MD-MPH Program

The program combines pre-clinical coursework, graduate coursework and fundamental biomedical research resulting in a dissertation and a PhD degree and clinical training which will result in an MD degree. These two approaches emphasize the interface between biomedical science and clinical practice that is necessary in treating patients in tomorrow's world and investigating the basis of their disease. The program is outlined below:

Medical School Year One (M1):

Clinical Anatomy, Development and Physical Examination (CADE): 19-week course in fall semester that integrates Gross Anatomy, Embryology and Physical Examination content by body region.

Molecular Basis of Life, Defense and Disease: 16-week course in spring semester that integrates foundational biochemistry, medical genetics, immunology, tissue and body fluid physiology, pathology and pharmacology to introduce immunologic function in disease and health; normal cellular and tissue histology in health, injury and healing; foundational microbiology; and mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic and hematologic diseases.

Introduction to Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Medicine: Two week course in spring semester that concentrates principles of biomedical research, foundational statistics, medical informatics and application of evidence to patient care.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 1 (ICM 1): Two semester course that covers foundational patient interviewing skills, professionalism and ethics, humanism and compassion, medical system structure and health disparities, cultural humility, provision of health maintenance and use of health guidelines.

Medical School Year Two (M2):

Systems in Health and Disease 1: 19-week course in fall semester that integrates the normal physiology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, nutritional/metabolic and endocrine systems with their pathophysiologic function in disease, progression from normal histologic appearance to pathologic appearance, infecting microbes and applicable pharmacologic treatments.

Systems in Health and Disease 2: 14-week course in spring semester that integrates the normal physiology of the reproductive, dermatologic, musculoskeletal and behavioral systems as well as neurologic system diseases with their pathophysiologic function in disease, progression from normal histologic appearance to pathologic appearance, infecting microbes and applicable pharmacologic treatments.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 2 (ICM 2): Two semester course that covers advanced clinical communication skills, humanism and compassion, specialized physical examination techniques, advanced medical ethics, medical socioeconomics and healthcare laws.

SUMMER between MS Year Two and GRAD 1: The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step I)

Medical School Year 3

Third Year core clerkships run concurrently throughout the academic year beginning in late June and ending the following June. The sequence of clerkships is organized on a track basis.

Core Clerkships:

• Family Medicine (includes AHEC rotation): Six weeks
• Internal Medicine: Eight weeks
• Neurology: Four weeks
• Pediatrics: Six weeks
• Psychiatry: Six weeks
• Obstetrics and Gynecology: Six weeks
• Surgery: Eight weeks
• Clinical Electives and/or Vacation: Four weeks, plus two additional weeks that can be used.

Medical School Year 4

Fourth Year runs concurrently throughout the academic year from July to early May.

Required Clinical Rotations Include:

• Acting Internship (AI): Four weeks
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Critical Care: Two weeks
• Palliative Care: One week
• Clinical Electives: 26- to 28-weeks
• Topics in Clinical Medicine
• Residency Interviews

Clerkships and Rotations are completed at multiple clinic sites, including, but not limited to:

• UofL Health - UofL Hospital
• UofL Health - Jewish Hospital
• Norton Children's Hospital
• Norton Hospital
• VA Medical Center

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 2) 

University of Louisville MD-PhD Program Mailing Address: 

500 Preston Street
HSC Research Tower, Room 315A
Louisville, KY 40202

Parking for Medical School Pre-Orientation Visit: Visitor parking is available at the East Chestnut Street garage, located on the corner of East Chestnut Street and South Preston Street. Medical School Pre-Orientation takes place in February and is located in the Kornhauser Library Auditorium.

Directions: The Health Sciences Center campus is located in the North Central part of Louisville, near the Ohio River.

From the North: 

• Take I-65 South to Exit 136 C. Jefferson Street/Downtown/Brook Street.
• Stay in the far left hand lane of the ramp for Brook Street.
• At the end of the ramp, follow Brook Street one block north to East Market Street and turn right.
• Go one block on Market and turn right on South Floyd Street.
• Go four blocks and turn left on East Chestnut Street. The parking garage is on your right at: 414 East Chestnut Street.

From the East or West:

• Take I-64 or I-71 to I-65 South and follow the directions above.

From the South: 

• Take I-65 North to Exit 136 A Broadway/Chestnut Street. This ramp exits onto South Brook Street.
• Continue on South Brook Street for two blocks.
• Turn right on East Chestnut Street and continue past South Preston Street. The parking garage is on your right past the pedestrian walkway at: 414 East Chestnut Street.