PhD Departments
The UNC MD-PhD program is proud to offer opportunities to earn PhD degrees from a wide variety of departments in addition to pursuing the MD degree. We are supportive of any PhD program choice as long as the student can make a convincing case for how that program is significantly relevant to medical science and both the MD-PhD Program and the graduate department have agreed that they can fully support the student in their chosen endeavor. The below table lists graduate departments in which our students have received PhD degrees that complement the MD degree.
Our students typically complete their PhD in 3 – 5 years.
Below is a full list of graduate departments that offer PhD degrees that complement the MD degree.
UNC School of Medicine
- Biochemistry and Biophysics*
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology*
- Biomedical Engineering (Joint Program with North Carolina State University)
- Cell Biology and Physiology*
- Microbiology and Immunology*
- Pathobiology and Translational Science*
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine*
- Pharmacology*
- Toxicology and Environmental Medicine*
- Curriculum in Neuroscience*
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology*
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy and Administration
- Maternal and Child Health
- Nutrition*
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
UNC College of Arts and Sciences
- Biology*
- Chemistry*
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Exercise and Sports Science
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
Please note: for some “non-traditional” PhD programs, an applicant to the MD-PhD program must apply separately to the UNC department from which he or she aims to earn a PhD. For more information please contact the MD-PhD Program Office
*Indicates participation in the BBSP program
Check out how the UNC MD-PhD Program bridges the gap between the MD and PhD portions of our students’ training.