Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Duke's Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Program seeks to prepare a diverse student body to pursue a spectrum of medical career options in order to become physician leaders who can advance biomedical research and improve local, national, and global health. This is accomplished in part, through an innovative curriculum in which students learn the core basic sciences in the first year, complete core clinical clerkships in the second year, devote the entire third year to scholarly investigation, and fulfill elective rotations in the fourth year. By condensing the traditionally structured training from four years into three, students are provided ample opportunity to pursue their own independent interests. Many students earn a second degree during this time, graduating with an MBA, Master of Public Health or Master of Science in addition to the Doctor of Medicine degree. This curriculum has kept Duke's School of Medicine in the top ten medical schools in the country. The mission of the educational program for MD students at Duke University is to prepare a diverse student body to pursue a spectrum of medical career options in order to become physician leaders who can advance biomedical research and improve local, national, and global health. The general goals of the educational program are to ensure that students: acquire an understanding of core basic and clinical science knowledge; develop the clinical skills to care for diverse patient populations; explore how scientific investigation transforms medical knowledge and clinical care; demonstrate creativity, leadership, scholarship, and teamwork; direct and practice respectful patient-centered care; display professional, ethical and humanistic behaviors; and build the skills necessary to be a lifelong learner. The Office of Curricular Affairs (OCA) provides professional, administrative, and technical expertise to the faculty, students, and staff of the School of Medicine in support of our state-of-the-art medical education.