MCG Pathway Programs

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. 

The MCG 3+ curriculum emerged from a multi-year curricular redesign initiative that began in 2019, when faculty and curriculum leaders came together to re-envision medical education with a central goal: to prepare students for residency training and long-term professional success. 

Building on the successful integration of foundational and clinical sciences in the first two years of medical school, the redesigned curriculum emphasizes case-based learning, early clinical exposure during the Pre-Clerkship phase, and increased flexibility during the Clerkship and Enrichment phases. 

Launched in Fall 2020, the MCG 3+ curriculum reflects lessons learned from innovative educational models already in place across MCG’s regional campuses, including case-based learning at the Medical Partnership campus in Athens and longitudinal integrated clerkships at the Rome campus. These experiences informed a curriculum that balances structure with choice, ensuring consistency in educational outcomes while allowing students to tailor their training to their professional goals and evolving professional interests. 

As part of the 3+ curriculum, students complete the core MD curriculum in three years and then select from career-enhancing pathway options to complete their degree. Beginning with the Class of 2024, students choose from multiple pathway options designed to support different professional interests, including clinical practice, research, residency preparation, and service-oriented careers. Each pathway is structured to enhance readiness for graduate medical education while maintaining alignment with MCG’s mission to improve health outcomes for the people of Georgia. 

All pathway options are developed, reviewed, and overseen through established curriculum governance processes to ensure alignment with MCG’s educational standards, competencies, and accreditation requirements. Together, the Pathway Programs reflect MCG’s commitment to a flexible, forward-thinking medical education model—one that prepares students not only to graduate, but to transition confidently into residency training and the evolving practice of medicine.

Jump to: Georgia PGY-1  Advanced Residency Prep Dual Degree Advanced Research

Pathway 1: MCG 3+ / Georgia PGY-1/Peach State Scholars

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: 

  • Emergency Medicine 
  • Family Medicine 
  • Internal Medicine 
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology 
  • Pediatrics 
  • Psychiatry 
  • General Surgery 

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: 

  • Early and sustained career mentoring by primary care faculty 
  • Development of skills and competencies essential to primary care practice 
  • Purposeful preparation for residency-level responsibility 
  • Reduced financial burden through shortened time to degree completion 

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. 

Pathway 2: Advanced Residency Preparation Pathway (Traditional)

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: 

  • Completion of all core MD curriculum requirements within the first three years 
  • A flexible fourth year dedicated to specialty-aligned electives and advanced clinical experiences 
  • Opportunities to participate in research, scholarly activity, and independent study 
  • Preparation for residency application, interviews, and transition to graduate medical education 

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.

Pathway 3: Dual Degree

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 Â鶹AV. This pathway is designed for students who wish to integrate formal training in leadership, public health, or epidemiology 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.

Available dual-degree options may include: 

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) 
  • Master of Public Health (MPH) 

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: 

  • Completion of the MD degree and a master’s degree within a four-year timeframe 
  • Integration of graduate-level coursework during the Enrichment Year 
  • Structured academic advising to support course sequencing and scheduling 
  • Development of complementary skills in leadership, population health, education, research, or health systems 

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. 

More info about Dual DegreesMore info about MD/PhD

Pathway 4: Advanced Research Pathway

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 MD curriculum with fewer elective requirements. Students in this pathway complete a focused research block of five consecutive months without extending the overall length of the MD program. 

This pathway is intended for students who seek to: 

  • Develop advanced research skills 
  • Engage in hypothesis-driven or translational research 
  • Contribute to scholarly publications or presentations 
  • Explore academic medicine or research-oriented career paths 

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: 

  • Develop and complete an approved research plan 
  • Fulfill required research training (e.g., IRB and CITI) 
  • Work closely with an approved faculty mentor 
  • Complete scholarly deliverables, including poster presentation and Research Day participation 

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.


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