Medical Scientist Training Program

Learning Mode: Residential

Overview
Learning Experience
Admissions
Tuition & Aid
Career Outlook
Faculty
FAQ
Purpose

Program Overview

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the Medical University of South Carolina prepares future physician scientists through an integrated M.D. and Ph.D. curriculum that unites medical education with rigorous biomedical research. Students receive comprehensive clinical training while pursuing in depth, hypothesis driven research under expert mentorship. The program emphasizes discovery, translation, and professionalism, equipping graduates to advance human health and lead impactful careers in academic medicine and research.

Application Timeline

Jul 1 – Dec 1

Apply Now Request Information Supplemental Application

Learning Experience

A fully integrated pathway that connects medical education and scientific discovery, preparing future physician-scientists to lead at the intersection of research and patient care.

Inside the Program

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards for both the Ph.D. and M.D. degrees. Our program provides a collegial and nurturing environment in which each student’s intellectual and personal potential is nurtured, encouraged and challenged. This ensures that our trainees achieve their full potential. Upon completion of their training, our students go on to the highest quality internships, residency training programs and post-doctoral research fellowships, followed by outstanding career positions.

The MSTP offers maximum flexibility and guidance for the student to select a mentor and training experience. There are also several mechanisms available that allow the trainee to get significant exposure to clinical and translational research during the graduate years in addition to time in medical school. They include but are not limited to the Translational Sciences Clinic (during graduate years), Translational Medicine Seminar Series, a Month in the Research Nexus (during senior year) and the CARES Clinic, an evening clinic serving the medically indigent. Our students publish their research in top-tier journals and receive numerous honors and awards for their research.

Clinical Experience

MSTP students complete the full M.D. curriculum alongside their medical classmates, gaining broad and immersive clinical training across foundational and advanced experiences. Clinical exposure begins early and continues throughout the program to ensure strong continuity between patient care and research training. Students engage with diverse patient populations and clinical environments that help shape meaningful research questions grounded in real-world health challenges. This sustained clinical engagement reinforces professional identity, sharpens clinical reasoning, and strengthens the ability to translate discovery into improved care.

Research Experience

Research training is the centerpiece of the MSTP experience. Students explore research areas early through rotations before committing to focused doctoral training guided by accomplished faculty mentors. The program supports deep laboratory immersion, rigorous graduate coursework, and exposure to translational research environments that connect science to human health. Through sustained investigation, scholarly dissemination, and close mentorship, trainees develop the skills needed for independent research careers and future leadership within the biomedical research enterprise supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Your path to admission

Discover key information about application steps and required documentation to help you move forward with confidence.

Eligibility Requirements

GPA and MCAT scores are a large factor in obtaining an interview, at which point we are looking for the other traits essential to becoming great physicians.

All applicants must:

Possess a bachelor's degree prior to matriculation in to the program
Have obtained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
Have obtained a minimum MCAT score of 504 taken within three years from the date of matriculation (July 1)
Supply record of advanced courses in the physical and/or biological sciences
Demonstrate evidence of serious and enthusiastic commitment to the program
Demonstrate evidence of a commitment to research through clinical shadowing experience and/or volunteer work
Not be currently or have been previously enrolled in an M.D. or Ph.D. program outside of MUSC

We are particularly interested in why you want to come to MUSC for the MSTP and what research you would like to pursue in graduate school. The committee takes a holistic approach in the evaluation of the applications.

Application Process

Application Deadlines

Start Term	Application Type	Available	Deadline
Fall 2026	Regular	Jul 1, 2025	Dec 1, 2025

Fees

Fee Type	Fee
Application Fee (per application)	$95
Matriculation Fee (upon applicant acceptance)	$485

Start Your Application

Application Requirements

AMCAS Application: The following materials must be submitted through the AMCAS application. Applicants do not need to send any of the following information directly to MUSC.
- Letters of recommendation: All applicants should submit three to five references from individuals who know the applicant well enough to comment on their education and research potential. These letters should come from prior or current research mentors, instructors, physicians, or employers. We will also accept a committee packet with three separate letters from their college pre-med advisory committee. Non-traditional students who have been away from college for a number of years can substitute an employer for one of the faculty letters.
Supplemental Application: All applicants must submit the MUSC Supplemental Application.

Applicants must select the M.D./Ph.D. program type on their application. This application will permit the applicant to submit essays describing their interest in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program. Applicants should instruct AMCAS to forward their AMCAS application to MUSC.

Funding your path forward

Explore tuition and fees along with financial aid options to support your educational journey.

Tuition

Year 1

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-
Basic Life Support Training Fee	-	-	-	$65
Examination & Technology Support Fee	-	-	-	$1,157
Gross Anatomy Lab Fee	-	-	-	$950
Student Disability Insurance	-	-	-	$79

Year 2

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-
Examination & Technology Support Fee	-	-	-	$695
Rotation Credentialing Fee	-	-	-	$85
Student Disability Insurance	-	-	-	$79

Year 3

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-

Year 4

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-

Year 5

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-

Year 6

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-

Year 7

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-
Examination & Technology Support Fee	-	-	-	$488
Student Disability Insurance	-	-	-	$79

Year 8

Tuition/Fee Type	Fall	Spring	Summer	Annual
In-state Tuition	$7,475	$7,475	$7,475	-
Out-of-state Tuition	$9,948	$9,948	$9,948	-
Composite Fee	-	-	-	$34
Examination & Technology Support Fee	-	-	-	$118
Student Disability Insurance	-	-	-	$79

Cost of Attendance

Item	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5-8	Est. Total*
Direct Costs
Tuition - In-state/Out-of-state	$22,425/$29,843	$22,425/$29,843	$22,425/$29,843	$22,425/$29,843	$22,425/$29,843	$179,400/$238,744
Health Insurance	$3,780	$3,780	$3,780	$3,780	$3,780	$30,240
Fees	$2,551	$1,159	$867	$531	$300	$6,308
Direct Costs Subtotal	$28,576/$36,174	$27,364/$34,782	$27,072/$34,490	$27,267/$34,685	$26,505/$33,923	$215,948/$275,292
Indirect Costs
Housing/Food	$27,144	$27,144	$27,144	$27,144	$27,144	$217,152
Personal	$2,880	$2,880	$2,880	$2,880	$2,880	$23,040
Transportation	$3,240	$3,240	$3,240	$3,240	$3,240	$25,920
Books/Required Expenses	$3,860	$3,860	$3,860	$3,860	$3,860	$30,880
Indirect Costs Subtotal	$37,124/$37,124	$35,914/$35,914	$35,414/$35,414	$36,724/$36,724	$34,774/$34,774	$296,992/$296,992
Total - In-state/Out-of-state	$65,880/$73,298	$63,278/$70,696	$62,486/$69,904	$63,991/$71,409	$61,279/$68,697	$512,940/$572,284

Disclaimer: The Estimated Total listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

Funding

The MUSC MSTP is funded in part by a training grant from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences, the Colleges of Medicine and Graduate Studies and numerous scholarships. As of July 1st 2024, trainees receive a stipend of $37,000 a year and tuition, fees and health insurance are paid for. The College of Graduate Studies provides a $2,000 bonus for each year that a trainee receives a NIH NRSA fellowship. The MUSC MSTP was ranked third in the nation, per capita for obtaining the highly competitive NIH NRSA individual fellowships.

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

View Scholarship Opportunities

Career Outlook

Earning an M.D./Ph.D. opens the door to impactful careers at the intersection of medicine and research. Graduates are equipped with the expertise to succeed in the following roles:

Physician-Scientist: Combines patient care with research, leading studies that drive medical innovation. Physician-scientists often hold dual roles in academic medical centers, government research institutions, or industry.
Academic Researcher: Conducts cutting-edge biomedical research, secures grant funding, and mentors the next generation of physician-scientists in universities and research hospitals.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist: Oversees laboratory testing and diagnostics, ensuring accuracy in research and patient care. Clinical laboratory scientists work in hospitals, academic research centers, and biotechnology firms.

Graduates may find employment in academic medical centers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device firms, government agencies such as the NIH and FDA, and research institutions worldwide. The specialized skills acquired through this program also provide a strong foundation for those pursuing leadership roles in translational medicine, clinical trials, and healthcare innovation.

Program Faculty

Nancy K. DeMore, M.D., FACS
Director, Medical Scientist Training Program
Professor of Surgery
BMW Endowed Chair in Cancer Research
Co-leader, Developmental Cancer Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center

Donald Menick, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Medical Scientist Training Program
Professor, Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Frequently Asked Questions

The MUSC MSTP offers an integrated M.D. and Ph.D. curriculum with strong mentorship, flexibility in research training, and sustained clinical engagement throughout the program. Students benefit from dedicated translational experiences, close faculty access, and a collaborative academic medical center environment that supports physician-scientist development.

Clinical exposure begins early and continues during the research years to maintain continuity between patient care and discovery. Structured opportunities such as translational clinics, service learning experiences, and research immersion ensure that clinical insight informs scientific inquiry and translational impact.

Living in Charleston

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Guided by Purpose & Principles

Join a community grounded in compassion, collaboration, respect, integrity and innovation, committed to empowering future leaders in medical science.

Objectives

The MSTP program aims to prepare graduates to:

Integrate rigorous biomedical research training with comprehensive medical education to advance scientific discovery and improve human health
Design, conduct, and lead independent, hypothesis-driven research that addresses fundamental biological mechanisms and clinically relevant problems
Translate scientific discoveries into clinical and population-level applications that improve diagnostics, therapeutics, and patient outcomes
Assume leadership roles in academic medicine and research enterprises through collaboration, mentorship, and scholarly engagement
Practice medicine and conduct research with the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and integrity, recognizing the societal responsibility of physician-scientists

Competencies

Upon completion of the MSTP program, graduates should be able to:

Formulate significant research questions and hypotheses grounded in scientific literature and clinical observation
Design and implement rigorous experimental and analytical approaches appropriate to biomedical, translational, or clinical research
Analyze, interpret, and synthesize complex scientific and clinical data using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods
Disseminate research findings effectively through peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, and interdisciplinary collaboration
Apply foundational and advanced medical knowledge to deliver evidence-informed, patient-centered care
Integrate clinical insight with scientific reasoning to inform translational research and improve health outcomes
Lead and collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams, fostering inclusive, ethical, and productive research and clinical environments
Communicate complex scientific and clinical concepts clearly and professionally to patients, trainees, colleagues, and diverse stakeholders

Vision

To develop physician-scientists who integrate rigorous biomedical research with medical practice to advance discovery, translate science into improved health outcomes, and lead ethically within academic medicine.

Mission

To train the future generation of physician-scientists and leaders in academic medicine.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy, and dignity.
Collaboration: We achieve common goals through teamwork and partnerships.
Innovation: We drive transformation by embracing new ideas, discoveries, and practices.
Integrity: We do the right thing and commit to accountability in words, actions, and use of resources.
Respect: We value everyone and their many perspectives to build trust and a sense of belonging.