In the Plan A course of study, you will complete the 18-month medical school curriculum and the Transitions to Clerkship course, and take and post a pass on USMLE Step 1 exam. You then transition to full-time graduate studies for graduate coursework and any remaining lab rotations. You will select a mentor and focus on your thesis research through years 4, 5, and 6. During years 4, 5, and 6, you may have the opportunity to do one or more clerkships. Once you have defended your thesis and completed the Ph.D. requirements, you complete the M.D.-Ph.D. Program by concluding your clinical training. 

The Plan A course of study includes:

1. Complete pre-clerkship phase requirements for Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, including the Transitions to Clerkship course.
2. Complete USMLE Step 1 and post a passing score.
3. Grad Phase (1-4): Enter Ph.D. phase of program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. This plan provides an option for additional laboratory rotations during the early part of the Grad Phase.
4. Meet with Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine career advisor and M.D.-Ph.D. program directors to discuss which clerkship(s) to select while in Ph.D. phase.
5. Review open clerkships and make selection.
6. Complete process, schedule, and complete a clerkship(s) with Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – this will require a letter from research mentor permitting student to leave the lab for clerkship.
7. Register for longitudinal clinical experiences if desired.
8. Fulfill all Ph.D. requirements, including a first author publication, submission of an F30 or F31 or other grant application, successful thesis defense and submission of corrected thesis.
9. Re-Entry: Complete re-entry program.
10. M3: Begin third year of medical school.
11. Take USMLE Step 2CK & 2CS and post passing scores.
12. M4: Complete remaining Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 4th year requirements and enter match.

In the Plan B course of study, you will complete the 18-month preclerkship curriculum in the medical school and the Transitions to Clerkship course, and take and post a pass on USMLE Step 1. You will then complete one or two clerkships. You then transition to full-time graduate studies for graduate coursework and any remaining lab rotations. You will select a mentor and focus on your thesis research through years 4, 5, and 6. During years 4, 5, and 6, you may have the opportunity to do one or more clerkships. Once you have defended your thesis and completed the Ph.D. requirements, you complete the M.D.-Ph.D. program by concluding your clinical training. 

The Plan B course of study includes:

1. Complete preclerkship phase requirements for Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine including Transitions to Clerkship course.
2. Select one or two clerkships during third year schedule lottery.
3. Complete USMLE Step 1 and post a passing score.
4. Complete clerkship and pass Shelf exam.
5. Enter Ph.D. phase of program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
6. Complete process, schedule, and complete a clerkship(s) with Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – this will require a letter from research mentor permitting student to leave the lab for clerkship.
7. Register for longitudinal clinical experiences if desired.
8. Fulfill all Ph.D. requirements, including successful thesis defense and submission of corrected thesis.
9. Complete re-entry program.
10. Begin third year of medical school and complete remaining Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine requirements.

In the Plan C course of study, you will complete the first three years of medical school, USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK and CS during Years 1, 2, and 3 of the M.D.-Ph.D. Program. Starting in Year 4, you will complete any remaining laboratory rotations and switch to full-time graduate studies. You will focus on your thesis research and continue this work through Years 5, 6, and 7. Once you have defended your thesis and completed the Ph.D. requirements, you complete the M.D.-Ph.D. Program by concluding your clinical training.

The Plan C course of study includes:

1. Complete first three years of medical school.
2. Complete USMLE Step 2 CK and CS and post passing scores.
3. Enter Ph.D. phase of program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
4. Register for longitudinal clinical experiences if desired.
5. Fulfill all Ph.D. requirements, including successful thesis defense and submission of corrected thesis.
6. Complete Re-entry program (optional).
7. Complete remaining Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine requirements and enter match.

*Plan C requires a payback agreement in case the student does not enter the graduate phase of the program after M3.