5 Year Medical
(MBBS Equivalent) Program
Take The First Step Towards Your Future In Medicine!
About Our Medical Degree Program
Saint James School of Medicine is dedicated to the academic success of our students, and therefore, our curriculum has been specifically designed to prioritize learning.
Our Medical Degree program is divided into a Pre-Medical program (4 semesters), Basic Science (5 semesters), and Clinical Sciences (5 semesters). To be eligible to enter this program, a prospective student must have completed 10+2, or equivalent in their respective country.
Premed and Basic Sciences are conducted at our campus on the beautiful island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Clinical Sciences is conducted at our affiliated teaching hospitals in the United States.
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| MATHEMATICS I | 3 | PM1 |
| INORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 6 | PM1 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE | 6 | PM1 |
| BIOLOGY I | 6 | PM1 |
| INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY | 1 | PM1 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| BIOLOGY II | 6 | PM2 |
| MATH II | 3 | PM2 |
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | 6 | PM2 |
| SOCIOLOGY | 3 | PM2 |
| ETHNOBOTANY AND FOREST ECOLOGY | 6 | PM2 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I | 6 | PM3 |
| PHYSICS | 3 | PM3 |
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | 6 | PM3 |
| PSYCHOLOGY | 3 | PM3 |
| ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY | 6 | PM3 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II | 6 | PM4 |
| MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | 3 | PM4 |
| INTRODUCTION OF BIOCHEMISTRY | 6 | PM4 |
| SILVICULTURE, FOREST MANAGEMENT AND AGROFORESTRY | 6 | PM4 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| INTEGRATED MEDICAL FOUNDATIONS 1 (IMF-1) | 36 | MD1 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| INTEGRATED MEDICAL FOUNDATIONS 2 (IMF-2) | 36 | MD2 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| INTEGRATED MEDICAL FOUNDATIONS 3 (IMF-3) | 36 | MD3 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| INTEGRATED MEDICAL FOUNDATIONS 4 (IMF-4) | 36 | MD4 |
| Subject | Credits | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| SYSTEMS-BASED REVIEW COURSE | 36 | MD5 |
Internal Medicine (12 weeks)
The Internal Medicine Clerkship is 12 weeks long where students deal with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the diseases in adulthood, including the management of undifferentiated and multi-system diseases. Clinical problem-solving in internal medicine is based on the integrated pathophysiological, psychosocial, epidemiological and all other “bedside” information to address urgent problems, manage chronic illness and promote health, using the best scientific evidence to patient care. The Internal Medicine Clerkship is a student’s main opportunity to improve his or her fundamental skills of data collection, clinical reasoning and understanding of the pathophysiological process in clinical settings, and to become familiar with the common acute and chronic illnesses in adults, their diagnoses and treatment as well as with screening methods and preventive medicine activities.
Pediatrics (6 weeks)
The Pediatric Clerkship is a 6-week course that addresses health care issues unique to infants, children and adolescents. It integrates biology, clinical and behavioral sciences with psychosocial, cultural, family, community and other influences on children’s health and well-being, within the framework of expected growth and development. The emphasis is placed on basic issues and commonly occurring illnesses, but other less common problems may sometimes need to be included. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the clinical activities of both general 18 19 and subspecialty pediatric services, to study the impact of the disease and treatment of the disease on growth and development, and on patient and family and community. They will also have the opportunity to participate in health supervision and recognition of common health problems, in the prevention of disease and injury and other activities relevant to pediatric issues. Those opportunities will be met by both inpatients and outpatients.
Surgery (12 weeks)
The 12-week General Surgery Clerkship is designed to be an introduction to surgery and selected surgical subspecialties at our various teaching hospitals. Students are assigned to the inpatient surgical wards and outpatient clinics. The students are taught the approach to the surgical patient and participate in pre- and postoperative care as well as perform certain invasive techniques safely. By the end of rotation, students are expected to know the indications and the contradictions and the role of ancillary services in managing surgical diseases.
Psychiatry (6 weeks)
The Psychiatry Clerkship is a 6-week course. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the studies and treatment of various common affective, behavioral, cognitive and perceptual disorders. Students will achieve the competencies in the field of psychiatry through clinical hands-on experience, directly, or as a part of consult/liaison team, through patient encounters, through clinical teaching and a structured didactic program and under the guidelines and supervision of the residents and attending physicians. The students’ clinical experience will be supplemented by the directed readings, discussions with preceptors, completion of required written reports, case presentations, attendance at grand rounds, medical conferences, team meetings, floor rounds and assignments, didactic presentations and student readings appropriate to the care of the student’s own patients. Students will get the opportunity to participate in research projects and to present clinical and scientific information, both orally and in writing, to colleagues and other health professionals.
OB-GYN (6 weeks)
Obstetrics and Gynecology is a 6-week core rotation that provides students the opportunity to participate in comprehensive health care for women from childhood through the adolescence, reproductive and menopause years, and beyond. This clerkship offers both inpatient and outpatient clinical experience, and is integrated to provide students with an understanding of routine OB/GYN care performed in the physician’s office. The primary focus is obstetrical conditions and gynecological problems commonly encountered by the physician. Students will observe and perform selected procedures necessary to provide antepartum, post-partum, and pre- and post-operative care of gynecological patients. Students will be required to take call, attend conferences, and read suggested literature under the supervision of residents and attending physicians.
Family Medicine (6 weeks)
Family Medicine is a 6-week clerkship for third-year medical students. It encompasses continuing, comprehensive care of patients of all ages, both genders, and of their families as well. Family medicine integrates biological, clinical, social and behavioral sciences with psychosocial, cultural, family, community and other influences on people’s health. Under the guidelines and the supervision of faculty/preceptors and attending physicians, students achieve the competencies in the field of family medicine primarily through ambulatory clinical experience, with the main focus on the management of chronic diseases, health maintenance, and undiagnosed new problems. During this rotation, students integrate, expand and refine their clinical skills and become familiar with the coordinated health care provided by a family practitioner. Screening and prevention are very important parts of this rotation. Students may as well participate in research activities.
- Emergency Medicine *
- Allergy and Immunology
- Cardiology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Family Practice
- Gastroenterology
- General Medicine
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Occupational Medicine
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Psychiatry
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Surgical subspecialties
- Urology
PRE-MED
The first four semesters of Saint James School of Medicine’s Medical Degree program is called the Pre-Med Program and it will help you build a strong foundation for Basic and Clinical Sciences.
The curriculum consists of lectures, research, and lab-based teaching at our St. Vincent medical school campuses. All courses are designed to cover core subjects that prepare the student for the medical curriculum.
Small class sizes offer you one-on-one attention from our experienced, enthusiastic professors. Tutoring, mentoring, and one-on-one guidance are all available. Our supportive student community offers plenty of opportunities for peer-led learning groups.
Basic Sciences
Upon completing the four semesters of the Pre-Med coursework, students will transition into the Basic Sciences. The five semesters of Basic Sciences at Saint James School of Medicine will help you build a strong foundation for the Clinical Sciences and USMLE examinations.
The Basic Sciences curriculum consists of lectures, research, and lab-based teaching at our St Vincent medical school campus. All courses are designed in the USMLE format, and study is supplemented with hands-on clinical training at the local hospital whenever possible.
Small class sizes offer you one-on-one attention from our experienced, enthusiastic professors. Tutoring, mentoring, and one-on-one guidance are all available. Our supportive student community offers plenty of opportunities for peer-led learning groups.
Clinical Sciences
The Clinical Sciences are completed over five semesters (80 weeks) at affiliated hospitals and clinical facilities in the United States. There are 48 weeks of core clerkships and 32 weeks of elective clinical rotations.
Our students take up the USMLE prep and clinical rotations alongside students from some of America’s best medical schools at a fraction of the cost. Saint James School of Medicine has a strong, established network of U.S. hospitals and clinical institutions.
Dual Degree
Upon completing the first eight semesters of the program (4 Pre-Med semesters, plus 4 Basic Sciences semesters) students will earn a Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences.
This is the only medical program in the Caribbean that incorporates a Bachelor’s degree within the medical degree program, so all students complete the program with dual degrees.
Undp Collaboration
Saint James School of Medicine has partnered with the United Nations Development Program’s Reef-to-Ridge Project to develop this Bachelor’s degree program that benefits SJSM students and the local community. The Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences program has been approved by the Ministry of Education of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is meant to educate students on the modern issues surrounding communal health and safety. Students who enroll in our 5-Year MD program will automatically earn credits toward the Bachelor’s Degree. Upon completing the first three years (8 semesters) of the medical program, students will receive their Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences.
This degree also allows students to branch out into other fields and pursue a Masters’ degree if they so desire, if they decide that medicine is not the right option for them.
Where Can I Practice?
Upon completion of the 5-year medical program from Saint James School of Medicine, students will be able to obtain residency and licensure in the United States and Canada, as well as the Caribbean, UK, Africa, and other countries. Saint James School of Medicine is proud to have 100s of graduates thus far, most of them currently practicing medicine in the United States and Canada.
Why Study Medicine
In The Caribbean
Studying medicine in the Caribbean can offer several benefits to aspiring medical students.
Firstly, the Caribbean has been a hub for medical education since the 1970's, and is home to about 10-12 accredited medical institutions. For 50 years medical schools in the Caribbean have been educating and producing highly skilled and competent doctors and surgeons who are well-equipped to work in a variety of clinical settings in the United States and Canada. The medical schools in the Caribbean are well-equipped with modern facilities and resources and provide a strong education in the field of medicine. Additionally, Caribbean medical schools have a reputation for producing highly skilled and competent healthcare professionals who are well-equipped to work in a variety of clinical settings.
Secondly, the cost of tuition and living expenses is often significantly lower compared to studying in developed countries.
Geographically, the Caribbean is conveniently located near the United States. Students from Africa, Europe, and Asia can easily reach the Caribbean using several airline hubs such as Barbados or St. Martin.
St Vincent is English-speaking, making the cultural transition easy to adjust to.
Overall, studying medicine in the Caribbean can be a great opportunity for those who are looking to pursue a career in medicine while also gaining valuable international experience.
Accreditation & Recognition
Saint James School of Medicine is a fully recognized and accredited medical school. Our program is designed to follow the standards of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) as well as the standards of LCME from United States.
Tuition & Fees
Saint James School of Medicine prides itself on being one of the most affordable accredited schools in the region.
We strive to ensure that our tuition is accessible to any aspiring physician.
Our Pre-Med program starts at US $6,850 per semester, while our MD program tuition starts at $10,250 per semester.
In comparison to other Caribbean and North American schools, SJSM continues to provide the best value.

