Integrate research and clinical training into your career by pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in any of several sciences, in addition to a medical degree, through the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
Or get a taste of a research career and experience the excitement of discovery in undergraduate and summer research projects at the School of Medicine and in graduate programs in the biomedical sciences.
MD-PhD Degree Program
Be part of the new generation of physician-scientists who apply research discoveries to patient care. Physician-scientists who complete an MD-PhD program are uniquely qualified to conduct, lead and train others in translational—or bench-to-bedside—research. Learn more about the Tom and Anne Smith MD-PhD Program at the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
Combined Degrees
Fulfill your interest in a research or academic career by working toward a combined MD and MS or MD and PhD degree. Following your acceptance into medical school at the University of Missouri, you may be accepted by a dual-degree committee. Your course of study must satisfy the requirements for the doctoral degree.
Choose from doctoral programs through the School of Medicine or from other schools and colleges on campus, including:
- Biochemistry
- Health Informatics
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
- Nutrition
- Medical Pharmacology and Physiology
- Psychology
- Translational Biosciences Graduate Program
Standalone Graduate Degrees
Pursue a standalone MS, MI or PhD at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Following your application to the University of Missouri Office of Graduate Studies, your application will be reviewed by your program of choice.
Choose from master’s and doctoral programs through the MU School of Medicine or from other schools and colleges on campus, including:
- Biochemistry
- Health Informatics
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
- Nutrition
- Medical Pharmacology and Physiology
- Pathology and Anatomical Sciences
- Psychology
- Translational Biosciences Graduate Program
Graduate Certificates and Minors
Take your professional career and/or graduate education to the next level with a graduate certificate. Both degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students are eligible to apply.
- Graduate Certificate in Health Ethics
- Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics
- Graduate Certificate in Health Care Project Management
- Graduate Certificate in Life Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship (online)
- Graduate Certificate in Participatory Health Research
Research Opportunities
Student Research Opportunities
Find research opportunities within the School of Medicine available to medical students. You can filter by principal investigator, desired medical sub-specialty, research focus and more.
Summer Research Internship
The Office of Research at the University of Missouri (MU) School of Medicine coordinates a summer research program that supports students in full-time mentored research under the direction of a member of the faculty. The Office of Research provides funding of $4,000 for each summer research intern.
Summer Research Fellowship
The Summer Research Fellowship program supports original student research under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Students receive stipends while working for eight to 10 weeks on projects proposed by faculty members. Rising M2s are eligible for the program. The Office of Research provides funding of $3,000 for each summer research fellow.
Summer International Research Programs
Each summer, the University of Missouri School of Medicine offers internship opportunities for visiting international students interested in health careers. Students will work on their own research project under the guidance of an MU School of Medicine faculty mentor and present their results at a poster forum at the end of the summer.
See other learning experiences for medical students
Career Development
KL2 Program with Washington University
The KL2 Career Development Awards Program provides high-quality, multidisciplinary training in clinical and translational research to promote the career development of future clinical investigators. This program provides financial support and benefits that allow scholars to focus on mentored, multidisciplinary research, supplemented by applicable coursework.
TL1 Pre-doctoral and Post-doctoral Training Program with Washington University
The TL1 Predoctoral Program at Washington University provides career development for medical and allied healthcare doctoral students through didactic coursework, mentored training, work-in-progress research discussions, journal clubs, and conferences.
Biomedical Entrepreneurship Training Program for Aging (BETA)
Biomedical Entrepreneurship Training Program for Aging (BETA) is a National Institute of Aging (NIA/NIH) funded training program administered at the University of Missouri. The BETA program is to train the scientific workforce to impart a broad set of skills and knowledge required for translation-focused and multidisciplinary roles in modern academic career positions.
Informatics Classes
Researchers may select from an array of REDCap, Health Facts and other informatics courses.
Other Classes
Compliance with NIH Public Access Policy, Progress Reports, and Applications
Responsible Conduct of Research (MPP 8415)
In accordance with the NIH policy regarding instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (NOT-OD-10-019), the MU School of Medicine provides the course, Medical Pharmacology and Physiology 8415: Responsible Conduct of Research through Enactment, Empowerment and Engagement, taught by Anandhi Upendran, PhD, professor of medical pharmacology and physiology. This course is required for scholars receiving support through any NIH training, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, and dissertation research grant.
Next Gen Precision Health Clinical Trial Investigator Training
The Next Gen Precision Health Clinical Trial Investigator Training is a five-session educational program designed for investigators who currently lead or would like to lead clinical trials. The series includes lectures and panel discussions from leaders across the University of Missouri system, as well as Washington University in St. Louis, to define the regulatory, operational, and ethical components of clinical trials, with the goal of developing a skilled workforce that provides the highest level of patient safety, teamwork, and data quality. The program also covers institution-specific resources for investigators.