Family Medicine Accelerated Track

A group of TTUHSC medical students and instructors gather around a mannequin while viewing and discussing ultrasound images displayed on a large screen.

Family Medicine Accelerated Track

Applicants are eligible for FMAT program consideration after acceptance to medical school.

The Family Medicine Accelerated Track (FMAT) is an innovative 3-year accelerated medical school curriculum that culminates into an M.D. degree and leads to a standard 3-year family medicine residency in Lubbock, Amarillo or the Permian Basin. Our program was the first of its kind: this unique accelerated medical program condenses the traditional medical program to allow students a faster route to pursuing their independent interests and getting their valuable services into the field.

Like our traditional family medicine program, this track works with a firm mission to provide comprehensive and integrated care of the whole person. Our students and faculty strive to advance a unique model of patient care characterized by comprehensive and integrated care over time.

Students applying to the TTUHSC School of Medicine may apply to the FMAT program by indicating their interest on the TMDSAS application or current students may apply during the fall semester of their first year.

Information for Applicants

Why Family Medicine?
The Family Medicine Accelerated Track aims to increase the number of medical students choosing a career in family medicine, especially in underserved areas, who will provide patient-centered care. As this is a condensed program, this family medicine degree prepares primary care physicians more efficiently and with less cost.

How is this possible?
FMAT offers students a seamless transition between their predoctoral and residency training settings and curricula as they spend two years in Lubbock, followed by at least 4 years on the campus where they will complete both the final year of medical school and three years of family medicine residency training. FMAT will modify and accelerate the standard 4-year curriculum through the development of three new curricular experiences.

Where does this take place?
The FMAT program involves campuses of the Texas Tech School of Medicine in Amarillo, Lubbock and Odessa, so that students will be linked with the site of their eventual family medicine residency program training.

How much cost savings are we really talking here?
FMAT allows students to complete their training one year earlier than students in a standard curriculum - and with a significant reduction in the debt typical of current students. This reduced debt will be possible for two reasons.

One less year in medical school means one less year of tuition and fees.
TTUHSC School of Medicine provides scholarship support to FMAT students in the third year of medical school.

Find our Recruiting Brochure here.

Overview of the FMAT Experience

FMAT students complete their predoctoral training in three years, following a curriculum modified slightly from the regular curriculum. The training program for FMAT students includes several innovative curricular activities that ensure that students are prepared appropriately for their accelerated experiences.

FMAT 1

This 8-week concentrated course is taken during the summer between Year 1 and Year 2 under the supervision of Family Medicine and basic sciences faculty. This course prepares students to begin the Longitudinal Family Medicine Clerkship during Year 2.

Overview and review of MS2 basic science course materials
8-week concentrated course in June and July
Class meets 4-5 hours daily Monday through Thursday
Case-based didactic and small-group sessions across 7 themes with both basic science and family physician facilitators: cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine/gastroenterology, musculoskeletal, women's health/urology, neuropsychiatry, dermatology
Clinical and pathophysiology correlations material, focusing on skills for patient assessment
Evaluation includes daily quizzes, a weekly CCE and two exams

FMAT 2

Students participate in a Longitudinal Family Medicine Clerkship course in August-March of Year 2

Conducted primarily during Tuesday and Thursday mornings, August-March
Outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital service
Geriatrics and palliative care experiences
Student enrichment activities
Increasing independent responsibilities with clinic and hospital patients
Evaluation includes shelf exam, CCE and other family medicine clerkship evaluations

FMAT 3

This 16-week capstone course taken during the March-June rotation of Year 3 to fulfill the learning objectives for several experiences normally required in Phase 3.

ICU and critical care
Family Medicine inpatient service
TRIAL transition to residency course
Family Medicine Clinic
Time for Step 2 preparation and exam
Students participate in May graduation exercises but do not complete coursework until the end of June
Evaluation includes assessments used for the Family Medicine sub-I and critical care experiences

MD/MBA (Health Organization Management)

The Health Organization Management (HOM) joint degree program allows students to earn both MD and MBA degrees within the four years of medical school. Learn more about the program here.

Doctor of Medicine / Doctor of Jurisprudence

The MD/JD program is a six-year program designed specifically for individuals interested in the areas of health law, health care policy, bioterrorism, forensics or biomedical compliance. Learn more about the program here.

Life as a FMAT Student

TTUHSC students standing with guns up fingers pointed with temporary casts on

TTUHSC students in a patient room one sitting on a table while the other holds a transducer on the knee of the sitting student

Family Medicine Accelerated Track