School of Medicine—Professional Program
The principal goal of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is the education of scholarly physicians.
This goal is achieved by emphasizing the centrality of the patient as the focus of health care by providing a firm understanding of the sciences basic to medicine, and by fostering the application of principles of biomedical problem solving to the care of patients. Students must develop an understanding of ethical principles in medicine and share the application of these principles to specific problems. Development, early in a student's career, of habits of self-education by methods that include problem-based and self-directed learning, communication skills, and computer-assisted education is critical to the learning process, which must occur throughout the professional life of a physician.
The information below details the school's MD program. For information on the school's Master of Science and doctoral programs, see the School of Medicine's listing under Graduate Programs.
Contact Information
- Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
- 518 Scaife Hall
- 3550 Terrace Street
- Pittsburgh, PA 15261
- 412-648-9891
- Fax: 412-648-8768
- E-mail: admissions@medschool.pitt.edu
- www.medschool.pitt.edu
Financial aid for medical students is available in the form of federal loans, private loans, and institutionally administered aid. Aid is awarded on the basis of need as determined from information supplied on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the student, the student's parents and, if applicable, the student's spouse. If a student does not wish to supply parental information, Federal Stafford loans are available for up to $40,722-$45,167 (dependent upon the year in school) or cost of attendance per academic year, whichever is less. Students with a cost of attendance and financial need higher than the Stafford loan limits may apply for a student loan through either a private lender or for a Graduate Plus Loan. By supplying parental information, students will be considered for a limited number of institutional scholarships and loans on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Financial aid application materials are available on our Web site after February 1.
Academic Standards
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine offers a centrally governed, integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes problem solving and self-directed learning. The academic year is in session between 10 and 12 months, depending on the level of study. Calendars specific to each year can be found in the student handbook at the school's Web site. The first three years are a set curricula and the fourth year is a combination of both set and elective offerings. To be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress, the student must complete the first two years of the curriculum by the end of the third year after initial enrollment. The full text of the guidelines for student promotion can be found in the student handbook at the school's Web site. Students are governed by an Honor Code, which seeks to support and sustain respect for each other as well as for patients. The full text of the Honor Code can be found in the student handbook.
Grading
The official grading of the UPSOM is honors/satisfactory/unsatisfactory (H/S/U). There is an internal deviation of the grading during the third and fourth years only, adding high and low satisfactory. More information is available in our student handbook found at the school's Web site.
To receive the MD degree, students must:
1. Successfully complete curricular requirements for each of the four years.
First year: Course work in basic science including human body, cell structure, metabolism, and nutrition, molecular and human genetics, cell communication and signaling, immunology and inflammation, molecular pathogenesis of infectious disease, general pharmacology, specialized tissue, introduction to pathobiology, introduction to being a physician, patient-doctor relationship, psychiatry and neurosciences, organ systems including host defenses and musculoskeletal, and introduction to patient care.
Second year: Course work in organ systems including body fluid homeostasis, digestion and nutrition, endocrine, dermatology, reproductive and developmental biology, integrated case studies and medical decisions, introduction to patient care, and patient-doctor relationship.
Third year: Rotations in inpatient medicine, family medicine, inpatient pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, clinical neuroscience (psychiatry and neurology), surgery and anesthesiology, and outpatient experiences in pediatrics, medicine, surgical specialties, and an area of the student’s selection.
Fourth year: An acting internship in either internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine or surgery; four weeks of an integrated life science course of the student’s selection; and eight months of clinical and/or research elective experience.
2. Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination, both Steps 1 and 2.
3. Meet accepted standards of professional conduct and emotional stability.
Degree Options
In addition to the MD program, the UPSOM offers a structured MD/PhD joint degree program. Information on this program is available at www.mdphd.pitt.edu.
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