Harvard Medical School (HMS) offers Harvard medical students the opportunity to complete a Master of Science (SM) degree between the third and fourth years of medical school, following completion of the Principal Clinical Experience (PCE) phase of the MD curriculum. Students who enroll in the MD-SM dual degree between the third and fourth years of medical school complete a 36-credit Master of Science course of study, which includes a four-credit capstone requirement in addition to the requirements for the MD degree. The dual MD-SM degree is currently offered in the Bioethics, Healthcare Quality and Safety and Media Medicine and Health.
MD-SM students receive the SM degree upon successful completion of both programs and conferral of the doctoral degree. Students must inform their Academic Society and the HMS Registrar’s Office of their intention to pursue a joint degree by May 31 for the fall term and by October 31 for the spring term.
For more information, please visit the HMS Graduate Education website.
MD students must complete the entire Principal Clinical Experience (PCE) before enrolling in any master’s degree program. The master’s degree must be completed prior to the final/graduation year at HMS.
Updated 11/28/23