YSM MD Program Curriculum
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Jeremy J. Moeller, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Associate Dean for Curriculum, details the Curriculum timeline of the MD Program at YSM.
MD Curriculum
Building on a Tradition of Excellence
Our curriculum, launched in 2015 and updated in 2026, embraces the proud traditions of our past while ensuring that our graduates are prepared for roles as the physicians, leaders and scholars of the future. The YSM Competencies and Milestones serve as a guide for students on their journey to graduation, and the curriculum is designed to ensure that every student has abundant opportunities for practice and feedback in all nine competencies. Our Guiding Principles ensure that the curriculum is built upon the principles and values of the Yale system of medical education, including respect for student initiative and maturity, curricular flexibility, close faculty mentoring, and a required thesis to promote scientific inquiry, all hallmarks of our unique learning environment.
Curriculum Timeline
Above is a description of the curriculum timeline. This video provides additional details.
Phase 1 – Pre-clerkship Period
Year One
Students participate in the Integrated Course Curriculum, as well as Clinical Skills, and Foundations of Patient Care.
Year Two
Over the summer, students conduct research, participate in electives, and enjoy time off. From September through December, students participate in the Integrated Course Curriculum, as well as Clinical Skills and Foundations of Patient Care.
Phase 2 - Clerkship Period
Year Two
In January of the second year, students have the option to start their Clinical Clerkships or take USMLE Step 1 and then enroll in special electives before starting the clerkships during the second block of the year. Between January and July they complete two of the four required twelve-week Integrated Clerkships.
Year Three
From July through December, students engage in their Clinical Clerkships, completing the remaining two of four required Integrated clerkships. Students who have participated in the early Step 1 option will complete their final twelve-week clerkship in January-March of the following year.
Phase 3 – Advanced Training Period
Year Three
The Advanced Training Period begins in January of the third year (except for students who have participated in the early Step 1 option, who will start in April). Students will study for and take USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 and participate in subinternships, electives, and research.
Year Four
The Advanced Training Period continues, with students participating in subinternships, electives, and research.
Yale offers fantastic physician and physician-scientist training and presents students with a unique medical school curriculum that places less of an emphasis on competition & grades and a greater emphasis on collaboration & curiosity. I ultimately decided Yale was the right place for me because students openly supported one-another in and outside of the classroom and students here seemed genuinely happy.
Accreditation Statement
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and as such, it meets the educational requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.