Doctoral Program in Medical Microbiology Education

The Doctoral Program in Medical Microbiology Education (DME) is designed to prepare students to become teaching faculty at the undergraduate and graduate level. With the increasing number of new allopathic and osteopathic medical schools and other advanced medical degree programs, such as physician assistant and nurse practitioner programs, opening in the United States, a larger number of teaching faculty will be needed. Most new graduates of doctoral microbiology and/or immunology programs are well versed in their specific area of research and have a detailed background and experience in laboratory techniques and analysis of data; however, these programs do not emphasize the breadth of teaching in medical microbiology. The DME will address this need by focusing on the educational aspects of medical microbiology in a variety of curricula.

LECOM Student looking at EKG Screen at LECOM in Erie PA

LECOM Mission

The DME aligns with the LECOM mission through areas of excellence in education as Medical Microbiology educators trained in this program will contribute to the education of student doctors in LECOM’s medical, pharmacy, dental, podiatry and graduate schools. In addition, DME graduates will design and conduct original innovative educational research projects, which will help position them to gain faculty teaching positions throughout the United States.

Program Goals

The DME Program is a four-year program in Medical Microbiology Education centered on three goals. The student will:

  1. Develop mastery in the knowledge of microbiological sciences
  2. Develop mastery in the skills of microbiology education
  3. Develop positive attitudes and professional behaviors of a competent medical microbiology educator

The program provides a doctoral-level curriculum in the microbiological sciences. Students will be required to complete teaching practicums and conduct original research in Medical Microbiology education. Graduates of this program will be highly knowledgeable and skillful Medical Microbiology education specialists who will be well equipped to train the next generation of health care providers. As a result, graduates will be highly marketable and sought after.