Lincoln Scholars Program Curriculum

LSP students receive interdisciplinary, hands-on, clinical experience throughout all 4 years of their medical training. We believe by training our future physicians in rural  communities and collaborating with a variety of healthcare professionals, we can improve access to quality, patient-centered healthcare in rural Southern Illinois. 

Lincoln scholars in lab
Lincoln scholars in lab

Curriculum

Interests:
•    Ideal for pre-med students looking to strengthen their academic profile.
•    Also for students interested in dental school or becoming physician’s assistants.
•    There is no research component; only assistance with MCAT and medical school applications.

Majors:
Biology, biopsychology, epidemiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, biotechnology, pharmacology, neuroscience

Costs:
•    Tuition

Location:
•    Carbondale, IL campus
•    Live and/or graduated from a university/college in the US
•    Students looking for graduate school in a small- to mid-sized town/university should be given priority

GPA = 3.2+
Must be a US citizen

Interests:
•    Biology (molecular/cellular/developmental)
•    Neurobiology (molecular/cellular)
•    Neurophysiology
•    Neuroscience (systems/behavioral/cognitive)
•    Biochemistry
•    Physiology
•    Microbiology
•    Research 
•    Lab work

Majors:
Biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, genetics, biopsychology and/or related majors with strong biological coursework

Costs:
•    Financial assistance is available through teaching or research assistantships that include a stipend and a tuition waiver

Location:
•    Carbondale, IL campus
•    Live and/or graduated from a university/college in the Midwest
•    Students looking for graduate school in a small- to mid-sized town/university should be given priority

GPA = 3.2+
Must have US work authorization
Eligible for US visa sponsorship

Interests:
•    Molecular biology
•    Cellular biology
•    Neurobiology
•    Microbiology
•    Biochemistry
•    Drug discovery
•    Drug development
•    Research
•    Lab work

Majors:
Biology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience and biopsychology, epidemiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, cell biology, molecular biology, psychology

Costs:
•    Financial assistance is available through research assistantships that include a stipend and a tuition waiver

Location:
•    Springfield, IL campus 
•    Live and/or graduated from a university/college in the Midwest
•    Students looking for graduate school in a small-to mid-sized town/university should be given priority

GPA = 3.2+
Must have US work authorization
Eligible for US visa sponsorship

Interests:
• Chemistry
• Drug discovery
• Drug development
• Research
• Lab work

Majors:
Computer science, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry

Costs:
Financial assistance is available through research assistantships that include a stipend and a tuition waiver

Location:
• Edwardsville, IL campus
• Live and/or graduated from a university/college in the Midwest
• Students looking for graduate school in a small-to mid-sized town/university should be given priority

GPA = 3.2+
Must have US work authorization
Eligible for US visa sponsorship

 
Education tracks

Lincoln Scholars track

Location: 
All training based in Carbondale and the surrounding rural communities

Schedule: 
Begins in May and continues year-round. Optional summer CARES project offered after MS1 in  lieu of a summer break.

Curriculum:
Utilizes problem-based learning with resource sessions to support self-directed study. Immersive, interdisciplinary training combined with Physician Assistant (PA) students during MS1. Annual professional development retreats, with an emphasis on service, leadership, wellness, and self-help skill building throughout the curriculum.

Program organization:
Unit curriculum driven by Organ Systems with continuity streamers in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Histology, Pharmacology and Behavioral Science

Mentors and Preceptors: 
Paired with a Mentor in year one with weekly continuity throughout all four years of training

Clinical experience:
Standard clinical settings in and around the Carbondale area. Continued emphasis on interdisciplinary patient care teams in the Interdisciplinary Family Care Clinic (IFCC).

Class size: 
8 students admitted annually 

Standard track

Location: 
MS1 in Carbondale, then Springfield for MS2 - MS4

Schedule: 
Begins in August with a summer break before second year and third year. Optional summer CARES project offered after MS1 in lieu of a summer break.

Curriculum:
Utilizes problem-based learning and resource sessions. Standard curriculum with single discipline training. Leadership, wellness and self-help skill development emphasized throughout the curriculum.

Program organization:
Block schedule of Pharmacology and Pathology taught separately once you matriculate to Springfield

Mentors and Preceptors:
Mentor training during first year then paired with a Preceptor in Springfield for MS2 and MS3

Clinical experience:
Standard clinical settings in Springfield Clinics and Hospitals

Class size:
72 students admitted annually
 

Is it right for me?

  • Our students have a vested interest in practicing medicine in rural, underserved areas of Southern Illinois.
  • Our students prioritize quality, patient-centered, clinical care.
  • Our students are collaborative, participating in an interdisciplinary curriculum, and learning alongside other future healthcare professionals.
  • Our students’ interests include, but are not limited to, Primary Care specialties (Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, and OBGYN)
  • Our students are eager to start working in a clinical setting and will start seeing patients their first year of medical school.

Ready to apply? Click the link below.