In 2002, a Preclinical Electives Program was introduced for medical students at UT Southwestern. This program was student-initiated and is student-centered in its continuation. A variety of medical humanities and other subjects are offered as seminars and small group discussions. Each elective is organized by a faculty member and interested students. Because of the limited registration for many of these popular courses, a lottery is conducted by the Registrar's Office for available positions.

Medical humanities offered during the 2005 and 2006 fall and spring semesters included Literature and Medicine, Gender, Race and Medicine and Genetics and Ethics. Other subjects included Applied Nutrition; Health Care Economics; Medical Law; Medical Spanish and Public Health.

The current courses can be accessed from the Electives pages of the Web Curriculum.