The Basic Science Component gives students the base knowledge required to function competently in clinical medicine — five semesters (20 months), each 16 weeks long with short breaks in between, taught in St. Vincent and the Grenadines by faculty holding an M.D., Ph.D., or both. Basic Science is followed by five semesters of clinical clerkship at affiliated hospitals in the United States and abroad. The entire MD program runs approximately 40–48 months, depending on time taken preparing for NBME/USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 examinations.
5+5
Semesters — Basic Sciences, then Clinical Clerkships
80+
Weeks of core + elective clinical rotations, Semesters 6–11
40–48
Months, total program length
Admission Criteria
Bachelor's degree, or 90 credit hours, or completion of our Pre‑Medicine on‑site program
GPA of minimum 2.0 on the 4.0 system
NEET exam optional for Indian applicants
MCAT optional
Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a professional source)
Essay
Work experience
Current resume
Volunteer activities, if any
Personal interview
I.
Basic Science Component
The curriculum covers Gross Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, Physiology, Psychology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Ethics, and Research Methods. An excellent student‑professor ratio provides ample opportunity to interact with professors personally, in addition to the classroom setting. Clinical integration begins in the very first semester — relevant clinical cases are presented and discussed alongside didactic lectures in every course.
Subject
Credits
Anatomy
14
Embryology
6
Histology
10
Clinical Correlation
2
Total
32
Subject
Credits
Physiology
10
Biochemistry
8
Genetics
2
Neurosciences
6
Clinical Correlation II
2
Research I
2
Total
30
Subject
Credits
Pathology I
11
Microbiology
8
Epidemiology & Statistics
4
Behavioral Science
8
Clinical Correlation III
2
Research II
2
Total
35
Subject
Credits
Pathology II
11
Pharmacology
10
Physical Diagnosis
10
Research III
2
Clinical Correlation IV
2
Total
35
Subject
Credits
Basic Sciences Board Review
20
Clinical Medicine
8
Integrative Medicine
2
Observership (2 weeks)
4
Total
34
Total Basic Sciences credits, MD1–MD5: 166.
II.
Clinical Sciences Component
20+ months
Students must pass NBME Comprehensive and/or USMLE Step 1 before beginning the 80 weeks of core and elective clinical rotations. Students not from the United States or Canada, and who do not plan on obtaining licensure there, are required to pass the NBME examinations at a score set by the school.
Hospital entry requirements
Students must demonstrate a passing score in an NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Self‑Assessment (CBSSA) before taking the CBSE.
A passing CBSE score is valid for 12 weeks. Waiting longer before Step 1 requires re‑taking the CBSE.
Students who fail CBSE must retake it within 12 weeks — later attempts go to the Exam & Promotions Committee. Students have four attempts to pass.
Failing the third CBSE attempt may result in a leave of absence / probation.
Failing the final CBSE attempt is grounds for dismissal from the MD degree program.
Students must sit USMLE Step 1 no later than 12 weeks after passing CBSE, or be referred to the Promotions Committee.
Successful completion of the Clinical Clerkship Program (≥80 weeks, Semesters 6–11) is required for graduation — 48 weeks Core Clerkship (Semesters 6–9) and 32+ weeks Elective Clerkship (Semesters 10–11).
Students select a plan of 7 electives and 1 selective, tailored to their career interest — improving match chances for residency in their specialty of choice.
EndocrinologyOphthalmologyCritical CareDermatologyOrthopedicsAllergologyGastroenterologyResearchPulmonologyRadiologyOccupational MedicineRehabilitation MedicineRheumatologyHematologyNephrologyUrologyResearch in MedicinePublic Health
Selective rotation — one mandatory
Emergency Medicine — 4 wksNeurology — 4 wks
The Clinical Clerkship Component takes place in affiliated hospitals throughout the United States, Canada, SVG, and other international hospital partners.
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Students who matriculate into the Pre‑Medical Program and complete its four semesters continue onto the MD program. Upon completing the first four semesters of the Basic Science component, students are awarded a Bachelor of Health Sciences. At that point, if they qualify and choose to, they continue into the fifth semester of Basic Science and on to Clinical Sciences to eventually earn their MD.
