In a first, Thomas Jefferson University has entered in collaboration with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome launching the world’s first-ever dual-medical degree program.
The partnership, announced by the Jefferson University on Monday, will enable medical students from the Catholic University to study medicine and earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Thomas Jefferson and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.
The partnership between the two universities will enable students to practice medicine in both the European Union and the United States.
“These students will experience two unique academic environments and will study, train and treat patients alongside their U.S. medical peers – giving both groups a broad understanding and appreciation for very distinct healthcare ecosystems,” said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health. “Health care is global. This dual degree helps us create the global physician of the future.”
Importantly, the medical education requirements are different in the United States and Europe. In Europe, there is no undergraduate degree requirement to enter a medical school, while in the U.S., students must earn a four-year undergraduate degree.
“For many years, Thomas Jefferson University has developed, nurtured and even expanded the very strong relationships we have with universities in Israel, Italy, India and Japan, to name a few,” Dean of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College Mark Tykocinski said.
“Our students across all disciplines already work collaboratively with their counterparts across the world. Our partnership with Catholic University will allow European and U.S. medical students to work-side-by side while expanding their physician-peer network across Europe.”
Both universities also signed a clinical research agreement to collaborate on various research projects.
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