Becoming a Physician

AUA is one of the few international schools approved and recognized for clinical clerkships and residency training by New York State Education Department, and the Medical Board of California* respectfully. Although less than 7 years old, the AUA medical program is proud to have achieved these distinctions, allowing our students the option to complete their clinical training and residencies in hospitals from these states. This puts us in very distinct company as there are only a handful of medical schools in the Caribbean which have this approval.

AUA is proud to have earned recognition and approval from the Medical Board of California* and the New York State Education Department. Both states conducted extensive reviews assessing the quality and rigor of AUA’s program confirming its exclusive status shared only by a select number of Caribbean medical schools. California and New York present numerous opportunities for clinical rotations, residency training positions and licensure in world-class medical centers. According to recent AMA statistics, New York and California rank first and second respectively in the number of actively practicing international medical school graduates (IMGs). 

AUA is the only hospital-integrated program in the Caribbean with a curriculum that is comparable to the medical education paradigm in U.S. medical schools. Beginning with their first semester, students are introduced to the clinical setting. AUA students begin their clinical experience during their Basic Sciences semesters by accompanying doctors on rounds at the local hospital either in Antigua or in Manipal, whom we are affiliated with.

AUA students can now pursue their dreams of becoming medical doctors, nurses and veterinarians in the most modern campus in the Caribbean. In January 2010, AUA opened its doors to this stunning new campus. This impressive new 17-acre, multi-million dollar facility houses over 75,000 square feet of wi-fi classrooms, a multi-story library, a fully equipped learning center, study rooms, student government, and administrative and faculty offices -- all footsteps from some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

AUA offers four locations where a student can take their first Clinical Medicine semester when they return to the U.S. No other medical school offers such an opportunity. Graduates of the Basic Science program move on to attend the 16-week Family Practice I / Internal Medicine I semester conducted in one of four different U.S. locations; The Physician Education Group in Atlanta, GA, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, or Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY Upon completion, students are ready to sit for the USMLE™ Step 1.The Clinical Clerkship segment consists of 6- and 12-week core and 4-week elective rotations at various AUA-affiliated approved teaching hospitals in the U.S., which is required for licensure in all states.

AUA is committed to ensuring that our faculty to student ratio remains high. It is our president’s pledge that all classes are kept to a level of no more than 120 students per classroom. This will optimize the students’ learning experience. AUA also has the most modern of educational equipment found in its classrooms, labs and library facilities. The university’s dedication to provide a high quality medical education is also evident by the recent opening of our brand new 17 acre campus.

AUA is one of the few schools that offer both a four-year and a six-year medical program that leads to becoming a licensed physician in the United States and Canada. AUA offers two distinct programs for students interested in attaining a medical degree: the four year MD degree program and the six year AS/BHHS to MD degree program.

As part of our mission, AUA does its utmost to prepare students to become licensed U.S. physicians. Shelf Exams are used as final exams for the Basic Sciences courses, ensuring that the students meet U.S. medical education requirements. AUA prepares its students to achieve passing scores on the U.S. Medical Licensing Examinations™ (USMLE) and provides clinical clerkship opportunities in some of the best teaching hospitals in the U.S.

As part of our mission in preparing students to become successful U.S. physicians, AUA graduates have been highly successful in securing U.S. residencies through the National Residency Match Program. In 2007 and 2008 virtually all AUA U.S. eligible graduates have obtained residencies, generally their first or second choice, with the exception of 3 students in 2008 who are obtaining their residency through the scramble. We will continue to report as we are notified of additional placements. The NRMP Main Match is set up to provide impartial matching for applicants' preferences for residency positions with program directors' preferences for applicants. According to the NRMP website, “Each year approximately 16,000 U.S. allopathic medical school seniors and 15,000 graduates of osteopathic, Canadian or foreign medical schools compete for approximately 24,000 residency positions.” In 2009, 15,242 U.S. graduates, 14,359 won residency positions; 94%. More than one-fifth of the positions available through the match this year were in internal medicine.

AUA is a recipient of U.S. Congressional approval. The Honorable Donald M. Payne of the 10th District of New Jersey visited Antigua in 2006 in support of expanding educational opportunities for students who dream of becoming physicians He commended AUA on its immense impact on the surrounding communities, and praised the school’s commitment to a high standard of learning and achievement. Congressman Payne applauded AUA President and Founder Neal Simon, Esq., for establishing a quality medical education program with a focus on accommodating the need for diversity in medical education.

Under the offices of the Mayo Clinic Medical Transport’s Gold Cross Training Center, AUA has been named as an international training site by the American Heart Association (AHA). AUA is the first medical school in the Caribbean to have a formal program accredited by the American Heart Association. Under the supervision of certified instructors from the Mayo Clinic, students, faculty, health care providers and even lay persons take part in the week-long exercise and earn their certificates. The completion of the BLS certification is required for AUA students who are being certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), as it is a requirement for first semester students. Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) must be completed by fourth year students according to the AHA guidelines.

*Students must complete their Basic Sciences studies at the AUA Campus in Antigua or if transferring from another institution to AUA, that university must be recognized by the Medical Board of California in order to be eligible for clinical rotations, residency placements and medical licensure in the State of California.

Important note: AUA students who matriculate into the Basic Sciences studies at the Kasturba Medical College International Center (KMCIC) are eligible to participate at all other sites available to AUA studentsfor all clinical rotations, residency placements and medical licensure EXCEPT in the State of California.