History
The history of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) reflects a mission-driven response to critical healthcare needs in underserved communities. In 1973, Morehouse College received a federal grant to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a program to train primary care physicians committed to serving medically underserved populations, particularly among minority and low-income communities. The study identified a significant shortage of Black and other underrepresented physicians in Georgia, as well as a broader national deficit in physicians serving rural and inner-city areas.
In response, the National Medical Association, along with the Georgia State Medical Association, the Medical Association of Georgia, the Georgia General Assembly, and the Carnegie Council, endorsed the development of a new medical school at Morehouse College. Morehouse College accepted this challenge and, in 1975, established the Medical Education Program as a two-year basic sciences program.
The inaugural class of 24 students entered the program in September 1978. These students, along with subsequent cohorts, completed their foundational training at Morehouse before transferring to other accredited medical schools to complete their clinical education.
In 1981, Morehouse School of Medicine became an independent institution. Shortly thereafter, the School received authorization to expand into a four-year, degree-granting institution. In 1982, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) approved plans for MSM to award the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, and in April 1985, the School received full accreditation. The first class of M.D. graduates completed their training on May 17, 1985.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, MSM expanded its clinical education and graduate medical education (GME) programs. Partnerships with Grady Memorial Hospital and Emory University School of Medicine supported early clinical training, while MSM progressively assumed full responsibility for core clerkships, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.
MSM’s GME programs began in 1981 with the Family Medicine Residency and expanded to include Preventive Medicine, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Neurology, along with fellowships in Cardiology, Pulmonary-Critical Care, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
The institution continued to grow its academic portfolio with the launch of graduate programs, including the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (1992) and the Master of Public Health (1995). Today, MSM offers a comprehensive array of academic programs, including the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Sciences, along with a wide range of master’s programs in biomedical research, clinical research, medical sciences, biotechnology, public health, health informatics, and justice-involved care. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program also advances MSM’s mission by preparing physician assistants to provide team-based, patient-centered care in communities with the greatest need.
In fall 2025, MSM expanded its health professions education portfolio with the launch of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, further strengthening its commitment to interprofessional education and preparing advanced practice nursing leaders to deliver high-quality, equitable care in underserved communities.
MSM is a proud member of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), the largest consortium of historically Black colleges and universities in the world. The AUC includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College.
Over the past decade, MSM has strengthened its national reputation for excellence in research, education, and community engagement. The School has been consistently recognized for its social mission, including rankings that highlight its leadership in producing graduates who serve in primary care, health professional shortage areas, and communities underrepresented in medicine.
MSM has also expanded its educational offerings and enrollment capacity, including increasing the M.D. class size to 100 students in 2017 and to 125 in 2022. Innovative programs such as the Master of Science in Medical Sciences were introduced to strengthen pathways into health professions education, while online and hybrid programs have broadened access for diverse learners.
Guided by its vision to lead the creation and advancement of health equity, Morehouse School of Medicine remains a national leader in addressing health disparities through education, research, and service. Grounded in community partnerships and innovation, MSM continues to prepare physicians and health professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of underserved populations.