Accelerated Medical Education Programs
3-Year Accelerated Pathways
Rural ACE-PC
Program Name
Rural Accelerated Competency-based Education in Primary Care (Rural ACE-PC)
What It Is
A three-year M.D. pathway focused on training primary care physicians for rural Northern California.
Key Program Highlights
- Focus on primary care
- Partnership with County Medical Services Program (CMSP) to address physician shortages in Shasta, Nevada, and Humboldt counties
- Established in 2025, first class of students recruited in 2026
Clinical Training
Immersive, primary care hands-on training in rural clinics, hospitals, and community-based settings.
Ideal Candidate
- Interest in rural health
- Strong interest in primary care
- Ties to Northern California, especially Shasta, Nevada and Humboldt counties
Admissions
- Apply through traditional UC Davis School of Medicine process using American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
- Complete UC Davis School of Medicine secondary application, if invited
- Additional Rural ACE-PC panel interview to assess fit, commitment and academic readiness
- Six to eight students admitted per year
Outcome
Enter residency one year earlier than traditional M.D. students and help expand care in rural communities.
Rural ACE-PC FAQs
Rural Accelerated Competency-based Education in Primary Care is a three-year M.D. pathway at UC Davis School of Medicine.
The program prepares future physicians to serve rural communities in County Medical Services Program (CMSP) counties, including Shasta, Nevada, and Humboldt, with a focus on primary care.
Rural ACE-PC follows a similar three-year accelerated curriculum but is designed for students who are:
- Interested in primary care
- Committed to serving rural communities
- Seeking training embedded in rural Northern California
Students complete clinical training in rural Northern California communities throughout the program.
Applicants should:
- Be committed to primary care
- Have strong ties to rural Northern California (specifically Humboldt, Nevada, Shasta counties)
- Demonstrate a commitment to underserved and rural populations
- Meet UC Davis School of Medicine admissions requirements
Learn more about UC Davis School of Medicine’s admissions requirements
The program recruited its first primary care-bound cohort in 2026.
Applicants apply to the UC Davis School of Medicine through AMCAS by October 1. If invited to submit a secondary application, candidates can indicate their interest in an accelerated pathway.
Students may also be identified through the UC Davis Endorsed Applicant Program, which highlights candidates with strong community ties.
The program admits 6 to 8 accelerated students each year.
Students complete the same M.D. curriculum in an accelerated format with:
- A three-year timeline instead of four
- Early and continuous clinical training in rural communities
- Immersion in Shasta, Nevada, and Humboldt County health systems
Tuition is the same as the traditional four-year M.D. program. The first year may be slightly higher due to the earlier start date.
Program leadership recognize the financial costs associated with pursuing a medical career. If accepted, the accelerated programs provide a scholarship to help offset these expenses.
Students train in rural and community-based settings, including:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
- Rural hospitals
- Primary care clinics
Example training sites include:
- Shasta Community Health Center
- Hill Country Community Clinic
- Western Sierra Medical Clinic
- Chapa-De Indian Health Center
- Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
- Mercy Redding Family Medicine Residency
Review rural clinic sites (PDF)
Clinical experiences include primary care, substance use treatment and community engagement.
No formal obligation exists; however, the program strongly prioritizes applicants committed to rural practice. The curriculum is designed to support and encourage graduates to return to CMSP communities, and many training sites actively recruit program alumni.
Yes. Graduates may apply to any residency program in primary care. However, the program’s mission is to prepare students for rural practice.
