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Medicine (MD/MSc)

The Master of Science MD/MSc program helps you develop advanced clinical and research skills on the road to becoming a clinical scientist. As an academic clinician scientist, you’ll be equipped for a career that combines both research and clinical medicine. This program is only open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents that have been accepted or are currently enrolled in the Undergraduate Medical Education program in the Max Rady College of Medicine.

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An instructor speaks to a group of four medicine students dressed in scrubs
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    Faculty

    • Max Rady College of Medicine
    • Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
    • Faculty of Graduate Studies

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    Degree

    • Doctor of Medicine
    • Master of Science

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    Expected duration

    • 2+ years

The combined MD/MSc program provides benefits to the scholarship and professional development of clinician scientists. The integration of clinical and research training experiences provides opportunities to foster translational research.

In keeping with the strategic direction of the Canadian Health Research Strategic Plan and the Government of Canada’s Science and Technology Strategy, our program emphasizes:

  • the need for providing increased transsectorial and multidisciplinary training.
  • building research excellence.
  • translating knowledge into practical applications.
  • deepening the pool of highly skilled clinician scientists.
  • A medical student works with a test sample in a lab.

Program details

The MD/MSc program is for students currently enrolled in medicine who then pursue graduate studies at the end of their second year, or for current graduate students who are accepted into medical school.

Expected duration: 2+ years (in addition to MD requirements)

Pathways to the MD/MSc program

Traditional pathway

If you choose the traditional pathway, you'll take a sabbatical from your Doctor of Medicine program after completing your second year and before starting your third year (clerkship). During this break, you'll pursue a Master of Science in a health-related field. You can conduct your research in any department at the University of Manitoba that offers a health-related Master of Science program. The Advanced Degrees in Medicine Program Admissions and Advisory Committee will decide if your project is eligible. While on sabbatical, you'll continue to pay Doctor of Medicine fees but will study full-time for your Master of Science. After finishing your experimental work and submitting your Master of Science thesis, you'll return to your third year of Doctor of Medicine training. Make sure to notify the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education and clerkship administrators about your plans to return. It is highly recommended that you complete your graduate degree, including the submission and defense of your thesis, before resuming your medical studies.

Graduate student pathway

If you are a current graduate student in a health-related field and are accepted into the Doctor of Medicine program during your graduate studies, you should meet with the program director. This meeting will help determine if you are eligible to apply for the Advanced Degrees in Medicine program.

Funding and allowances

Upon admission to the program, you will receive a guaranteed Master of Science student stipend of $21,000, provided you maintain good academic standing. Additionally, you are eligible for up to $1,000 in research allowances during your time in the Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science program. Research expenses covered by this allowance must be pre-approved by the Program Director before you make any purchases.

Regulations

While you are enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science program, you must follow the supplemental regulations of both the host department for your graduate degree and the Max Rady College of Medicine.

For general program inquiries and admission questions please contact the general program email.

Admission and eligibility requirements

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the MD/MSc program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Overview of the Master of Science program

The Master of Science program is designed for two groups:

  • Students currently enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine program who pursue graduate studies after their second year.
  • Current graduate students who are accepted into the Max Rady College of Medicine.

Eligibility for medical students

Medical students can apply during any time within the first two years of the Doctor of Medicine program.

Admission requirements

In addition to the requirements outlined here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission standards and English language proficiency requirements set by the of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Additional eligibility requirements

  • Must be a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident (including those under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program or federal permanent residency).
  • Must meet the administrative requirements for the Undergraduate Medical Education Program, Max Rady College of Medicine, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies in the student’s respective host department.

How to apply

There are two ways to apply

  • As an admitted medical student:

    Apply to pursue graduate studies before starting your third year of medicine.

  • As a current graduate student:

    Apply if you’ve been accepted into medical school.

Steps to apply

  1. Contact the Advanced Degrees in Medicine Program Director early to clarify questions and establish an application timeline.
  2. Acceptance requirements:
    • Identify a supervisor
    • Review and recommendation by the Program Admissions and Advisory Committee (PAAC)
    • Acceptance by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
    • Concurrent curriculum acceptance by both the associate dean of UGME and the department head in the respective graduate department

Required documents

  1. Two letters of reference:
    • One from the supervisor
    • Letters should address the candidate’s ability to manage both graduate studies and medical school.
  2. Coursework timeline:
    • If coursework is incomplete, outline when it will be finished.
    • Indicate if all coursework is completed.
  3. Research timeline:
    • Include a timeline for completing the project, with a full thesis draft ready before starting clerkship in year three.
  4. Web transcript:
    • Save and send as a PDF showing completed coursework, etc.
  5. CV:
    • Use Common CV in CIHR format or a free-form CV for both the trainee and the primary supervisor.
  6. Research summary (up to two pages):
    • Describe the scope of research, its relevance to health-research, objectives, purpose, and basic methodology.
  7. Personal statement:
    • Explain why you want to pursue an advanced degree in medicine and become a clinician scientist.

Submission instructions

  • Email all application documents in PDF form.
  • Letters of reference must be sent directly by the referees.

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Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Please contact the individuals below if you are interested in the MD/MSc program. Information and program contacts for our MD program can be found on this page.

Dr. Mark Nachtigal
Director, Advanced Degrees in Education in Medicine
Max Rady College of Medicine
mark.nachtigal@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-789-3708

Lamiya Salim
Programs Coordinator 
Office of Graduate and Advanced Degrees Education in Medicine
advanceddegreesmedicine@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-789-3558