Students enrolled in Des Moines University’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine programs may pursue a dual degree in the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences program leading to a DO/PhD or DPM/PhD degrees.
The dual DO/PhD or DPM/PhD program is an outstanding option that is specifically designed to train and educate future physicians/scientists. Graduates will be able to combine biomedical research skills honed in the PhD program with clinical knowledge and experience gained from the DO or DPM program in numerous rewarding career options that involve medical practice and scientific discovery.
How To Apply for a Dual Degree
- The dual DO/PhD or DPM/PhD degree program follows a 2-3-2 distribution; students will follow the DO or DPM curriculum in the first two years, then the PhD curriculum in the next three years, and return to the DO or DPM curriculum in the final two years. As such, students will fulfill their financial obligation to the DO or DPM component during the first and last two years of the dual program, while receiving a stipend and tuition waiving during the three years of their PhD studies.
- Interested students apply for enrollment in the PhD program during the fall term in the second year of their clinical program.
- If accepted, students will begin the PhD degree component in the summer following their second year.
- Dual enrollees will have completed 16 credit hours of the PhD curriculum that are shared with the DO or DPM curriculum before starting the PhD component.