About the MD Plus Program

Combined Programs at the University of Calgary

The MD Plus/Leaders in Medicine Program gives you the opportunity to pursue combined degrees at the University of Calgary. It enables highly motivated students to complete two degree programs concurrently. Thus, a combined program may include a graduate degree, such as the Masters (MSc) or Doctoral (PhD), along with a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Students interested in a combined program need to apply for admission to each individual program - and be accepted, of course. At the same time, they must also apply to the combined program. Dr. Hollenberg, the Director of the MD Plus/Leaders in Medicine Program, approves the applicants' acceptance into the combined program.

Upon completion of the program, students will graduate with both degrees simultaneously.

Leaders in Medicine - MD/PhD or MD/MSc

The objective of the Leaders in Medicine Program is to train clinicians for a diverse range of careers ranging from academic medical research to the design, management, and evaluation of healthcare delivery systems. Individuals trained in the combined degree program can expect to develop a unique academic approach to their clinical experiences, and to bring a clinical perspective to their research.

Students in the Leaders in Medicine/MD Plus Program will be jointly enrolled in the MD program and in any of the graduate programs offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Although the most common graduate programs selected by Leaders in Medicine participants are the seven offered by the Faculty of Medicine (see list to the left or Graduate Programs), students from other programs - including Philosophy and Engineering - have taken part. Two newly-developed Masters in Business Administration Programs have recently been implemented - one with an MD, the other with a Masters in Biomedical Technology (MBT).

Students wishing to apply to the Leaders in Medicine/MD Plus Programme should have an excellent academic record and strong motivation towards a career in academic medicine. Previous research experience is highly desirable.

Applicants must apply separately to the Faculty of Medicine for the MD programme and to the selected graduate programme in the Faculty of Graduate Studies. They must be recommended for admission by each separate programme. Prospective applicants must also complete a supplemental application for the Leaders in Medicine/MD Plus Programme. You can obtain the necessary forms from the Graduate Sciences Education Office (Faculty of Medicine). The Programme Director will authorize final approval for entry into the MD Plus Programme, subsequent to a separate evaluation process.

Students may also apply for the combined degree programme during their first two years in either the MD or the graduate programme. Expected completion time is four to five years for the MD/Masters programmes, with a maximum of six years, and six to seven years for the MD/PhD programmes, with a maximum of eight years.

For more information, contact:
Leaders in Medicine
Health Sciences Centre Room G321
3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary AB T2N 4N1
Telephone: (403) 210-9572
Fax: (403) 210-8109
E-mail: andersod@ucalgary.ca
or visit the website: Graduate Science Education