Crazy MD/PhD question

[Chieka]

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I've found some schools that offer MD/PhD in the humanities, but none in English.

Does anyone know of a school that offers a MD/ PhD in ENGLISH LIT? Or does anyone know a way to go about obtaining a PhD in English while doing an MD?

Thanks,

C.

 

[CatsAreKillers]

Originally posted by Chieka
I've found some schools that offer MD/PhD in the humanities, but none in English.

Does anyone know of a school that offers a MD/ PhD in ENGLISH LIT? Or does anyone know a way to go about obtaining a PhD in English while doing an MD?

Thanks,

C.

Just curious. What are you going to do with your PhD in English after you get your MD?

 

[Classof07]

Since the PhD in this case would be pretty much completely unrelated to the MD, you would most probably have to do them separately, probably the PhD before the MD since if you do it the other way, you would be receiving an MD, and then going off for 4-6 years on a separate route (which would not lend itself to being able to practice medicine). And since PhD candidates in English Lit receive stipends, you would be funded by a totally different department/college. So we're really talking about 2 separate things here. So while not medical schools offer 'programs' for that MD/PhD collaboration, it could be done, but you'd most likely have to apply for the MD as you finished up your PhD.

 

[isidella]

I think this has been discussed in the MD/PhD forum. I would post there, or better yet, do a search for it.

 

[ForceField]

You can pursue MD/PhD in English Lit at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign (UIC). It is one of the only programs in the nation that allows complete flexibility with the PhD.

 

[Neuronix]

Originally posted by isidella
I think this has been discussed in the MD/PhD forum. I would post there, or better yet, do a search for it.

Yes, see http://www.studentdoctor.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54753

The main point that I posted there is still valid here. Why do you want to do English Lit. PhD + MD? What do you plan on doing? You will need to come up with a good reason if you want to get into a MD/PhD program. I really can't see any benefit to the integrated cirriculum in the case of doing a non-medical PhD with a MD and I don't know who is going to fund you for it. You may have luck with doing the PhD before the MD or you may have luck with a program that does not give full funding (MSTP = Medical SCIENTIST Training Program).

I'm always for persuing your dreams and I really don't want to discourage, however unless there is some hidden use I haven't seen for those degrees in combination, I don't think that many program directors will be interested in that plan.

 

[jot]

both yale and penn are receptive to md/phd's in non-traditional fields. there are some great non-science combintaions - such as md/phd (history,anthro,epi etc...), and i'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to justify an md/phd in english literature. uic will definately fully fund the md/phd in eng, and i believe that yale and penn would as well. if you are truly interested in that option, your unique career goals could be a great ally in the application process. goodluck

-jot (a fellow canadian 🙂 )

 

[Neuronix]

Non-traditional things like history and anthropology are things that I can see will definately be enhanced by a medical degree. With history you can explore the history of medicine, which would be much more difficult to explore without a good understanding fo medicine. With anthropology you can do epidemiology, cross-cultural studies in medicine, or human archaeology/evolution.

But English Lit. or Art? I dunno. I just think good reasons need to be presented before I or a program director, even at a flexible school like UPenn, would be convinced to provide funding.

 

[jot]

the bostom museum of art puts out a series of books called 'art in medicine' - there is an amazing amount of scholarly work done on this work. some find it esoteric, but for afficianado's there is value in having both educations to resolve some of the long-standing scholarly issues. of course the demand for this thing isn't extremely high, but neither is the supply - so there are niches to be carved. medical literature (not necessarily didactic - there are all sorts of works written by people like holmes, even longfellow ...) has had a long standing place in the field. just like in medical science - some argue that the md education is useful if it merely gives one a perspective and focus (regardless if you practice or not)- which it would also do for a phd in non-trad fields. something interesting to consider; i think a place like penn or yale would be very interested in someone with these interests. i would e-mail skip brass (penn) or james jameison (yale) about the opportunities.

 

[Chieka]

The main point that I posted there is still valid here. Why do you want to do English Lit. PhD + MD? What do you plan on doing? You will need to come up with a good reason if you want to get into a MD/PhD program. I really can't see any benefit to the integrated cirriculum in the case of doing a non-medical PhD with a MD and I don't know who is going to fund you for it. You may have luck with doing the PhD before the MD or you may have luck with a program that does not give full funding (MSTP = Medical SCIENTIST Training Program).

I'm always for persuing your dreams and I really don't want to discourage, however unless there is some hidden use I haven't seen for those degrees in combination, I don't think that many program directors will be interested in that plan. [/B]

Good questions. I don't think I can justify doing a PhD other than by declaring that I want to continue my interest in English (I'm doing an M.A. right now, but I think that's enough 😉).

Does anyone know if it would be possible to take advanced (ie. PhD) courses as electives or otherwise while in med school?

Thanks a lot for the comprehensive answers,

C.