The Pathway Programs are a core component of the MCG 3+ curriculum , designed to support students as they prepare for the wide range of career opportunities that exist in modern healthcare. Built on a competency-based educational framework, the pathway structure allows students to individualize elements of their medical education while continuing to meet all established MD program requirements and accreditation standards. Pathways are structured curricular options within the MD program and do not alter degree requirements or expectations.
Additionally, throughout the entire curriculum, students engage in a longitudinal EPA focused course called Patient Centered Learning to develop and refine their patient care skills.
The Georgia PGY-1 Pathway
An accelerated pathway for students committed to primary care in Georgia. Complete the MD degree in three years and transition directly into a partnered PGY-1 residency, with scholarship-supported and regional campus options available.
The Georgia PGY-1 Pathway is an accelerated, career-focused option within the MCG 3+ curriculum designed to support students with a clear commitment to primary care and service in Georgia, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Through this pathway, students complete all MD degree requirements in three uninterrupted years of core curriculum and then transition directly into the first year of an affiliated primary care residency program (PGY-1).
Students apply to the Georgia PGY-1 Pathway after matriculation and participate in extensive advising during the MCG Core curriculum to ensure readiness, alignment with career goals, and successful progression. Qualified students who are accepted into the pathway graduate with the MD degree after three years and immediately enter residency training, facilitating a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate medical education.
The pathway offers two distinct participation options, depending on career goals and location preference:
Scholarship-Supported Option (Peach State Scholars)
This option is supported through the Peach State Scholars scholarship program and is available to students pursuing residency training in one of the following primary care specialties:
Students who receive the scholarship commit to two years of practice in underserved areas of Georgia following completion of residency. This option is designed to strengthen the state’s primary care workforce while reducing educational debt for students with long-term service goals.
Non-Scholarship Option
A second pathway option is available without scholarship support for students who complete clerkship and residency training in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Psychiatry at MCG’s Northwest or Southwest Regional Clinical Campuses. This option maintains the accelerated educational structure while allowing flexibility for students whose career plans align with regional training sites.
Across both options, the Georgia PGY-1 Pathway emphasizes:
The Georgia PGY-1 Pathway reflects MCG’s commitment to producing residency-ready physicians while advancing its mission to improve healthcare access and outcomes for the people of Georgia.
The Advanced Residency Preparation Pathway
The traditional MCG 3+ pathway chosen by most students. Complete the core curriculum in three years, then use the fourth-year Enrichment Phase for specialty-focused electives, research, and residency preparation.
The Advanced Residency Preparation Pathway is the traditional and most commonly selected pathway within the MCG 3+ curriculum. This pathway is designed for students who plan to complete the full four-year MD program while using the Enrichment Year to deepen specialty-specific training and prepare for a successful transition to residency.
Under this pathway, students complete the core MD curriculum during the first three years of medical school. The fourth-year Enrichment Phase is then intentionally structured to allow students to individualize their education through advanced electives, specialty-focused coursework, research opportunities, and professional development activities aligned with their intended residency field.
Most students at MCG graduate under the Advanced Residency Preparation Pathway. It offers the greatest flexibility for specialty exploration and allows students to tailor their final year to strengthen clinical skills, build specialty-specific experience, and enhance readiness for residency training.
Key features of the Advanced Residency Preparation Pathway include:
This pathway supports a wide range of career goals and specialties while maintaining alignment with MCG’s competency-based educational framework. By combining a strong foundational curriculum with an individualized Enrichment Year, the Advanced Residency Preparation Pathway ensures that graduates are well-prepared to enter residency training with confidence and clarity.
The Dual Degree Pathway
Earn your MD while completing a master’s degree through 91Â鶹—without extending your time to graduation. Integrate graduate coursework into the Enrichment Year with structured advising and no additional tuition.
The Dual-Degree Pathway within the MCG 3+ curriculum allows students to complete the MD degree while concurrently earning a master’s degree through collaborative programs offered across 91Â鶹. This pathway is designed for students who wish to integrate formal training in leadership, public health, education, or biomedical sciences into their medical education without extending the total time to degree.
Students apply to the Dual-Degree Pathway after matriculation and complete the core MD curriculum within the first three years. During the fourth-year Enrichment Phase, students complete master’s-level coursework while arranging their remaining MD clerkship and enrichment requirements to accommodate the dual-degree curriculum. Through careful academic planning and advising, students are able to complete both degrees within four years, with no additional tuition for the master’s degree.
Available dual-degree options may include:
This pathway is distinct from the MD/PhD program, which follows a separate application process and training structure. Students interested in physician-scientist training through the MD/PhD program should refer to the dedicated MD/PhD program page for more information.
Key features of the Dual-Degree Pathway include:
The Dual-Degree Pathway supports students who seek to broaden their professional skill set and prepare for careers that integrate clinical practice with leadership, research, public health, education, or healthcare administration, while maintaining full alignment with MCG’s MD program competencies and graduation requirements.
The Advanced Research Pathway
Designed for students seeking an immersive research experience. Complete the core curriculum in three years and engage in a dedicated, mentored research block while remaining on track for on-time graduation.
The Advanced Research Pathway is designed for students who seek a more immersive and structured research experience while completing the MD degree within the MCG 3+ curriculum. While all MCG students participate in research through the required Scholarly Project, this pathway offers eligible students the opportunity to engage in extended, mentored research through a dedicated block of protected time integrated into the curriculum.
Students in the Advanced Research Pathway complete the core MD curriculum requirements within the first three years of medical school. Depending on cohort year and pathway option, students may complete a focused research block of up to five consecutive months or a revised four-month research experience, without extending the overall length of the MD program.
This pathway is intended for students who seek to:
Research experiences may be clinical, translational, educational, or basic science in nature and are conducted under the mentorship of approved faculty. Projects are structured to ensure alignment with MCG’s educational objectives while supporting meaningful scholarly productivity.
Across all pathway options, students are expected to:
The Advanced Research Pathway supports students pursuing careers in academic medicine, research-intensive specialties, translational science, or scholarly leadership, while maintaining full alignment with MCG’s competency-based curriculum and graduation requirements. All pathway options are reviewed and overseen through established curriculum governance processes to ensure educational integrity and consistency.