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MD/PhD Programs

Caltech-USC MD/PhD Program

There is a joint program between Caltech and the USC Keck Medical School for the granting of the MD/PhD degree. Students do their preclinical and clinical work at USC, and their PhD work with any member of the Caltech faculty.

Admission to this program is made through the USC MD/PhD process. The MD degree is awarded by USC, and the PhD is awarded by Caltech.

This joint program is overseen by Dr. Brian Lee, Director at USC, and Professor Paul Sternberg at Caltech.

Caltech-UCLA MSTP

A joint program between Caltech and the UCLA Medical School has been established for the granting of the MD/PhD degree. Students do their preclinical and clinical work at UCLA, and their PhD work with any member of the Caltech faculty in Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, or Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Admission to this joint program is made through the UCLA MSTP process. A maximum of two students per year will be accepted. The MD degree is awarded by UCLA and the PhD is awarded by Caltech. PhD studies involving collaborations between laboratories at both institutions could lead to a joint degree, with both universities being cited.

The current directors of the MSTP are Dr. Olujimi Ajijola and Dr. David Dawson at UCLA. The Associate Director at Caltech is Professor Mitch Guttman.

Caltech-UCLA STAR Program

The Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) program at UCLA Medical School enables MDs who desire academic or research positions to upgrade their scientific skills. In this program, PhD candidates have already received their MDs, finished their internships, and, in some cases, completed their medical residencies. Therefore, upon completion of the PhD, most of these people move directly into faculty positions in academic medicine. This is a cooperative program involving all clinical departments at UCLA. The Director of STAR program at UCLA is Dr. Linda Demer, an MD/PhD and chief of the Division of Cardiology.

Caltech became part of the STAR program in 1997, with one student currently on campus. Caltech STAR students receive Caltech PhDs and can enroll in any the Institute's divisions.

The Program Director at Caltech is Professor Mitch Guttman.

Caltech-KPSOM MD/PhD Program

There is a dual-degree program between Caltech and the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) for the granting of the MD/PhD degree. Students receive their medical training at KPSOM, and perform their PhD work with any member of the Caltech faculty.

Admission to this dual-degree program is made through the KPSOM MD/PhD process. The MD degree is awarded by KPSOM, and the PhD is awarded by Caltech.

The dual-degree program is overseen by Dr. Jose M. Barral, MD, PhD at KPSOM and Professor Paul Sternberg at Caltech.


Please contact Programs Coordinator ​Raina Beaven for questions or additional information regarding these programs.