MD Program

HST’s MD Program

Is this program a good fit for me?

HST’s MD program is designed for bold, curious students who aspire to careers as physician-scientists. We're committed to welcoming applicants from a wide range of communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

Half of the students in our MD program have majored in biological sciences and half in physical sciences. They are comfortable with mathematics and computational methods, biochemistry, and molecular biology.

How is the HST MD program different from other MD programs?

HST adds a new dimension to medical school. The HST MD curriculum highlights the frontiers of what is known and what remains to be discovered. As an HST student, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the fundamental principles underlying disease and acquire the clinical skills of traditional medical training. In addition, you’ll undertake a meaningful research project in one of several hundred laboratories at Harvard, MIT, and local hospitals. It’s the perfect beginning to a multidisciplinary career as a physician-scientist.

What degree will I earn?

You’ll earn a MD degree from Harvard Medical School.

What can I do with this degree?

Become a pioneering physician-scientist, ready to care for patients and lead translational research to develop preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic innovations.

What can I expect?

In your first two years, you’ll build a deep understanding of the medical sciences and lay the groundwork for further exploration. You’ll explore the complex mechanics of human biology, study the technical underpinnings of healthcare, and gain a fundamental knowledge of molecular biology, biotechnology, engineering, and the physical sciences. You’ll also explore the human side of medical science, meeting with a variety of patients in clinical settings.

You will also conduct research in a lab at MIT, Harvard, or one of the affilated hospitals and research institutes, building your expertise and learning from a thriving community of researchers, educators, and fellow students.

Beginning in April of your second year, you’ll join your classmates from the other curricular track at Harvard Medical School in clinical clerkships and electives, gaining valuable real-world experience in a clinical setting.

How long will it take me to earn an MD degree from HST?

The HST MD program is designed to be completed in four years, with an option to extend the program to five years by including a year of full-time research. This additional research year typically occurs after the second year of the MD curriculum.

Can the HST MD be combined with other degree programs?

Many HST MD students join the Harvard/MIT MD-PhD program, earning a PhD in addition to their medical training. As an HST MD student, you may also pursue dual degrees in business (MBA), public health (MPH), or public policy (MPP). More information can be found here: https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/combined-degrees

To learn more about the HST MD curriculum, visit the HST program overview on Harvard Medical School’s website.