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MD Program

Accelerated Pathways

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    Three-Year MD Accelerated Pathways

    Penn State College of Medicine's three-year MD Accelerated Pathways provide students the opportunity to complete medical school in three years with a directed path into residency, pending successful completion of their medical school training. Upon meeting the academic and professional standards for graduation from medical school, students are ranked to match into a Penn State Health residency program through the National Resident Matching Program.

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    A Unique Program

    Penn State's accelerated MD Program is unique in that its pathways are designed to optimize the UME-GME continuum and allow students who already know their career path to progress into emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or psychiatry.

    The benefits of the accelerated options include reduction of medical education costs and earlier career entry. The linkage of undergraduate and graduate medical education optimizes opportunities for continuity of patient care, mentoring and advising.

    Medical students smiling and talking as they walk outside the crescent building at Penn State College of Medicine

    A Positive Impact

    Penn State College of Medicine is a member of the national Consortium of Accelerated Medical Pathway Programs, initially funded by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, which has conducted numerous studies that validated the positive impact of the 3-year accelerated programs.

    A study that reviewed responses on the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire found that accelerated MD program graduates compared to four-year MD graduates:

    • Feel as satisfied with their medical education

    • Feel as prepared for residency

    • Have equivalent rates of burnout, with better ratings in some areas

    • Have lower student debt

    Another study noted no significant differences in performance as measured by the ACGME milestones during the first year of residency between graduates of 4-year medical schools and 3-year accelerated programs.

    Explore MD Three-Year Pathways

    Penn State College of Medicine offers accelerated MD pathways in the specialties below.

    Emergency MedicineA Life Lion helicopter takes flight outside the Emergency Department of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

    Emergency Medicine

    Emergency Medicine is focused on the rapid evaluation, stabilization, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with undifferentiated illness and injury across all ages. It is uniquely suited for students who enjoy variety, high-acuity medicine, procedures, teamwork, critical decision-making, and caring for patients during some of the most important moments of their lives.

    Family Medicine3+ MD student Kyle Nerz sits in a clinical exam room and talks with a patient who is gesturing toward his knee

    Family Medicine

    Family Medicine is focused on comprehensive, continuous, and relationship-centered care for individuals and families across all ages, genders, and stages of life. Family physicians are uniquely trained to diagnose and manage a broad range of acute and chronic conditions while emphasizing prevention, wellness, and coordination of care within the context of the patient’s family and community.

    Internal MedicineDr. Matthew Coates gestures while speaking with a patient

    Internal Medicine

    Internal Medicine is focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in adults. Internists care for patients with a wide range of conditions and often manage complex or chronic illnesses. Career pathways are diverse and include primary care, hospital medicine, academic medicine, research, and various subspecialties.

    PediatricsA physician uses a stethoscope to check the vitals of a young boy who is sitting on an exam table

    Pediatrics

    Pediatrics offers the opportunity to shape health from the very beginning of life. The specialty combines the unique physiology and developmental needs of infants, children, and adolescents with high-acuity medicine, complex disease, advocacy, and lasting partnerships with families. For students drawn early to caring for children, pediatrics offers a deeply rewarding and intellectually diverse career.

    PsychiatryPeople mingle in a hallway with a sign that says Acute Care Unit and Penn State Health Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

    Psychiatry

    Psychiatry is a unique and evolving medical specialty that explores the intersection of the mind, brain and behavior. Psychiatrists play a vital role in preventing, diagnosing, and managing mental health conditions across all stages of life. Our Accelerated Pathway is designed for students with an early passion for the field, offering meaningful clinical experiences, personalized mentorship, and early exposure to the many career pathways that psychiatry has to offer.

    Life of a 3+ Student

    Group of 10 people, students and faculty behind the Nittany Lion statue in the College of Medicine courtyard

    3+ students during a signing ceremony, marking the beginning of their journey.

    Learning at the College of Medicine: The Problem Based Learning Way.

    Focused time with faculty mentors.

    Student collaboration in the College of Medicine courtyard.

    Learning in the clinical setting.

    Coaching from Faculty.

    Celebrating Residency Match.

    Commencement: The end of undergraduate medical education and the start of residency.

    Residents on call.

    Medical education leads to residency.

    Social gathering to celebrate milestones with peers and faculty.

    Scientist and Educator Pathways

    These pathways allow students to achieve school-wide competencies and complete the core graduation requirements in about three years while devoting the majority of the fourth year of medical school to either research or a Master of Education degree.

    Clinician Educator Pathway

    Students complete all requirements for both the MD degree and the Master of Education (MEd) degree in four years.

    Clinician Educator Pathway

    Clinician Scientist Pathway

    Students incorporate an extended period of research within the four years of medical school.

    Email the Program for Details

    References

    Nittany Lion Shield Penn State Mark
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    Penn State College of Medicine

    700 HMC Crescent Road

    Hershey, PA 17033

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