Are you looking for accredited medical schools in the Caribbean countries?
In order to become a doctor, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree and then complete four years of medical school training.
You can fulfill these requirements in a variety of ways: by attending an accredited college or university in the Caribbean; at a regional or offshore institution that gets approved by the Accreditation Commission Colleges of Medicine (ACCM); or by studying in another country that has its own accrediting body for medical schools—such as Canada or Australia.
There are also several Caribbean countries with quality medical schools where you can earn your degree at a fraction of the cost. In this article, we will learn about these accredited medical schools in the Caribbean.
Overview of the Medical Profession
The medical profession is one of the oldest professions in human history. It encompasses a variety of specialties and sub-specialties.
Doctors are trained professionals who diagnose and treat patients with various diseases and injuries. The primary focus of a doctor’s job is to promote, maintain, or restore health by detecting and treating diseases as well as performing surgery when appropriate.
Doctors can specialize in certain areas of medicine such as internal medicine or surgery, but they also have their own specific branch at each level: general practitioner (GP), specialist, consultant physician, or surgeon.
In addition to doctors who work directly with patients, there are other types of medical professionals that support them: nurses; pharmacists; dentists; radiographers; dietitians; midwives – these specialists work together with GPs to provide treatment for people of all ages from birth until death.
Becoming a Medical Doctor in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP) is the foremost institution that accredits medical schools in the Caribbean.
Students who attend one of these schools will receive a bachelor’s (MD/MBBS) degree after graduation, then apply to an accredited program in their home country for their residency programs.
The educational process is rigorous, with an average GPA of 3.5 required for acceptance into most programs. Once accepted, students must complete four years of medical school and pass licensing exams before becoming doctors.
What are the Caribbean Countries?
The Caribbean is a region that consists of 37 (including dependencies) countries and territories. The Caribbean Sea is a large body of water that surrounds the islands. The islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, just north of South America.
These tropical islands are home to more than 30 medical schools, which offer programs leading to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Regional vs. Offshore Medical Schools in the Caribbean
There is a wide range of medical schools in the Caribbean. Many of them are located on the island nations, but some are offshore schools that do not operate from the islands at all.
Offshore medical schools are those found outside of their respective countries and have their accreditation granted by a regional body rather than an international organization, like ACCM or CAAM-HP.
For example, St George’s University is located in Grenada but has its accreditation through CAAM-HP because it’s an offshore school with campuses scattered throughout the region.
List of Accredited Medical Schools in the Caribbean
In this article, we will be reviewing the medical schools in the Caribbean that have been accredited by the two relevant accreditation bodies in the region, viz: CAAM-HP and ACCM.
Thus, medical schools in Cuba will not count as they are only accredited by the nation’s Ministry of Health, in a bid to retain its sovereignty.
# CAAM-HP Accredited Medical Schools
Caribbean Association of Academic Medical Hospitals and Health Professions (CAAM-HP) is a member association representing academic hospitals, health workers, and other related institutions in the Caribbean region. Its mission is to promote quality patient care through education, research, collaboration, and advocacy.
The CAAM-HP accreditation process involves an extensive review of the institution’s infrastructure, educational programs, faculty and administrative staff; clinical services offered; hospital facilities including bed capacity and availability; academic affiliations with local universities; research activities including joint projects with external partners across borders; institutional governance structure as well as student support services including scholarships/loans granted by government or private sector organizations.
The CAAM-HP standards cover all aspects of medical education from admission requirements to curriculum development in order for students to obtain real-life experience before entering practice after graduation from medical school.
For additional information about these accredited schools, see the list. The following are the valid CAAM-HP schools (as of October 2022):
American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua
The American University of Antigua College of Medicine is located on the island of Antigua, which is part of the West Indies.
The college has a student body of about 40 students. These students come from many countries around the world including Canada, China, South Africa, India, and others. Additionally, there are several American students enrolled at AUCMCM each year as well.
Avalon University School of Medicine, Curacao (CAAM-HP & ACCM-accredited)
Avalon University School of Medicine is located in Curacao, a former Dutch colony in the Caribbean. It is a private, non-profit university that offers a range of degrees including the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Pharmacy.
The university has been accredited by the CAAM-HP and its graduates are eligible to take the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam Step 1/2 CK or USMLE Step 2 CS respectively as well as other medical licensing exams around the world; however, they are not eligible for residency training at U.S.-based hospitals.
Instituto Technologico de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (ITSD) is accredited by CAAM-HP and offers MD, MD/Ph.D., and Ph.D. degrees.
Faculty members include U.S.-trained physicians, who teach students in English or Spanish. With its academic partnerships with U.S., Caribbean, and Latin American universities, ITSD has a diverse student population with more than 20 nationalities represented on campus.
Its programs are offered in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and public health; some of them are delivered entirely in English or Spanish depending on the degree level you choose to pursue here at this institution.
The University of West Indies School of Medicine
The University of West Indies School of Medicine is located in St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, which is a member country of the University of the West Indies. It was established as an autonomous public medical school affiliated with the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Trinity Medical Sciences University School of Medicine, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinity Medical Sciences University School of Medicine is located in Trinidad and Tobago. It’s a private medical school.7. The school has a partnership with the Ross University School of Medicine that allows students to complete some coursework at Trinity and then transfer to Ross for clinical training.
The school offers a five-year integrated MBBS program (incorporating pre-clinical studies) leading to an MBBS degree.
University of Guyana School of Medicine, Guyana
The University of Guyana School of Medicine is a private medical school located in Georgetown, Guyana. The University of Guyana School of Medicine offers a five-year program leading to a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). The university is affiliated with the University of Guyana and has affiliations with other universities around the world.
The school operates on a holistic approach to medicine, with an emphasis on prevention rather than treatment. This approach is reflected in its curriculum, which includes courses on community service and public health as well as traditional subjects like anatomy and physiology.
The school also offers specializations in radiology, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and internal medicine.
Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, The Bahamas
Western Atlantic University School of Medicine is an accredited medical school based in the Bahamas. The school has its campus is located in Nassau and New Providence. The university offers a 6-year MD program that leads to a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD).
During their studies, students will take classes that cover all areas of medicine, including clinical and diagnostic skills.
See also: Medical Schools in The Bahamas
# ACCM-Accredited Medical Schools
The following are medical schools in the Caribbean that have been accredited by ACCM:
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Saint Maarten
The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) is a private institution located on the island of St. Maarten, which is part of the country the Netherlands. AUC was originally founded as an online program and later became accredited by ACCM.
Today, AUC offers several degrees:
- Doctorate Degree Program in Medicine (DMD)
- Graduate Entry Program (GEP)
- Postgraduate Certificate Program (PGCP)
St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine, Cayman Islands
St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine is located in the Cayman Islands. The school was established as a private and non-profit institution, and it is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Colleges of Medicine.
St. Matthew’s offers programs at both the undergraduate level as well as graduate level degrees such as Master’s degree courses in public health and nursing administration.
St. Matthews University School of Medicine is recognized by The International Medical Education Directory (IMED), which lists all medical schools around the world that meet its rigorous standards for academic excellence, clinical training support, teaching methods, and faculty qualifications; among other factors considered when accrediting an institution within this field of practice.
Medical University of the Americas, St. Kitts and Nevis
The Medical University of the Americas, Nevis, is accredited by the ACCM. The school offers medical degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The location of this school will be a huge draw for many students, as it’s on a tiny island with a population of about 11,000 people. Located just off the coast of St. Kitts, Nevis is easily accessible via cruise ship or airplane; if you prefer to travel by car, a ferry service runs between the two islands every day.
University of Medicine & Health Sciences, St. Kitts and Nevis
The University of Medicine & Health Sciences is the only medical university in St. Kitts-Nevis to offer MD and DO degrees, as well as residency programs.
In addition to medical school, UMHS offers postgraduate training and a wide range of courses. The university also has a large number of research opportunities available to its students, including an extensive library with more than 85,000 documents available for research purposes.
Related: Medical Schools in Anguilla
Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba
The Xavier University School of Medicine is located in Aruba, which is a country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The school has an ACCM accreditation. In addition, XU has two campuses: one in Aruba and another in Curacao.
All Saints University School of Medicine, Commonwealth of Dominica
All Saints University School of Medicine is located in the Commonwealth of Dominica, which is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. The medical school is private, and it has been accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). The school offers a full-time Doctor of Medicine program as well as a part-time program.
All Saints University’s curriculum consists of courses that include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, pharmacology/pharmacokinetics/toxicology as well as behavioral sciences such as psychology or sociology classes.
Students also take classes like clinical medicine; pathology & microbiology; muscular-skeletal system; cardiovascular system; respiratory system; gastrointestinal system; endocrine glands & hormones among others at this Caribbean medical school before they graduate with their degree from ASU School of Medicine.
Saint James School of Medicine, Antigua and Barbuda
Saint James School of Medicine is a private medical school located in Saint James, Antigua and Barbuda. It is approved by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), which means graduates can apply for residency training programs through the MCC.
The school also has a 2+2 partnership with the University of Florida College of Medicine for Caribbean students who want to attend medical school in Florida after graduating from Saint James.
Scholarships are available based on merit or financial need; these scholarships may cover up to 50 percent off tuition costs depending on the applicant’s qualifications and financial situation (e.g., whether they’re U.S.-based).
More Schools Listed For You
As you can see, there are plenty of medical schools in the Caribbean to select from. This list is by no means comprehensive; if you’re interested in exploring other options, check out the resource section below for a list of more medical schools in the Caribbean.
This list includes schools that have pending candidacy or processing accreditation status.
- Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine
- St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine
- The Ross University School Of Medicine (RUSM)
- American University of Integrative Sciences
- Western Atlantic University School of Medicine
- American University of Barbados
- Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina
FAQs
The following are popular questions asked about medical schools in the Caribbean:
What is the difference between regional and offshore medical schools?
Regional medical schools are located in South or Central America. They are accredited by the country in which they are located, but not by a U.S. accrediting agency like LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education), which requires that students complete at least one year of clinical training outside their home country before applying for residency training in the United States.
Offshore schools are universities that offer both a Bachelor’s degree and Masters’s programs that lead to eligibility for registration to practice medicine in most Caribbean countries as well as Canada and other international destinations.
How do I apply to a medical school in the Caribbean?
This differs. Kindly check the website of the schools you wish to apply to, and find out how the application to that school is done.
Are Caribbean medical schools recognized in the U.S.?
Yes, Caribbean medical schools are recognized in the U.S.
Are medical schools in the Caribbean any good?
You can weigh the pros and cons, but ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if a school’s program is your best bet for becoming a doctor.
Pros:
- The cost of tuition for medical school in the Caribbean is much lower than in the US and Canada. This is especially true if you’re from an English-speaking country.
- You will have fewer distractions during your studies, which means you can focus on your studies more easily than if you were studying domestically.
- The weather is warm all year round, so it’s easy to study outside when it gets too hot inside.
Cons:
- Medical schools in the Caribbean don’t have as much funding for research as those located across borders do; this means that some doctors may find themselves lacking some of the tools they need to practice medicine properly once they finish school.
- Popular reviews reveal that medical schools in the Caribbean have a reputation for admitting students who are unprepared for the rigors of med school; as a result, the attrition rate is high.
Wrapping It Up
As you can see, there are plenty of medical schools in the Caribbean to choose from. You can decide on the best school for you by considering various factors such as accreditation, location, and quality of education.
We hope this article will be helpful in making your decision.