Only a small percentage of medical schools in the U.S. offer accelerated graduation programs, and Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ is proud to be among this innovative group. Our Accelerated M.D. Program (AMP) allows highly motivated students to earn their M.D. degree in just three years, with a direct pathway to match into the EVMS at ODU Emergency Medicine Residency Program.
This forward-thinking curriculum offers numerous advantages, including significant financial savings and earlier entry into the physician workforce. It positions EVMS at the forefront of medical education innovation while attracting top applicants seeking efficient and high-quality training. Studies have shown that graduates of similar accelerated programs report equivalent satisfaction with their medical education, feel just as prepared for residency, carry lower debt, and experience similar rates of burnout compared to traditional four-year M.D. graduates.
Program Timeline
|
Date |
Item |
|---|---|
|
Mid-August |
Announcement of program for MD academic year and applications open |
|
October 15 |
Application Deadline |
|
October/November |
Applicant review and student interviews |
|
Early December |
Acceptance Notification |
|
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Longitudinal Research Scholars Course |
|
September of M3 Year |
ERAS application submitted |
|
March of M3 Year |
Match Day |
|
May of M3 Year |
Medical School Graduation |
Eligibility to Apply
- Meet all institutional and degree requirements to be a student in good standing.
- Satisfactory completion of courses and requirements without failure.
- Have no honor or academic code violations.
- Have strong interest in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.
Requirements
- Currently the 3-year accelerated degree is only offered for students interested in Emergency Medicine. The curriculum is developed around this specialty. If selected students opt to enter another specialty, they will be transitioned into the 4-year MD degree program.
- Graduation from the Accelerated M.D. Program is contingent upon obtaining a residency position in Emergency Medicine. A student who does not obtain a residency position will be transitioned into the 4-year MD degree program.
- Accelerated M.D. Program students must complete the 3-year curriculum uninterrupted. Students who request a research year will be transitioned into the 4-year MD degree program.
- Students who don’t pass a course or required exams or who have a pattern of professionalism concerns will meet with the Student Progress Committee and may be moved to the 4-year MD degree program.
- Students accepted to combined-degree programs (MD/MPH) are not eligible to participate in the Accelerated M.D. Program.
- Students may opt back into the 4-year MD degree program by request to the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs.
- Students not accepted to the Accelerated M.D. Program or who transition to the 4-year MD degree program are not precluded from entering the specialty or applying to the EVMS @ ODU Emergency Medicine Residency Program.
Contact
Interested students should submit a C.V. and a letter of interest to Dr. Barry J. Knapp, Chidester Endowed Chair of EVMS Emergency Medicine at knappbj@odu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
To meet graduation requirements in a compressed time frame, students in the Accelerated M.D. Program (AMP) will be enrolled in a Longitudinal Research Scholars Course that will begin in January of their M1 year. Students will work with the Department of Emergency and the Office of Medical Student Research to develop a longitudinal research project with expected completion prior to graduation. The course will continue for six weeks into the summer following the M1 year, during which students will be eligible to receive a research stipend to help offset expenses.
AMP students participate in medical school commencement in May of their third year. They then begin three years of residency training in mid-June, which corresponds to the start of the fourth year in the traditional MD pathway.
The AMP will accept up to two students each year.
AMP students are expected to take and pass both USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 prior to graduation, as required by EVMS at ODU. Dedicated preparation time is built in the curriculum to support successful completion of these exams.
Yes. The EVMS at ODU Emergency Medicine Residency Program can only accept students through the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP). Therefore, AMP students must enter the match. Upon meeting all academic and professional standards for graduation, AMP students are ranked to match into the EVMS at ODU Emergency Medicine Residency Program through the NRMP.
No. Emergency Medicine residency training at EVMS at ODU will be identical for AMP students and traditional pathway students. However, during medical school, AMP students will have additional contact with the Department of Emergency Medicine, including opportunities to attend resident conferences, departmental events, and tailored rotations featuring structured shadowing with faculty and residents. These experiences will build strong relationships with faculty, residents, and staff, easing the transition to residency.
The student would revert to the traditional four-year MD program and enter the match as usual. Any scholarship granted would convert to a loan. Additionally, credits for partial courses may not carry over to the four-year program. For these reasons, it is important that students are confident in pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine before applying to the AMP.
If an AMP student experiences academic difficulties or fails to progress as expected, they would revert to the traditional four-year program and enter the match as usual.
Students who complete the AMP will pay the equivalent of three years’ tuition. If an AMP student reverts to the traditional program for any reason, they will be responsible for the fourth year of medical school tuition.
M1 2025-2026 AMP Students
Ian Cordray brings extensive clinical experience from roles in emergency medicine, addiction medicine, urology, and global clinical research, including long-standing work as a medical scribe and project manager across multiple specialties. Ian holds a BS in Neuroscience from the College of William & Mary and is deeply committed to community-centered care, leadership, and service—interests he continues to advance through clinical skills representation, teaching, and global health engagement.
Cara Breslin brings a strong background in emergency medicine, ophthalmology, and community-based service. She holds a BA in Sociology and Anthropology from Nazareth College, completed a post‑baccalaureate premedical program at the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ of Rochester, and earned a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from EVMS. Cara has served extensively as an Emergency Department Patient Care Technician, Ophthalmology Technician/Scribe, and EMT, and most recently led a Clinical Training & Development Program overseeing technical education and quality of care. Her career reflects a deep commitment to underserved populations, leadership, and team-based medicine, shaped by years of refugee outreach, EMS service, and emergency care experience.
