York
- University of North Dakota · Grand Forks
- East Tennessee State University · Johnson City
- Washington State University · Pullman
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale · Carbondale
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas · Las Vegas
- Universidad Central Del Caribe · Bayamon
- Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton
- University of California, Riverside · Riverside
- University of South Dakota · Vermillion
- City College of New York · New York
- Barry University · Miami
- University of Nevada, Reno · Reno
- Texas Christian University · Fort Worth
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg
- The University of Texas at Austin · Austin
- Virginia Tech · Blacksburg
- Samuel Merritt University · Oakland
- San Juan Bautista School of Medicine · Caguas
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Urbana
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science · Los Angeles
- California Health Sciences University · Clovis
- Old Dominion University · Norfolk
- University of Oklahoma · Norman
- University of Idaho · Moscow
- The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler
- Yeshiva University · New York
- University of Minnesota, Duluth · Duluth
- Kansas Health Science Center · Wichita
- Cornell University · Ithaca
- Sam Houston State University · Huntsville
About
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the highest level doctoral degree awarded in the US medical education system. It is designed for students who have completed undergraduate studies and aspire to become licensed physicians. This degree is granted by accredited medical schools, typically part of four-year institutions, and represents the culmination of rigorous academic and clinical training. The MD degree is essential for those seeking to enter the medical profession, as it qualifies graduates to undertake residency programs and pursue medical licensure exams. It is recognized across the United States, though accreditation by regional and programmatic bodies ensures the quality and acceptance of the degree. The MD program combines classroom learning, laboratory work, and extensive clinical rotations in various healthcare settings. It prepares students not only for immediate clinical practice but also for specialization through residency and fellowship training.
- Doctoral level degree, highest awarded in medicine
- Granted by accredited US medical schools
- Requires prior undergraduate degree
- Combines academic and clinical training
- Leads to medical licensure eligibility
- Prepares for residency and specialization
How to get in
Admission to MD programs is highly selective and competitive. Applicants typically must hold a bachelor's degree with strong academic performance, often demonstrated by a competitive GPA. They must also complete prerequisite coursework in sciences and take standardized tests such as the MCAT. The application process involves submission through centralized systems like the AMCAS, including personal statements, letters of recommendation, and interviews. Medical schools look for candidates with academic excellence, relevant extracurricular experiences, and a demonstrated commitment to healthcare. While some programs may consider diverse backgrounds and experiences, the overall selection process is rigorous to ensure readiness for the demanding curriculum. Financial aid applications through FAFSA are common to support students during their studies.
- Requires bachelor’s degree
- Competitive GPA and MCAT scores
- Application via AMCAS system
- Includes interviews and recommendations
- Selective admission process
- FAFSA eligible for financial aid
Format and schedule
The MD program typically spans four years, combining rigorous academic coursework with clinical experiences. The initial years focus on foundational medical sciences, while the latter years emphasize clinical rotations across various specialties in hospitals and clinics. Students engage in hands-on patient care under supervision, developing practical skills and professional judgment. Evaluations include written exams, practical assessments, and performance reviews during rotations. The program demands full-time commitment, with long hours and intensive study. Some schools may offer opportunities for research or dual degrees, but the core structure remains consistent to prepare students for the licensing process and residency.
- Four years duration
- Classroom and clinical training
- Clinical rotations in diverse specialties
- Continuous evaluations and exams
- Full-time intensive study
What next?
After earning the MD degree, graduates must enter residency programs to receive specialized training in their chosen medical fields. Completion of residency is required for full medical licensure and independent practice. The MD also allows graduates to take licensing exams such as the USMLE. Some may pursue fellowships for further specialization. Others may choose academic, research, or administrative careers in healthcare. The degree provides a direct pathway into the medical profession, with numerous opportunities for advancement. Transfer or articulation agreements are less common at this stage, as the MD is a terminal degree in medicine. Graduates are well-positioned to contribute to patient care, medical innovation, and public health.
- Enter residency for specialization
- Take licensing exams (USMLE)
- Options for fellowships and research
- Direct medical practice eligibility
- Career in healthcare leadership
Frequently asked questions
What prior education is needed to apply for an MD program?
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree with prerequisite science courses completed. A strong academic record and MCAT scores are also important.
How long does it take to complete the MD degree?
The MD program typically lasts four years, combining classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
Is the MD degree recognized nationwide?
Yes, the MD is recognized across the US, provided it is awarded by an accredited medical school.
What exams must MD graduates pass to practice medicine?
Graduates must pass the USMLE licensing exams to obtain a medical license and practice independently.
Can I work as a doctor immediately after the MD?
No, graduates must complete residency training before full licensure and independent practice.
Are there financial aid options for MD students?
Yes, students can apply for financial aid through FAFSA and other scholarship programs.
Can I switch specialties after starting residency?
Yes, but changing specialties may require additional training and application to a new residency program.
Is research part of the MD curriculum?
While not mandatory, many MD programs offer research opportunities to enhance medical education.