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The mission of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is to improve the health and well-being of individuals and populations through cutting-edge biomedical research, innovative educational programs in medicine and biomedical science, and leadership in academic medicine. We strive to implement this mission with the highest professional and ethical standards, in a culture of diversity and inclusiveness, and in an environment that enables each individual to develop to their fullest potential.
UPSOM has a well-developed curricular infrastructure that combines a case-based curriculum with early and in-depth clinical experiences. The clinical years are characterized by an integrated clerkship structure and an emphasis on student flexibility. The UPSOM educational objectives, which are used to guide course content and learning objectives, underwent a school-wide review and update in 2023.
UPSOM introduced the Three Rivers Curriculum (3RC) in 2023. This is a case-based curriculum with more frequent assessment, greater integration across the curriculum, and enhanced coverage of priority areas of four key threads: clinical reasoning, interprofessional education, leadership, and social medicine. Students will also participate in other activities (which includes observation of and appropriate participation in patient care, community-site visits, experiences with standardized patients, high-fidelity simulations, patient conferences, laboratory exercises, and other activities). A longitudinal clinical skills assessment program provides formative support as students hone these skills.
The patient focus of the UPSOM curriculum begins on day one, in the Introduction to Being a Physician course. Students interview patients about their experience of illness and experiences with their physicians to develop an understanding of their roles as medical professionals. Medical interviewing and physical examination courses follow, along with exercises examining the many facets of physician life-in society, ethical and legal settings, and at the patient bedside.
Throughout the Foundations phase, students apply their new skills in local practices and hospitals one afternoon per week.
The Keystone Fundamentals course runs through the fall of the first year and provides language and concepts that underlie the scientific basis of medical practice. Organ Systems block courses integrate physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and introduction to medicine with concurrent courses in the Patient Centered Care; Evidence, Discovery, and Reasoning; and Patient, Physician and Society blocks. Weekly discussions, patient interviews, and examination of patients reinforce essential clinical skills. In addition, three progress tests will both help students and their coaches track progress through curricular subjects and gauge Step 1 readiness.
There are a number of other learning activities students participate in during their time in the Three Rivers Curriculum. The Longitudinal Alliance Program is designed to create meaningful relationships between patients and medical students to develop empathetic, compassionate physicians and increase awareness of what a patient goes through in today’s health care system. The Community Alliance Program is a uniquely innovative program that aims to partner with community organizations to engage students and faculty in communities of practice to address social and structural determinants of health. The Streams are a unique way students can do a deeper dive into select areas such as advocacy or innovation. Flex Weeks are dedicated time for independent learning and remediation, shadowing, research, and personal activities.
The Clerkship Phase consists of seven required clerkships (Legacy students complete 10 required clerkships througout the combined clinical years. 3RC students take 7 in in Clerkship Phase and 2 in Bridges Phase) ). They are designed to optimize the balance between out-of-hospital and inpatient learning opportunities, eliminate unintentional curriculum redundancy, and optimize opportunities for student- designed curricula in the junior and senior years. The Clerkship Phase begins with a two-week preclerkship course. longitudinal research project
The fourth-year curriculum (Legacy) consists of an acting internship, an integrated life science course, and a residency preparation boot camp. In addition, students have the opportunity to take 8 electives throughout the clinical portion of the curriculum for further career development and exploration.
Every student engages in a mentored longitudinal research project conducted longitudinally throughout the four-year curriculum. Completion and presentation of the longitudinal research project is due in the spring of the senior year and is a requirement for graduation. An innovative system of web-based learning portfolios facilitates learner-mentor communication and enriches the possibilities for collaboration within and beyond the University.
The information above details the school’s MD program.
The MD Curriculum was modified in Spring 2023. Students enrolled in the Legacy curriculum will have until Fall 2031 to complete the previous program requirements. For more information on the legacy curriculum, please reference the First Professional Program, MD in the archived catalogs.
Contact Information
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
S520 Alan Magee Scaife Hall
3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-648-9891
Fax: 412-648-8768
E-mail: admissions@medschool.pitt.edu
Requirements for Admission
Admission Process
The admissions process is described in great detail on the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid web site. The by-laws of the Admissions Committee specifically state the school’s criteria for selecting students for admissions. The by-laws are reviewed and updated at the year-end business meeting of the UPSOM Admissions Committee.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for medical students is available in the form of scholarships, need-based grants, and loans (federal, private, and institutional resources). For maximum consideration of all resources, students should complete the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These applications should include the student’s information, spouse’s information (if applicable), and both parents’ information. Signed copies of federal tax returns (for student/spouse and parents) must be provided to the financial aid office. Aid is awarded on the basis of financial need, as determined from the financial aid applications and supporting documentation.
Newly admitted students should apply by March 1, or if admitted after February 15 no later than two weeks after acceptance, to ensure that an award letter is provided prior to the national decision date of April 15th.
Upperclassmen should provide all required information no later than March 1. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be submitted prior to March 1 to ensure results are available prior to the deadline.
Students who do not wish to provide parental information are still considered for Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans, and private loans; these students should complete the FAFSA and provide a signed copy of their federal tax return but do not have to submit parent information or the CSS Profile.
The financial aid process is described in detail on the Office of Financial Aid’s website
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. Academic calendars specific to each year can be found on the Office of Medical Education’s web site. The first three years is a set curriculum 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 medical student handbook on the Office of Student Affairs web site. Students are governed by a Code of Professionalism, which seeks to support and sustain respect for each other as well as for patients. The full text of the Code can be found in the student handbook.
Grading
The UPSOM makes use of a 2-tiered grading system. The Foundations Phase of the curriculum is graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. In the second two years of the curriculum, all clinical rotations and most electives are graded using a five-tiered grading system, with narrative comments: Honors, High Satisfactory, Satisfactory, Low Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory.
Degree Requirements
To receive the MD degree, students must:
Successfully complete curricular requirements for each of the four years.
The Foundations Phase courses include: introduction to being a physician; keystone fundamentals; cardiology; nephrology; pulmonology; digestion and nutrition; rheumatology; dermatology; evidence, discovery, and reasoning; patient, physician and society; medical interviewing; physical examination; introduction to clinical medicine 1; endocrinology; reproduction, sexual health, and gynecology; musculoskeletal; neuroscience, psychiatry; oncology; introduction to clinical medicine 2; the longitudinal alliance program; and the community alliance program.
Clerkship Phase: Rotations in inpatient medicine; family medicine; pediatrics; obstetrics and gynecology; neurology; psychiatry; and surgery The third and fourth year schedule of the Legacy curriculum is viewed as a continuum and designed so students may enroll in clinical or research electives at any time during this time.
Fourth year: An acting internship in either internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, cardiothoracic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, medical intensive care unit, NICU, or surgery; four weeks of an integrated life science course ; a boot camp; and seven to eight months of clinical and/or research elective experiences.
Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination, both Steps 1 and 2 CK, as well as an internal clinical skills competency assessment.
Complete a Longitudinal Research Project and waiver training for buprenorphine prescribing.
Degree Options
In addition to the MD program, the UPSOM offers a structured MD/PhD dual degree program, an MD/MA in Bioethics, a certificate program in Clinical Research, and a five-year non-degree- granting program for physician-scientists. Students can also participate in a joint degree program with the School of Public Health, earning a MPH, MMPH, or MS degree as well as a join degree with the Graduate School of Business. The school encourages and facilitates students completing other degree programs during the MD curriculum
Professional Enrichment Courses
Professional Enrichment Courses (PECs) provide increased opportunities for preclerkship medical student exploration and growth. Examples of PECs include Medical Spanish, Culinary Medicine, Introduction to Ophthalmology, and Plastic Surgery. Students have the opportunity to enroll in PECs during their Flex Weeks or as longitudinal experiences.
Programs
Doctoral
Joint Degree
Master’s
Non-Degree
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First Professional Program, MD Curriculum
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Foundations Phase
• Introduction to Being a Physician - MED 5111
• Keystone Fundamentals - MED 5102
• Patient, Physician, and Society 1 -MED 5103
• Medical Interviewing - MED 5104
• Evidence, Discovery, and Reasoning 1 - MED 5105
• Physical Examination - MED 5108
• Cardiology - MED 5109
• Nephrology - MED 5120
• Pulmonology - MED 5140
• Digestion & Nutrition - MED 5118
• Rheumatology - MED 5130
• Dermatology - MED 5136
• Patient, Physician, and Society 2 - MED 5125
• Evidence, Discovery, and Reasoning 2 - MED 5129
• Introduction to Clinical Medicine 1 - MED 5139
• Endocrinology - MED 5235
• Reproduction, Sexual Health, and Gynecology - MED 5237
• Musculoskeletal - MED 5239
• Neuroscience - MED 5241
• Psychiatry - MED 5242
• Oncology - MED 5243
• Introduction to Clinical Medicine 2 - MED 5246
• Patient, Physician, and Society 3 - MED 5244
• Longitudinal Alliance Program - MED 5106
• Community Alliance Program - MED 5107
• Longitudinal Research Project - MED 5134
Clerkship Phase
The Preclerkship Course is an introduction that is presented immediately prior to the start of the Clerkship Phase. It includes aspects of clinical, humanistic, and administrative preparation for clinical experiences.
Required clerkships form the core of this phase.. The overall aim of the clerkship experience is to provide students with the essential experiences where they will apply their knowledge and skills as they develop competence in the care of patients. In addition, students may take up to 6 weeks of electives during this phase.
MS-4 (Legacy)
General Schedule for Fourth Year
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Clerkship Period
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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10
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11
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12
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1
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Length (in Weeks)
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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4
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What do the Periods in the MS-4 year include?
An acting internship (sub-internship) of four-week duration is required during the senior year. An AI is a clinical rotation offered on an in-patient service in which one or more attending physicians have overall responsibility for coordinated patient care. The service will be structured with both attending staff and house staff.
The acting internship should include the assignment to the student of specific groups of patients upon whom they complete an initial history and physical examination, constructs a differential diagnosis, formulates a treatment plan, writes orders, and carries out necessary therapy, all under careful supervision.
Acting internships that fulfill this requirement are offered in:
Search the Course Catalog for more information on Acting internships.
Acting internships in other departments or out of the city will not fulfill the AI requirement.
Integrated Life Science Course
The fourth year Integrated Life Science (ILS) course includes a choice of courses that revisit some aspect of basic science after students have had several years of clinical experience. Because of the level of sophistication that students have developed by this stage in their medical education, they can better understand the relevance of basic science to clinical problems. Each student is required to complete one ILS course.
ILS Courses
Boot Camp
A Residency Boot Camp of four-week duration is required during the senior year.
Boot Camps that fulfill this requirement are offered in:
Recommended Electives
In order to provide diversity, it is strongly recommended that you take at least one elective in each of the following blocks:
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Medicine or neurology
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Pediatrics, pediatric neurology, pediatric pathology, pediatric surgery
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Surgery or surgical subspecialties, obstetrics and gynecology
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Ambulatory care, community medicine, or psychiatry.
Clinical Competency Assessment (CCA)
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