Fellow

As medical education continues to evolve, fellowships play an increasingly vital role in providing a competitive edge for securing academic positions. Some leadership roles (e.g. program director) may soon begin to require completion of a fellowship and/or Masters in Education. If interested in pursuing academic research specifically, an academic fellowship is ideal. If your passion is more related to providing individual instruction, other fellowships such as simulation or ultrasound may be a good launching platform to obtain an education position.

The majority of academic medicine fellowships are one year. Some programs comprise a two-year structure designed to include completion of a formal advanced degree (e.g. Masters in Education, Masters of Public Health). Both structures offer foundational training in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership, but they differ significantly in depth, scholarly expectations, and career preparation. If looking for more time to develop and implement a research project or curriculum, a two-year fellowship may be a better fit. For additional information on available programs, consider the following resources:

• Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (EMRA) Education Fellowship Directory & Fellowship Guide
• SAEM Fellowship Directory

Medical education fellowships are not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which has several important implications, depending on your career goals, institutional expectations, and the structure of the fellowship. While the lack of ACGME recognition limits standardization and formal credentialing, it allows for greater flexibility, personalization, and innovation in training. If considering a medical education fellowship, decide what kind of program you are looking for and be prepared to do some research, particularly speaking to current fellows and recent graduates.

Many of those who pursue a medical education fellowship ultimately seek to obtain leadership positions, manage complex curriculum, conduct scholarly research, and serve as resources to other faculty. That said, the potential utility of this training extends far beyond traditional academic applications and is limited only by your imagination.

A Masters is not necessarily required to land a role in medical education, though it does offer a way to strengthen one's educational credentials. A Masters is especially helpful for those seeking more involvement in undergraduate medical education, especially at the Dean or Assistant Dean level. A variety of relevant Masters are available, including a Masters in Education, Health Professional Education, and Academic Medicine. If you are not participating in a two-year fellowship with a built-in Masters track, educators can often obtain this degree through night courses at a number of local educational institutions or universities. In addition, many programs are beginning to offer Masters programs in education online.  

Consider pursuing one or more of the following opportunities:

• Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Professions: This renowned program for medical educators consists of a ten-day winter session and six-day spring session. The program focuses on six themes: the science of learning, teaching skills and strategies, inquiry and evidence in education, curriculum design, leadership development, and innovations in education. Applicants must include a biographical sketch as well as a project proposal. The application process is fairly selective and many attendees are repeat applicants.
• Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM) Faculty Incubator: This year-long professional development program for educators offers a limited enrollment of only 30 people. The structured, extensive curriculum is built upon an experiential model and includes advanced training in medical education and scholarship development. Each month focuses on a different topic led by nationally-renowned educators. The program includes unique opportunities to speak at national conferences, book clubs, and journal clubs. It is currently under renovation for the 2025-2026 academic year and will not be accepting applications.
• Medical Education Research Certificate Program (MERC) at the Council of Residency Directors (CORD) Scholars Program: This faculty development initiative was created by CORD in partnership with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It aims to build skills in medical education research through a combination of didactic workshops and mentored, collaborative research projects with faculty from multiple institutions. Participants complete six workshops, each focusing on a core educational research skill, and engage in a multi-institutional mentored research project expected to last one-two years.
• Advanced Research Methodology Evaluation and Design: Medical Education (ARMED MedEd) by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM): This advanced course is designed for individuals with a foundational understanding of medical education research and aims to help them develop a high-quality research project and grant proposal. Participants will engage in virtual lectures and a longitudinal program with both peers and national experts. It culminates in a capstone experience at a scientific session at the SAEM Annual Meeting.