Drexel University announced it will add an accelerated three‑year medical degree alongside its traditional four‑year MD program, with the first cohort expected in the 2028–29 academic year. The school said the shorter pathway is intended to address physician shortages, particularly in primary care, while lowering student debt burdens. Drexel will retain the four‑year option and said the three‑year track is designed for eligible applicants who commit to targeted specialties or underserved markets. The university emphasized faculty oversight to preserve training rigour while streamlining clinical placements. Other medical schools will monitor Drexel’s accreditation steps and outcomes closely; if successful, the model could shift applicant behavior, residency pipelines and institutional finances as medical education adapts to workforce and affordability pressures.