Education

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) carries a legacy of excellence in education, basic, translational and clinical research, patient care and service to our community. Founded on the principle of balancing biologic thinking in medicine with a concern for society and the whole patient, Icahn School of Medicine students and faculty create a rich environment for life-long learning. Being the largest health system in the country that is affiliated with only one medical school enables us to bring an extraordinary array of expertise into our classrooms and laboratories The MD Program combines the most progressive, technologically advanced, scientifically-based education with the goal of improving societal health care needs locally in New York City and around the world. We explicitly blur the traditional distinction between pre-clinical and clinical years by integrating the basic sciences across courses as well initiating students into to the clinical environment from their first day of school.

The curriculum at the Icahn School of Medicine is designed to fully prepare students for practice in the 21st century. Not only do our students acquire the medical, scientific and clinical expertise needed for a successful career, but also the skills to work in interdisciplinary teams, the analytic tools needed for research, the confidence to critically evaluate and apply new information, an appreciation for the social, ethical and cultural aspects of health and the life-enriching skills they require to become self-directed, life-long learners.

Visit the Medical Education homepage or email the program.

Last Update: March 2023

MD-PhD Program (MSTP T32 Grant)

Training the next generation of physician-scientists through a rigorous, integrated joint degree MD-PhD program in an environment that promotes cutting-edge research is a major priority for Mount Sinai's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences’ MD-PhD program. The MD-PhD program began in 1971 and was awarded its first funding from the NIH NIGMS as a Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) in 1977. Our MSTP training grant has been successfully renewed since its inception which allows us to maintain a 46-year legacy of continuous 5-year NIH funding. Importantly, there has been significant growth in the program.

As of May 2022, there are 283 graduates of the MSTP and there are currently 94 students. Mount Sinai has made a significant Institutional commitment to the MD-PhD Program, supporting over 50% of the cost of training; approximately 16% of MD-PhD training is supported by the MSTP training grant, with the remainder covered by the mentors’ research grants, individual student fellowships, and by gifts to the Program.

Visit the MDPhD Program or contact Bianca Taylor for more information.

Last Update: February 2023

Master of Public Health Program

The Graduate Program in Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers training in public health research and practice. The program offerings include a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, an MS in Epidemiology, an advanced certificate program, and several dual degree programs: MD/MPH, MPH/MSW in collaboration with Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service and a DPM/MPH in collaboration with the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and is a founding member of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.

The mission of the Graduate Program in Public Health is to educate our graduates to prevent disease, protect the environment, and promote good health in partnership with the populations they serve. Areas of specialization include Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Global Health, Epidemiology, Health Care Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics, and Outcomes Research. In the MPH program, students undertake didactic coursework, an applied practice experience, and a Master's thesis or Capstone project that provide a knowledge base in the core competencies of public health. Graduates will assume a broad array of roles in diverse settings including: public health practice, industry, academia, non-profit, private practice, and further training in a health-care related field or other fields.

Visit or email for more information on the Graduate Program in Public Health.

Last Update: February 2023

MS in Genetic Counseling

The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling is a 2 year, full-time course of study designed to train future genetic counselors. Genetic counselors help people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic and genomic contributions to disease.

The Program home is the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, a large multidisciplinary center providing clinical and laboratory services to a wide range of patients and families. Our faculty is renowned in the diagnosis, treatment and counseling of genetic and genomic disorders and has a proven commitment to the field of genetic counseling. The integration of academic and clinical disciplines within the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine, and the Mount Sinai Health System provides our students unparalleled opportunities for study, research, and practice in the challenging and exciting field of genetic counseling.

Genetic counseling students complete didactic coursework in basic and clinical sciences, medical genetics and genomics, genetic counseling, and bioethics. Students rotate through a variety of clinical settings throughout the life cycle; from prenatal to pediatric to adult genetics/genomics. They also complete a thesis project in the form of an in-depth study of a selected genetic counseling issue or topic. The Genetic Counseling Program is accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Genetic Counseling and upon successful completion of their study; our graduates are eligible to sit for the American Board of Genetic Counseling Certification examination.

Visit MS in Genetic Counseling for more information.

Last Update: March 2021

MS and PhD in Clinical Research

The Clinical/Translational Research Training Programs of The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are designed to foster the development of future leaders in patient oriented research. These training opportunities are intended to encourage the development of critical thinking necessary to conduct innovative hypothesis driven, independent and collaborative clinical/translational scientific research, in an effort to improve patient care and the wellbeing of society. In particular, the Programs aim to enhance the research opportunities of clinical scientists as well as enhance the ability of basic scientists to better position them to translate the promise of their respective discoveries into the clinical arena, in a meaningful way with significant impact.

A rigorous curricular foundation designed to promote an in depth understanding of research methodologies and processes essential to translating the promise of scientific discovery into solving problems of disease is central to these educational initiatives, and forms the basis of our Certificate Program, Masters of Science in Clinical Research, and PhD in Clinical Research.

The Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) is an introductory, 1 year, part-time certificate version of the MSCR program which includes the core coursework without a Master's Thesis requirement or 2nd year research seminars and journal club.

The Masters of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) is a 2-year program that provides an exceptional educational experience to outstanding health professionals, such as clinical / post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty, veterinarians, nurse PhD's, allied health professionals, and other trainees (MD, MD /PhD, and basic science PhD students) with the knowledge, skills, and experience to successfully launch clinical and/or translational research-intensive careers. The MSCR has two main components: 1) graduate courses including biostatistics, epidemiology, research design, data analysis, informatics, bioethics and grant writing; and 2) a mentored clinical research project leading to a Master's thesis. The program is designed to be completed in 2 years. However, coursework can be taken over a longer period of time.

The PhD in Clinical Research is designed for those outstanding candidates who are health professionals that desire a more intense educational experience to prepare them for a career in clinical or translational research. The program provides a strong didactic foundation combined with a mentored clinical research experience leading to a doctoral degree in Clinical Research.

Visit the Clinical Research Education Program or email clred@mssm.edu for more information.

Last Update: March 2021

PhD/MSBS Programs

The PhD in Biomedical Sciences prepares students with the critical thinking and innovative technical skills essential for conducting translational and transformative research to solve important complex biomedical problems, and to pursue a career as an independent scientist. Students choose among six Multidisciplinary Training Areas:

• Cancer Biology
• Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cells
• Genetics & Data Science
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics Discovery

PhD in Neuroscience 

The PhD in Neuroscience Program provides rigorous, multidisciplinary and highly collaborative training that emphasizes translational and transformative discoveries about the molecules, cells, circuits and behaviors that constitute nervous system function in health and disease. The program leverages the close partnership between the Icahn School of Medicine and the Mount Sinai Health System hospitals to provide an extraordinary diversity of scientific and clinical strengths, fostered by close synergy across the organization including the Department of Neuroscience, The Friedman Brain Institute, Psychiatry, Neurology, Genetics and Genomic Sciences, among others.

Master of Science in Biomedical Science

The translation of fundamental findings in the biomedical sciences into practical applications for disease prevention and treatment has always been a foundation of medical research and development. The Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MSBS) program takes advantage of the full range of the multidisciplinary research education programs available on our campus as we further our commitment to preparing students to make significant contributions to the health care industry.

Upon graduation, students are well prepared for the next step in their professional development. Graduates of the MSBS program are fully equipped to go onto more advanced graduate studies such as doctoral research, and are equally well suited for medical school, or jobs in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and health care industries.

Visit The Graduate School for more information. 

Last Update: March 2021