MD, PhD in Biomedical Engineering
The M.D., Ph.D. program in biomedical engineering is designed to produce the next generation of clinician-scientists—leaders who will bridge the gap between medical practice and biomedical research to drive forward the future of healthcare.
Candidates must meet established prerequisites for admission to both the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU and the University of Texas Arlington Bioengineering doctoral admission criteria.
Candidates are encouraged to apply to the M.D. program through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) website by August 30, 2025, however, applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis through our application deadlines.
- The M.D., Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering program seeks individuals who have demonstrated a passion for biomedical engineering. This passion must be described clearly in the M.D., Ph.D. supplementary/secondary essay portion of the application.
- In addition to the prerequisites for the Burnett School of Medicine and the UTA Ph.D. programs, the following courses are typically required pre-requisites:
- Calculus 1-2 (minimum) 1-3 (preferred)
- Differential Equations
- Candidates should ensure that at least one of the required letters speaks to their ability to successfully complete the Ph.D. program. Letters from research mentors are most valuable.
- M.D., Ph.D. programs are very competitive and rigorous, requiring high academic standards.
- Apply through AMCAS. M.D./Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to apply before August 30, 2025, 11:59 PM CST, however, will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis. AMCAS will accept applications between May and November of each year. We recommend early submission (between May and August), but keep in mind we must be in receipt of your MCAT scores and letters before decisions will be made on your application. Typically, it will take AMCAS 4-6 weeks from your submission to validate your application.
- Applicants will be required to submit CASPER and DUET scores.
- Additional essays are a component of the supplemental/secondary application. Prompts for the M.D./Ph.D. applicants are located on the how to prepare a competitive application for the MD/PhD in Biomedical Engineering page.
- M.D./Ph.D. applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the supplemental/secondary application for M.D./Ph.D. before September 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CST, but will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- In most cases, M.D./Ph.D. applicants will be notified by mid-November if they are being considered as a candidate for the M.D./Ph.D. degree. At this time, applicants must submit a formal application to the University of Texas Arlington.
- Applicants are expected to satisfy the Department of Biomedical Engineering admissions requirements and will be invited for a virtual interview with the graduate admissions committee at UTA.
Years 1-2
- Phase 1 medical school year 1 coursework:
- Mechanisms of Health and Disease
- Clinical Skills; Preparation for Practice
- Intro to Ph.D. in Bioengineering Special Studies
- Future Accelerators of Medicine and Beyond (FAB)
- UT Arlington Faculty Mentoring meet-ups; mentor identification.
- USMLE Step 1 Prep and testing completed.
Years 3-5
- UT Arlington Ph.D. Coursework full-time.
- Burnett special studies clinical experiences course (1 credit). Students will be enrolled in a 1 credit course with the Burnett School of Medicine to ensure continuity of clinical skills practice. This will provide students with an ongoing connection to clinical skills development with supervised clinical training opportunities in one of our affiliated outpatient clinics.
- The dissertation should be defended before returning to Phase 2 of the M.D. program.
Years 6-7
- Students return to Burnett School of Medicine as full-time students completing the Phase 2 and Phase 3 components of the M.D. program.
Ph.D. students who successfully match with a funded faculty mentor at UT Arlington will be employed as a graduate research assistant (GRA) throughout their enrollment in the PhD program. GRAs will typically be funded for 12-month terms throughout the duration of their PhD program. GRA funding covers the costs of in-state tuition for the graduate program as well as provides a monthly stipend, the amount varies depending on faculty funding.
Questions about the MD Admissions process?
Questions about the PhD Admissions process: