Skip to main content

Programs

MD Program

Penn State College of Medicine offers a complete medical education program leading to the MD degree. Its central campus is located in Hershey, Pa., adjacent to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, which is a part of Penn State Health's multi-hospital health system.

Our Vision for Medical Education

A medical student gives a presentation

A Comprehensive Model

Our goal is to train humanistic, systems-ready physicians who are adaptive, critical thinking, collaborative and scholarly.

Traditionally, medical education has focused on two pillars: medical science and clinical care. As health care delivery rapidly shifts from physician-centric to patient-centric, and patient care involves both the care of the individual and the care of populations, a more comprehensive model is needed.

At Penn State College of Medicine, the two pillars have transformed to four.

The Four Pillars

Explore the four pillars of medical education at Penn State.

Health Humanities

Students attending the Penn State College of Medicine find humanities principles and content throughout the curriculum. With the oldest Humanities Department in a college of medicine in the country, humanism has been built into our history and woven into the fabric of our curriculum from our inception.

Humanities

Biomedical Sciences

Courses that are predominantly related to biomedical sciences provide exposure to foundational basic sciences and medical specialties. Students will be exposed to faculty with a diverse range of expertise and teaching philosophies.

View Our Curriculum

Clinical Sciences

A combination of classroom and clinical settings provides students the opportunity to apply learned skills to actual patient encounters. Required core clinical clerkships begin toward the end of Year 2.

Health Systems Science

We were one of the first medical schools in the country to implement Health Systems Science into the curriculum. The Patient Experience Program provides students the opportunity to work directly with a patient the first day of medical school.

Health Systems Science
Seven students take a selfie by a College of Medicine banner outside the school's crescent building in Hershey

Hershey Curriculum

Based in Hershey at the College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the central curriculum is revolutionizing the way tomorrow’s doctors are trained. We’ve created a four-pillar curriculum designed to give students a global perspective of the healthcare system.

Beginning your first year, you’ll serve as a patient navigator, guiding patients on a smoother journey through the often-complicated process of getting the care they need.

A medical student takes information from a person in a car during a mobile clinic

University Park Curriculum

The University Park curriculum uses early immersive practice-based experiences and patient stories as the springboard for integrated learning in basic science, clinical science, health systems science and health humanities. Students have the opportunity to take advantage of the resources of a major Big Ten university campus and engage in health care at the community level.

Additional Educational Tracks

Our curriculum options are open to all enrolled MD students. Once you're accepted for admission to Penn State College of Medicine, you will be able to apply for the specific track you want. For , you will need to meet the requirements and gain acceptance into the other program independent of the MD program.

Accelerated Tracks

Penn State College of Medicine offers pathways with accelerated educational experiences and early entry into residency. These pathways allow students who have committed to a specialty area to finish medical school early and match into a Penn State residency program, helping to accelerate their professional development.

MD/PhD Program

Through the MD/PhD Medical-Scientist Training Program, you’ll gain the tools and training you need to become a successful physician-scientist. The program, typically completed in eight years, will prepare you for a successful career as a physician and scientist in biomedical and health medical research, academic medicine, or a related field.

Looking for Your Next Step?

What Else Makes Us Different

Global-Minded

You’ll have the unique opportunity to improve health around the world. Students in the Global Health Scholars Program travel to partner sites and provide essential care. Rural Scholars focus on community needs in Pennsylvania.

Community-Engaged

College of Medicine students also have direct involvement in the betterment of the central Pennsylvania community. Student-run medical clinics and mobile clinics provide community health outreach in Hershey, rural Centre County and beyond.

Diversity-Committed

We are committed to increasing the representation of our student population and workforce to reflect our nation’s demographics. We are equally committed to effectively caring for our increasingly diverse population.

What's New in the MD Program