MD Program

The USC-Caltech MD/PhD Program is a highly selective, dual-degree training program designed to develop physician-scientists who integrate clinical medicine with advanced research. Offered jointly by the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the program combines medical education at USC with PhD research opportunities across a wide range of scientific disciplines at both institutions. Students benefit from interdisciplinary training, access to world-class faculty and research facilities, and personalized mentorship throughout their studies. The program’s integrated structure allows students to efficiently complete both degrees while preparing for careers in academic medicine, biomedical research, and leadership roles that bridge science and patient care.

The Keck School of Medicine Primary Care Program (PCP) is a four-year educational program designed to train and support primary care-focused medical students interested in working with vulnerable communities. In addition to completing all academic requirements of the MD program curriculum, PCP students receive dedicated mentorship from primary care faculty and participate in extra sessions and activities to position them for primary care practice such as in community outreach, nutrition, exercise, healthy cooking, interprofessional collaborative practice training, and education on the health needs of older adults. Students get early exposure to community-based clinics and work longitudinally with primary care doctors and their teams to provide care to urban, underserved communities.

Keck School of Medicine students may expand their expertise and forge unique career opportunities by devoting one year of training between the third and fourth years of their MD program to earn an additional graduate degree from USC. There are an array of dual degree options to address our students’ specific skills and interests including: MD/Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (BME), MD/Master of Public Health (MPH), MD/Master of Business Administration (MBA), MD/Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), MD/Master of Science in Health Systems Management Engineering (HSME).