The Ph.D degree offers extensive training in research, both through coursework and thesis activities. M.D. programs usually focus on clinical work only, and do little to prepare students with research knowledge and experience. For students interested in research, the dual M.D./Ph.D may be the ideal degree to obtain.
Another benefit to earning a dual degree is a strong scientific background. Adding a Ph.D to an M.D. provides students with excellent training in scientific concepts and knowledge. This background can aid students interested in clinical work by providing solid base knowledge, which translates into greater insight into clinical problems and difficult clinical cases.
More M.D./Ph.D students than M.D.-only or Ph.D-only students are able to fund their graduate studies through grants and other means of financial aid. Dual-degree students are often able to graduate with a dual degree and all the advantages of an M.D./Ph.D degree, with no residual graduate-school debt.
Many residency programs, especially in the fields of Psychiatry, Neurology, Surgery, Therapeutic Radiology and Internal Medicine, view dual degrees as especially attractive. Earning a dual degree significantly improves your chances of gaining employment in an academic setting as well. M.D./Ph.D students also open themselves up to a wider variety of career opportunities. Ph.D-only students typically work in academic and research settings, while M.D.-only students find employment in clinical settings. Dual-degree students can work in either field.