Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
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Medical Scientist Training Program (MD-PhD Program)

Early career development

The objective of this program is to develop aspiring researchers in basic medicine who are able to respond to rapid advances in medicine and medical care, and social changes. To this end, the program allows 6th-year students at the School of Medicine, Hokkaido University who wish to become medical researchers to take required subjects (8 credits of Required Core Subjects of the Doctoral Program of the Graduate School) and Inter-Graduate School Classes (up to 2 credits) while enrolled in the study of the curriculum for 6th-year students in the School of Medicine.

Students in the 5th and 6th years of the School of Medicine may take the screening test for this program and, on passing, will receive a non-refundable scholarship (covering the examination fee for the Doctoral Program, admission fee and 3 years' tuition for the graduate school). While the student is in the 6th year, financial support will also be provided to the student's affiliated department aiming to subsidize the expenses to be incurred related to the student. Amount of the support is equivalent to the half years' tuition fee for the Graduate School of Medicine.

MD-PhD Program

Message from a Graduate of the MD-PhD Program

Medical Doctor “&” Doctor of Philosophy

Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Physiology,
Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University

KASHIWAGI Sayaka

Since April 2020, I have been engaged in research and education as an academic in the Department of Cell Physiology (Prof. Yusuke Ohba).

I have been interested in general science since I was a child and entered Hokkaido University as a general science student intending to enter graduate school in the future. The MD-PhD course was thus an ideal system for me and I decided to enter the School of Medicine.

At my department we constructively elucidate the operating principles of the "cell," which is the basic unit of life. I am currently investigating the effects of various ions on cellular functions such as endocytosis and membrane trafficking. I believe the advantage of performing basic research through the MD-PhD course is that one can receive a medical education. The experience of learning how individual organs and the human body work, and of being in a clinical setting, will serve as a strong motivation to continue one’s research.

(As of April 2023)

CLARC Program CLinic And Research Combination

Early career development

The CLARC Program allows students in the 2nd year of Clinical Training to enroll in the graduate school and pursue a doctoral degree while still undergoing clinical training.

The program focuses on providing a thorough clinical training; with lectures and research guidance conducted after 5 p.m. on weekdays.
To join this program, students must choose a postgraduate clinical training course that requires clinical training in the student's 2nd year at Hokkaido University Hospital. During the period of training outside the university hospital, students are allowed to delay studies at the graduate school and concentrate on training in regional medical service activities (*Coordination with other sections involved in the training is required.)
Student supervisors may be chosen from among faculty specializing in basic sciences.

clarc program

*Example of the training of medical specialist under the new medical specialist system (started in April 2018)

The period and details of training vary depending on the training program of medical specialist established for each of the basic fields (19 fields including internal medicine and surgery). Those wishing to be medical specialists are required to complete the training of medical specialist.

Message from a Graduate of the CLARC Program

I hope my advice here is useful for you

CLARC Program
Department of Cancer Pathology


TANIKAWA Satoshi

The CLARC Program allows you to enroll in the graduate school when you are a 2nd year resident. To be able to join this program, you have to belong to the Hokkaido university hospital when you are a 2nd year resident. In my case, as a 1st year resident, I selected another municipal hospital using the one of the course options and took the examination for entrance to the department of cancer pathology, then when I became 2nd year resident, I belonged to both the university hospital and the graduate school.

There are some things to consider when selecting this program. Depending on the department of the graduate school, it may be impossible to apply this program, so if you are interested you should confirm that in advance. Then, depending on the rotation schedule you select as a 2nd year resident, you will be not able to attend the graduate school, so you have to consult to the clinical department you rotate to. I selected the department of surgical pathology for most of the time in the program.

Thanks to generous assistance and support, I could train in the diagnosis of pathologies, and also participate in the graduate school. Much of what you learn in surgical pathology can be applied to the research, and I think I made the right choice. The CLARC Program will not fit people who want to train in some clinical departments as a resident, but for people who want to attend a specialist course earlier or who have decided what they want to do, this program will be attractive, although it will be hard to keep up. I hope my advice here is useful for you.

(As of April 2016)

(Current Affiliation: Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery, Hokkaido University)

TANIKAWA Satoshi TANIKAWA Satoshi