Current Academic Programs

The School of Graduate Studies and Research (SOGSR) is a national resource for the education of PhDs in Biomedical sciences, Masters of Science in Public Health (MSPH), and more recently, Masters in Clinical Investigation (MSCI). Since 1970, Meharry has conferred more than 15 percent of the PhD degrees awarded nationally to African Americans in biomedical sciences. Graduates of the School serve on the faculties of America’s best universities as well as in leadership roles for many of the nation’s health, pharmaceutical, and biomedical technology corporations. Students who select Meharry Medical College Graduate School for their education, participate in innovative and cutting-edge research programs with a special emphasis in diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect underserved populations.

PhD Program

The doctoral program leads to the interdisciplinary PhD in biomedical sciences with major emphasis in cancer biology, microbiology and immunology, neuroscience and pharmacology. The doctoral program is divided into core, major emphasis, and dissertation phases. The core phase occupies the first year of study; all students enroll in courses defined as the core curriculum courses. During the major emphasis phase, students complete advanced courses and begin research in one of the major emphasis areas. The major emphasis phase ends when the student passes comprehensive examinations, thereby designating the student a candidate for the PhD degree. During the dissertation phase, the student completes his/her research and writes a dissertation.  To be granted the doctoral degree, the student must either publish or have accepted for publication a manuscript as first author in a peer-review journal, as well as present a public seminar on the dissertation research.

MD/PhD Program

The MD/PhD program is offered jointly by the School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies and Research. The program trains leaders in academic medicine by providing education in medicine and immersion in a research program of excellence.   Students considered for admission to the combined degree program must meet the admission requirements of both the medical and graduate schools. Students enrolled in the MD/PhD program matriculate in the School of Medicine for the first two years of their training. After successful performance on the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Part I, students began their research training inclusive of graduate level courses. Once the PhD requirements are successfully completed, inclusive of publishing a manuscript and successfully defending a dissertation, students re-enter their medical studies and complete the medical school curriculum.

MSPH Program

The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) is offered by the Division of Public Health Practice, School of Graduate Studies and Research. The MSPH degree program is committed to training students who seek optimal health for people, and their communities. Students in the MSPH program receive a foundation in the basics of public health and participate in externships, which have included the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Department of Veterans Affairs, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Harvard University, Tennessee Hospital Association, and the American Cancer Society.  These externships lead to excellent opportunities for future employment as health professionals in the public, private and voluntary health agency sectors at the local, state, federal and international levels.   

MSCI Program

The Clinical Research Education and Career Development (CRECD) program at Meharry Medical College offers a two-year fellowship for Physicians and other doctoral-level care professionals leading to a Masters of Science for Clinical Investigation (MSCI) degree.  The program’s ambitions are to expand the cadre of well-trained clinical researchers, particularly minorities, and foster careers in clinical investigation that will address racial and ethnic health disparities.  The curriculum has two major tracts: 1) Patient Oriented and 2) Epidemiology/Health Service research.  The program’s curriculum includes core didactic, elective and experimental design sessions for clinical research training that spans the spectrum of translational science ranging form molecular medicine to epidemiology to qualitative research providing fundamental skills and methodology required by well-trained independent clinical investigators.