Policy for Pursuing a Second Degree

Policy for Medical Students who Pursue a Second Degree
(Except UVa Combined degrees M.D./Ph.D. and M.D./M.P.H.)

Students in the School of Medicine may elect to expand their experience and training in related areas. These include, but are not restricted to programs leading to a Masters in Public Health, a Masters in Ethics, or a Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Virginia or other universities. Students will be allowed to withdraw from the School of Medicine, complete their second degree, and return to the School of Medicine under the following conditions.

1. Approval for the second degree program and the appropriate time away must be obtained in advance from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the School of Medicine.
    
2. Students seeking a second degree are expected to complete the first three years of the medical curriculum, take USMLE Step 2 CK and CS before beginning the second degree program.
    
3. The student is responsible for making application to the second degree program.
    
4. The University of Virginia School of Medicine is not responsible for financial aid for students enrolled in a second degree program.
    
5. Students must complete a fourth year curriculum requirements after completing the second degree program. It is anticipated that students will pursue electives or activities that will allow them to integrate and apply their unique expertise to medicine. Elective credit will not be granted for M.A., M.S., M.B.A. or other second degrees, with the exception for students in the UVa combined M.D./Ph.D. program and the UVa combined M.D./M.P.H as outlined in the policy related to each .
    
6. Students must complete the requirements for the M.D. degree within 6 years of the date of first matriculation in the School of Medicine.

    

Policy for Students in a UVa Combined Program Leading to M.D./M.P.H.

For a full description of the UVa combined M.D./M.P.H. program see: MD-MPH policy.doc

Policy for Students in a UVa Combined Program Leading to M.D./Ph.D. (MSTP)
(in a Medically Related Area)

1. Students must be approved for participation in the University of Virginia combined M.D./Ph.D. program. Students in the combined program are expected to participate in activities sponsored by the Graduate Programs Office and the Office for Student Affairs. Students in the combined program may receive up to 28 elective credits for work leading to the Ph.D. degree with approval of the Director of the Electives/Selectives program and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. MSTP students are required to complete 52 weeks of core clerkships and selectives, 4 weeks of an ACE (Advanced Clinical Elective), and complete Clinical Connections, Life Saving Techniques Workshop, and the DxRx: Health Care Policy course and particiate in the CPX exam. A passing score on USMLE Step 2 CK is required (take by March 10th for May graduation) and evidence that USMLE Step 2 CS has been taken by April 1st. Students in the MSTP who receive a M.S. as their final degree may be eligible for up to 8 weeks of elective credit.
    
2. Students must complete the combined M.D./Ph.D. program within 8 years of the date of matriculation in the School of Medicine.
    
3. The M.D./Ph.D. Committee can grant a 1 year extension for students in combined M.D./Ph.D. programs who are deemed to be making substantial progress, but will not finish within 8 years. The Committee may grant more than a single 1 year extension, but application for extensions must be made on a yearly basis.

    

Time Limit for Completion of the M.D. Degree

Students must complete the requirements for the M.D. degree within 6 years of first matriculation in the School of Medicine unless in the M.D./Ph.D. program.

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