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UT-PACT BA/MD Program

The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Training for the healthcare professions is time consuming and expensive. Transformation In Medical Education (TIME) is an initiative of The University of Texas System with a goal of expediting the process and better preparing students for careers in medicine through the coordination of undergraduate and medical school curricula.

The Partnership in Advancing Clinical Transition (UT-PACT), a collaborative program between UT Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical School, is a part of the TIME consortium. Students enrolled in UT PACT will have joint admission to BA and MD training programs. In UT-PACT, medical school faculty will have an active role in the design and teaching of undergraduate courses. Clinical relevance is incorporated into basic science courses, meaningful exposure to standardized patients and training in communication skills begin after the first year of college, and professional identity formation is fostered by early contact with medical school faculty.

The synergistic partnership between UT Dallas and UT Southwestern builds upon existing collaborative programs and the advantages of proximity in the DFW Metroplex. The program between the two institutions is highly interactive with instruction from medical school faculty beginning in the summer after the freshman year.

UT-PACT Curriculum

UT-PACT brings innovative change to medical education in the UT System through the implementation of a competency-based curriculum, revision of the course content to achieve greater relevance, and formalized instruction to promote professionalism. The improved coordination between these traditionally disparate stages of training will enable students to complete both degrees in 7 years, perhaps even 6 for those on a clinician track. In the future, the combined degree options will be expanded to include master's degrees in Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, Business Administration, Public Affairs, or Global Policy Studies.

UT-PACT Non-Traditional Studies

At the undergraduate level, all students will participate in Clinical Skills blocks which include modules on

  • ethics (professionalism, scholastic integrity, sexual boundaries),
  • culture and medicine,
  • the art of observation, and
    advanced communication skills (difficult patients, end of life issues).

For advanced students on the medical school campus, new access to electives at UT Dallas may be chosen from a wide range of complementary programs in humanities, public policy, economics, or management.

UT-PACT Courses

The UT-PACT Courses document details the expected course of study for BA/MD students.

UT-PACT Program Admission

UT-PACT IS CLOSED FOR 2012 ADMISSION.
Instructions for the 2013 cycle will be posted in summer, 2012.

Admission into UT-PACT is competitive. Students apply during their senior year of high school and are judged on their:

  • Texas residency – only Texas residents will be considered
  • Acceptance to UT Dallas via the ApplyTexas application
  • Secondary application including a statement of motivation and purpose
  • High school grade point average (minimum 3.50 on a 4.00 scale)
  • Standardized test scores (minimum SAT math 550 and writing 550, or ACT 27)
  • Letters of recommendation from a high school guidance counselor, a high school math or science instructor, and one additional letter as a character reference, preferably from a healthcare professional. (No fourth letters, please.)
  • A personal interview, initiated by the UT-PACT office, conducted by university and medical school faculty

UT-PACT Program Continuation

Accepted UT-PACT students must maintain:

  • A minimum overall and science GPA of 3.50;
  • The course progression outlined by the UT-PACT office and the student's degree plan;
  • Acceptable performance in the summer clinical modules;
  • A strong record of academic and personal integrity.

About the UT-PACT Partnering Institutions

UT Dallas - The University of Texas at Dallas has a distinguished history of scientific research; problem-solving, investigative collaborations; and endorsements from prominent medical schools. The exceptional quality of our students, our rigorous educational programs and our outstanding faculty all contribute to an environment centered on learning and discovery. UT Dallas enrolls approximately 17,000 students in seven schools offering almost 125 diverse degree programs at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. More information about UT Dallas can be found at www.utdallas.edu.

UT Southwestern - As one of the premier medical centers in the nation, UT Southwestern trains the physicians, medical scientists and healthcare professionals of the future, training nearly 4,400 students, residents and postdoctoral fellows each year. UT Southwestern Medical Center and its affiliated hospitals provide inpatient care to nearly 100,000 people and approximately 1.9 million outpatient visits annually. In addition, UT Southwestern is one of the foremost research facilities in the world, with its four Nobel Laureates and 19 members of the National Academy of Sciences. It conducts more than 3,500 research projects annually totaling more than $406 million. More information about UT Southwestern can be found at www.utsouthwestern.edu.