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Biomedical Sciences Dual Degree, D.O./Ph.D.

The dual Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (D.O./Ph.D.) degree program is designed for the future physician who desires to see patients in a clinical setting while still maintaining an active interest in research. Areas of emphasis include biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology.

Curriculum

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (D.O./Ph.D.) program is offered to medical students interested in medical research and/or academic medicine.

 

The D.O./Ph.D. program is typically completed in seven to nine years. All degree requirements must be completed within nine years of entering the dual degree program.

A total of 60 graduate credit hours are required for the Ph.D. degree; with a minimum of 30 hours course work and 30 hours of Research and Dissertation. D.O./Ph.D. students are typically not allowed to transfer graduate credit from other institutions.

 

The requirements for the Ph.D. degree component of the D.O./Ph.D. degree are similar. However, there are some requirements that are unique to the D.O./Ph.D. degree program.

 

  • Year 1-up to 5:
    Complete Ph.D. degree requirements including courses, comprehensive qualifying examination, research, public defense, dissertation, (approxim years)
  • Upon completion of Ph.D. requirements or Year 6 to 7:
    Complete first and second year medical school curriculum (D.O)

Research and Faculty

Brittany Bolt, OSU-CHS alumna

I feel as a physician scientist I can not only provide help to my patients but also spend time in the lab finding cures for things that, right now, we don't have a cure for.

- Dr. Brittany Bolt
Dual D.O. and Ph.D., alumna

Meet our Anatomy and Cell Biology faculty

Meet our Biochemistry & Microbiology faculty

Meet our Pathology faculty

Meet out Pharmacology & Physiology faculty

 

Admissions

In addition to submitting the graduate application materials listed, dual degree students must apply separately to both the D.O. and Ph.D. programs.

 

Application requirements:

  • Applicants to the D.O./Ph.D. program are not required to submit a GRE score if they have earned a score of 500 or greater on the MCA
  • Applicants with a GRE score greater than 150 on both the verbal and quantitative sections and a writing score of at least 4.0, and an MCAT score of less than 500 will also be considered
  • Non-U.S. citizens must have a permanent resident visa

Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in their biomedical coursework. An academic review will occur in May at the end of each year of coursework to evaluate the progress of the student in the program. 

 

All other coursework, credit hours, research proposal, and qualifying examination requirements are the same as outlined in the Ph.D. program requirements and restrictions.

 

Cost & Assistance

Oklahoma resident and non-resident tutition rates are applicable to students in the School of Biomedical Sciences.

 

Stipend support is limited and available on an annual competitive basis. Stipends are awarded for 12 months, from July 1 through June 30. Stipends may be awarded for full or partial amounts. 

 

Stipend Requirements

  • Only students working towards the doctorate degree are eligible for stipends
  • Must be enrolled full-time for the entire year
  • Must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and maintain good academic standing
  • Normally, students receiving stipends are not employed and are expected to work full-time at the OSU Center for Health Science. However, eligible students receiving another source of income may apply for stipends. For example, students employed as instructors in the biomedical sciences (e.g., adjunct instructors at TCC) are eligible for stipends. However, these students should not teach more than one course per semester.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to apply for extramural funding by the end of the first year of stipend support, and if necessary, each year thereafter.
  • Full stipends will not be extended beyond 5 years

Tuition & Financial Aid

Stipend Support Application

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