UTHealth Houston Campuses

McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston provides an extensive array of medical education programs designed to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based medicine, clinical skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical complex.

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program: This four-year program forms the core of the school's offerings, integrating foundational sciences with clinical rotations. Year one focuses on basic sciences like anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and histology through interactive lectures, labs, and problem-based learning. Year two builds on this with pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and behavioral sciences, culminating in preparation for the USMLE Step 1 exam. Years three and four shift to clinical clerkships in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, family medicine, and neurology, providing hands-on experience in affiliated hospitals such as Memorial Hermann and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Electives allow specialization in areas like cardiology, oncology, or global health.
• Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences: These PhD and MS tracks cover advanced research in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, genetics, and infectious diseases. Students engage in cutting-edge lab work, seminars, and thesis research under renowned faculty, preparing for careers in academia, industry, or biotechnology.
• Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS): A 30-month program training PAs in primary care, emergency medicine, and surgery, with didactic coursework in pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and pharmacology, followed by supervised clinical practice rotations.
• Combined MD/PhD Program: For aspiring physician-scientists, this seven-to-eight-year dual degree integrates medical training with intensive research, funded through NIH training grants, focusing on translational medicine.
• Residency and Fellowship Programs: Post-graduate training in specialties like anesthesiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, radiology, and subspecialties such as pediatric cardiology or surgical oncology, offered in partnership with clinical affiliates.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME): Short courses, workshops, and online modules on topics like diabetes management, telemedicine, ethics in healthcare, and updates in genomics, ensuring lifelong learning for practicing physicians.
• Certificate Programs: Specialized tracks in healthcare administration, medical education, and clinical research methods, blending theory with practical application.

The school's curriculum incorporates innovative teaching methods, including simulation labs, virtual reality for anatomy, interprofessional education with nursing and pharmacy students, and community-based learning in underserved Houston areas. Emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion permeates all courses, fostering culturally competent care. Research opportunities abound, with students participating in clinical trials and publications in top journals. Overall, McGovern's programs equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to address global health challenges, from pandemics to chronic diseases, contributing to a healthier society.