Summer Undergrad Programs

You don't have to be enrolled at UT Southwestern Medical Center to begin furthering a career in medicine. We offer students exciting opportunities to do research or get involved in the clinical side of medicine during summers of their undergraduate years.     

Undergrad Research Programs

Two research-related programs are offered for undergrads:

  • Summer Undergraduate Medical Research Fellows Program (SUMR)
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)

Summer Undergraduate Medical Research Fellows Program (SUMR)

The SUMR program identifies and develops promising student researchers who intend to pursue careers in medicine and research, but who may not pursue formal graduate education (i.e., Ph.D. doctoral training). The program is for both undergraduates as well as current medical students.

As part of our larger program, twenty undergraduate students are placed with mentors to work on specific projects under the supervision of the mentor and fellows in the mentor's laboratory. Students are encouraged to attend a series of weekly seminars in which faculty researchers discuss the fundamentals of basic and clinical research.

A stipend of $3,000 will be provided for a 10-week fellowship period as well as housing for those who are not Dallas residents. Students are permitted to take a week off during the 10-week period. Texas residency is required, as well as U.S. citizenship due to grant funding.

Participants that demonstrate exceptional potential during their participation in this program will be eligible to reapply in subsequent summers.

The online application form is due February 15. Learn more about the Summer Research Program for Medical Students.

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)

The SURF program at UT Southwestern is an intensive summer research training experience designed for students who are preparing for careers in biological research. Fellows spend 10 weeks pursuing individual research projects in the laboratories of UT Southwestern Graduate School faculty members.

Undergrad Clinical Training

UT Southwestern offers a selection of programs for undergrads interested in the clinical side of medicine. 

For students who want clinical experience, three programs are offered: the Collegiate Fellows Program and the Volunteer Program, both coordinated through the Volunteer Office at Parkland Memorial Hospital (214-590-8827), and the Student Volunteer Program, offered through Children's Medical Center.

  • Parkland Collegiate Fellows Program: A paid summer program for residents of Dallas County and surrounding areas. The program lasts for nine weeks starting in June.
  • Parkland Volunteer Program: Available year-round, it has no applicant restrictions. Student volunteers are scheduled at least three hours once a week on a regular schedule.
  • Children's Student Volunteer Program: Children's Student Volunteer Program is designed to encourage students to provide volunteer support to the hospital, to learn more about health-related career opportunities, and to encourage personal responsibility. The summer program is designed specifically for teens ages 14 through 18 and for qualifying college students.