Year Three: Research & Scholarship

Duke's unique third year is a time of freedom to study an area of particular interest in depth--a time to gain special insight into your long-term career goals and mature your approach to medicine.

Faculty advisors will help you design a study program that will best meet your individual goals, whether it's identifying and cloning new genes at the laboratory bench, formulating public health policy with state legislators, beginning studies toward a second degree, or studying specific patient populations at Duke or in another country. There are many study programs for third-year students. One of the most recently approved is the third year global health study program. Your advisors can also guide you to the appropriate faculty mentor, who will encourage your professional and scientific development over the course of your research.

Students spend 10-12 months in scholarly pursuit during the third year.  Each student is expected to submit a thesis, manuscript, or grant proposal at the end of their 3rd year.  Many third year students work with their mentors to submit papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Year One - The Basic Sciences

"The first year sounds intimidating but it's manageable ..."

Year Two: Clinical Rotations

"I love second year especailly the one-on-one interaction with the faculty..."

Year Four: Advanced Clinical Rotations

"...Duke just makes taking the next step that much easier ."