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Medical Schools in Alabama
Medical Schools in Alabama
Several schools in the state of Alabama offer medical programs, three of which we will focus on in this article. In addition to the program descriptions, you will find a school comparison chart and details on program admittance requirements.
University of South Alabama College of Medicine
The College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama offers two degree programs: the MD program and the PhD program. The MD program is a four-year program geared to those wanting to become a medical doctor. The PhD program is meant for students looking for a graduate degree in basic medical sciences. The MD program offers a curriculum that involves two years of in-class traditional learning and two years of clinical hands-on work. For the clinical portion of the MD program, there are overseas opportunities for students wanting to complete a medical mission trip. Overseas clinical experiences can provide students with immersive cultural and practical opportunities in regions with low access to health care. Scholarships are available for the MD program. The PhD program offers six tracks of educational focus, a few of which include biomedical engineering, cell and molecular biology, and vascular biology.
<h2 id="section---AlabamaCollegeOfOsteopathicMedicine"> Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine</h2><p>The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine was born out of necessity in order to provide a physician pipeline to address the shortage of primary care physicians in rural and underserved areas in Alabama. The four-year program prepares students for a residency and clerkships in various disciplines, including family medicine, hospice and palliative care, and pediatrics, among others. The first two years of the program are pre-clinical and are comprised of a traditional classroom setting as well as labs and hands-on practice. The third and fourth years allow students to work in a clinical setting in their core clerkship/discipline. The school assists graduate medical students with finding a residency placement and boasts a 99% residency placement rate. The college also offers dual-degree programs, which allows students to combine their medical research and skill set with another industry, such as business or public policy.
</p><h2 id="section---EdwardViaCollegeOfOsteopathicMedicineAuburnCampus"> Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn Campus</h2><p>This college offers a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program. Students follow a traditional learning approach for the first two years of their program through online learning sessions, small group sessions, and lectures. In the third and fourth years, students will be exposed to a clinical environment, working in primarily rural, underserved areas to gain experience and exposure in a hospital setting. In the fourth year, students will find a rotation of clinical practices including pediatrics, psychiatry, and gynecology, among others. A unique feature of this school is a simulation center that gives students the ability to train and practice their clinical procedures in a safe environment. Students have the opportunity to participate in the school's medical outreach program, which provides permanent clinics in developing countries.
</p><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>School Name </th><th> Programs Offered </th><th> Tuition (2019-2020)</th></tr>
<tr><td>University of South Alabama College of Medicine</td><td> MD Program </td><td> $7,956* (in-state graduate tuition, 2018-2019) <br/>$15,912* (out-of-state graduate tuition, 2018-2019)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine</td><td> D.O. Program </td><td> $52,800** (D.O. tuition)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn Campus</td><td> D.O. Program </td><td> $46,500*** (D.O. tuition)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *NCES, **Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, ***Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine</i>
</p><h2 id="section---ProgramAdmittanceRequirementsForMedicalSchoolsInAlabama"> Program Admittance Requirements for Medical Schools in Alabama</h2><p>In order to gain acceptance to a medical school or college in Alabama, a student must meet certain program requirements. Students must have a bachelor's degree prior to entering medical school. Within the bachelor degree, students must have completed courses in biological sciences, physics, chemistry, and English. The requirements for the number of courses or credits taken vary by school. Students wishing to enter medical school should have a GPA of at least 3.2. In addition to the academic requirements, some medical schools might require letters of recommendation, such as from prior professors who are familiar with your work. An interview will be granted to those that pass the basic entry requirements and the school will decide after the interview if the student has been accepted into the program.
</p><p>Alabama offers several choices for medical school for any student who is ready to complete their education and become a medical professional. All the colleges and schools listed in this article bring programs that combine a traditional school setting with hands-on experience. Tuition costs can vary slightly, as can the admittance requirements to the program. Students should ensure they take extra care when applying to their medical school of choice to ensure they meet requirements and will be a fit in the program.</p>
