MD Program Overview and Outcomes
The Medical University of the America (MUA) Doctor of Medicine (MD) program delivers comprehensive medical education and hands-on training, individualized support provided by dedicated faculty, and extensive personal enrichment opportunities as students pursue their MD degrees.
Participants achieve success on required examinations, such as the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, and go on to secure residencies after graduation at notably high rates. MUA holds an internationally recognized accreditation and our graduates are eligible to practice in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and internationally.
Achieve USMLE Success
85% first-time pass rate for the USMLE Step 11 and 96% for Step 2 CK2 in 2024.
94% Residency Placement Rate3
MUA students obtain residencies across the full range of medical specialties in the U.S. and Canada.
5:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Benefit from direct access to dedicated faculty and personalized student support services.
International Accreditation
Accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine.
Basic Science
MUA has an integrated, systems-based curriculum that parallels the training you would receive in U.S. and Canadian 4-year medical school MD programs.
Clinical Medicine
The 80-week Clinical Medicine curriculum comprises a research module and clinical rotations hosted at affiliated teaching hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.
4-Year MD Curriculum Overview
MUA offers a comprehensive 10-semester med program that awards an MD degree. The curriculum is designed to help students secure residencies and practice as physicians in the U.S. and Canada.
Years 1 & 2 (Semesters 1-5)
The foundation of any medical school curriculum is the first five semesters of Basic Science. This part of the 4-year MD degree curriculum takes place on our academic campus on the island of Nevis.
At the completion of your Basic Science studies, you will take your first – and in some ways most important – licensing exam, the USMLE Step 1. The team at MUA will work closely with you to create an individual academic plan for passing this important test.
Years 3 & 4 (Semesters 6-10)
After successfully completing the Basic Science component and passing the USMLE Step 1, MD students transition into an 8-week research module, where they analyze a current and complex medical care question, develop a hypothesis, critically analyze the literature, and write a paper that is evaluated by a faculty committee
Following this, students transition into 72 weeks of clinical rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the U.S. and Canada. This period involves direct diagnosis and treatment of real patients, under the supervision of medical professionals. Students often use this period to determine what medical specialty they’d like to pursue in residency.
Near the end of this period, MD students will undertake the USMLE Step 2 CK, which evaluates a test taker’s ability to apply the medical knowledge and abilities that are essential for the provision of effective care. As with the USMLE Step 1, our medical program faculty and staff will be available to support your preparation efforts.
Medical Competencies
MUA’s medical school curriculum is based on six core competencies that are essential for the successful practice of medicine. Learn more here.
4-Year MD Program Admissions Requirements
If you’re interested in joining the 4-year MUA medical program and have successfully completed all prerequisite courses, submit the following support documents to get the application process started:
- MCAT scores (required for U.S. students)
- Official transcript(s) from each college, university and/or professional school attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (500 words or less)
If you’re not quite ready to enter the MD program but would like to jumpstart your medical career journey, view our pre-med programs and choose the one that’s right for you.
A Message from the Premier of Nevis
This cooperative relationship with the local government and health authorities has helped create an impactful learning environment where 1,800+ students have earned their medical degrees.
MD Program Tuition and Fees
At MUA, we believe that everyone who is passionate about care should have the opportunity to pursue their Doctor of Medicine degrees, despite any financial challenges. That’s why we offer extremely cost-effective tuition rates – in fact, our 4-year MD program is among the most affordable of the seven Caribbean medical schools approved to participate in U.S. Title IV federal student loan programs.
Academic Calendar
Click the link below to view our academic calendar, including key enrolment, graduation and tuition due dates.
MUA Catalog
Our catalog provides a comprehensive overview of the four-year MD program, school policies and much more.
Andrea McDonald, MD
Resident Physician (Family Medicine)
Northern Ontario School of Medicine (ON, Canada)
MUA Alum 2025
FAQs About the MUA MD Program
At Medical University of the Americas, our MD program takes four years to complete. It lasts 10 semesters in total, with the first five encompassing Basic Science and occurring on our academic campus on the island of Nevis. Then the final five semesters, Clinical Medicine, involve undertaking rotations at teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the U.S. and Canada.
At MUA, students who successfully complete all the requirements of our four-year medical program will graduate with a Doctor of Medicine degree. This is an essential part of becoming a practicing medical doctor. Graduates then undertake a residency in their desired field of medicine (specialty), submit for licensing exams (USMLE Step 3 in the U.S.) and go on to practice independently as licensed physicians.
Yes, at Medical University of the Americas, successful students conclude the program and graduate with their MD degree after four years (10 semesters). The 4-year med school experience involves both classroom-based learning during Basic Science and hands-on experience with real patients in Clinical Medicine (rotations).
MD program graduates hold doctorate level degrees as Doctors of Medicine. This gives them the credentials necessary to move on to the residency stage of their medical career journey and eventually practice as independent physicians.
The USMLE Step 1 evaluates whether you can apply important basic science concepts to the practice of medicine, with special focus on the systems and functions underlying health, disease and modes of therapy.
For MUA MD students, this all-important exam occurs near the end of the Basic Science program (semesters 1-5). Our dedicated faculty and administrative teams will work closely with you to help ensure that you feel prepared to achieve success.
Students must successfully complete this exam, as well as the entire Basic Science program, in order to progress into clinical rotations.
Yes, successful MUA MD program students undertake clinical rotations at associated teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the U.S. (including ACGME-approved locations) and Canada. This period comprises 42 weeks of core rotations and 30 weeks of elective rotations.
MCAT scores are required for all U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents applying to the 4-year MD program. MUA recommends that Canadian and all other international students take the MCAT as well. Any student who has taken the MCAT, including non-U.S. students, must submit their scores.
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Terms & conditions
1. First-time pass rate defined as total number of students passing the USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt divided by the total number of students taking USMLE Step 1 for the first time in calendar year 2024. In order to sit for the USMLE Step 1 exam, the student must successfully complete the Basic Science curriculum and such other prerequisites as the school may establish at its discretion.
2. First-time pass rate defined as total number of students passing the USMLE Step 2 CK on their first attempt divided by the total number of students taking USMLE Step 2 CK for the first time in calendar year 2024. In order to sit for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam, the student must successfully complete the Clinical Medicine curriculum and such other prerequisites as the school may establish at its discretion.
3. 94% Three-Year Residency Placement Rate is the percent of students attaining a residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 who were active applicants in the NRMP match or attained a residency outside the NRMP match.