DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (MD PROGRAM)

The Doctor of Medicine (MD Program) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commision (HLC), Ministry of Education, Distance Education Training Council, UK. The outcome competencies of the program are benchmarked with internationally known competency frameworks. The Doctor of Medicine (MD Program): It is a six-year competency-based program with a total of 224 credit equivalence. Organized in three inter-related phases, each is two years with three critical points “Gates” at the end of each phase. The eligibility of students’ progression to the next phase will be checked at the gates

Each phase will have specific “Phase Learning Outcomes” which are milestones towards the Program Learning Outcomes:

  • Phase I: (year 1 & 2) Transition to Medical Sciences
  • Phase II: (year 3 & 4) Core Medical Sciences
  • Phase III: (year 5 & 6) Transition to Practice After the successful completion of Phase III (year 5 & 6) “Transition to Practice” requirements, they graduate with a MD degree.

 

The duration of the program is 6 years, and the curriculum is organized in an organ-system based sequence integrating biomedical sciences, clinical sciences, social/behavioral sciences and patient-care skills. The curriculum is designed to develop a culture of teamwork, scientific enquiry and lifelong learning in the students which are essential for the effective practice of Medicine.

The pedagogy used in the Medicine program includes diverse teaching/learning methods to cater to different learning styles of a culturally diverse group of students.  More small-group and active learning strategies like Student-led Seminars (SLS), Problem-based Learning (PBL), Team-based Learning (TBL), Virtual-patient Learning (VPL) etc. are used with less number of lectures. Early clinical exposure starting from the first year is the highlight of the Medicine program

The curriculum is delivered in a number of different healthcare settings including ambulatory and inpatient care, primary health care, emergency, and community settings providing wide experience. Training in the state-of-the-art simulation set-up in the preclinical years provides additional hands-on training during the pre-clinical years.

Graduates are awarded the Medicine degree on successful completion of the 6-year program and passing a comprehensive Exit Examination. The Medicine degree awarded by UNC is recognized by the Higher Learning Commision and all graduates are eligible to take the licensing exam in the country to be evaluated for independent practice.

 

VISION

The Vision of the Doctor of Medicine Program is to pursue excellence in medical education, research and patient care to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the nation and the region.

 

MISSION

The Mission of the Doctor of Medicine Program is to:

  • Attract the best students and provide a unique learning experience through quality medical education
  • Produce socially accountable competent physicians who will make a significant contribution to the health of the community through evidence-based healthcare
  • Prepare medical graduates to pursue postgraduate training in any specialty of their choice and integrate advances in research in the delivery of quality patient-care.
  • Attract best faculty who can contribute to the quality of medical education and research
  • PHASE I: “Transition to Medical Sciences” – Two years – Year 1 and 2
  • It is the interface between high school education and the medical program. It introduces the students to foundation in human structure and function, basics of Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Public Health, Physics relevant to Medical Sciences, Informatics, Humanities, Scientific Writing, and General Education courses. An important course in this phase is “Medical Education and Lifelong Learning”. In this course, students learn how they will learn and become life-long learners. Students will be familiarized with different “learning and teaching approaches” like PBL, TBL, literature search, reflection and developing e-portfolio.
  • Gate I End of Phase I: Based on the students’ academic performance, he/she may be allowed to move to the next phase of the MD program or take a decision to change major and join another health sciences program. Credit obtained can be transferred to the new program.

 

  • PHASE II: Core Medical Science: Two years – Years 3 and 4.

 

  • In this phase, we introduce the students to the core up-to-date knowledge for practice and its application to patients and population care. Clinical Skills are mainly acquired in Skills Labs with regular encounters with real patients. This phase is organized around integrated organ systems modules. Several courses will run horizontally and vertically in the different modules e.g., clinical skills program, research projects, evidence-based medicine (EBM), public health, etc.
  • Problem-Based Learning (PBL) using high-fidelity AI based simulated patients constitutes the primary strategy of learning and teaching. Lectures will be offered as resource sessions using TBL and flipped classrooms. Basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, population health, ethics and professionalism are integrated within the problems. The subjects studied include clinical and applied aspects of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics. In addition, the following courses: Clinical Skills, Community Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Research Methodology, Family Health, Evidence-based Medicine, and Behavioral Sciences are integrated and coordinated within the organ-system units. In the year 4, semester 8, students spend 6 weeks in an integrated multisystem course preparing them for patient care in the hospital setting.
  • Gate II End of Phase II: By the end of Year 4, the students should successfully complete the Phase II requirements in order to progress to Phase III and complete the six-year MD program. The students will take an international benchmark exam.

 

  • PHASE III: Transition to practice (Clerkships) “Workplace-Based Learning”: Two years – Year 5 and 6.
  • Students will rotate in different clerkships of longer duration in order to ensure better exposure to the work environment, patients, and interaction with other healthcare professionals. This is a more valuable experience than the short clerkship rotations of 1–2 weeks in sub-specialties.
  • In year 5, students undergo five clerkship rotations of 8 weeks each in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, and ENT/Eye. In year 6, they go through four rotations of 8 weeks each in Medicine and subspecialties, Surgery and subspecialties. Family Medicine and Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine and Critical care, and another 8 weeks of elective training/research. This can change according to the practicality of implementation (i.e. context).
  • Gate III End of Phase III: At the end of Phase III, students should successfully complete the Phase requirement and provide convincing evidence related to the Program Learning Outcomes and achievement of competence. The IFOM Clinical Sciences will be considered as an international benchmark. The student will graduate with MD degree which is followed by one year of Internship to apply for the license to practice exam. The graduates are awarded the Doctor of Medicine degree on successful completion of the 6-year program and passing the comprehensive exit examination.

 

DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (MD PROGRAM)

Course Level:

Postgraduate

Credits 

224

Course

CODE UNMD-382

How long it takes:

Postgraduate (6 years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus USA

Course cost

Price: US$35,000

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

University of Newcastle

Each phase will have specific “Phase Learning Outcomes” which are milestones towards the Program Learning Outcomes:

  • Phase I: (year 1 & 2) Transition to Medical Sciences
  • Phase II: (year 3 & 4) Core Medical Sciences
  • Phase III: (year 5 & 6) Transition to Practice After the successful completion of Phase III (year 5 & 6) “Transition to Practice” requirements, they graduate with a MD degree.
USA,UK & EU students, 2022/23 (per year)

USD 25,000

International students starting 2022/23(per year)

USD 35,000

 

Credit Equivalence: The credit equivalence of the Doctor of Medicine Program is 224 credits.

 

The educational objectives of the Doctor of Medicine program are expressed as competencies which the graduate should have acquired by the end of the program and is organized around the six ACGME competency domains of:

  1. Patient and Population Care
  2. Knowledge for Practice
  3. Evidence Based Practice and Lifelong Learning
  4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  5. Ethics and Professionalism
  6. Healthcare Systems and Cost Effective Practice

 

Graduation requirements

The student will be commended for the award of the Doctor of Medicine program upon:

  • Being continuously enrolled in the program from admission to graduation
  • Having satisfied all conditions of his or her admission
  • Successful completion of all General Education requirements

Admission Requirements for 6-year MD Program

  • The applicant must have completed a minimum of 12 years of school education.
  • All applicants must complete 18 years of age on or before the 31st of December in the year of admission for student visa purposes.
  • The applicant must have passed any one of the following English Language Proficiency Tests with a minimum score as follow:
    • 1400 in Emirates Standardized Language Test (EmSAT) (only for UAE resident applicants)
    • 550 in TOEFL (CBT 213 – iBT 79)
    • 6.0 in IELTS for Academic
    • or equivalent in any other standardized internationally recognized test approved by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), 

Valid English Proficiency Score is mandatory before admission.

  • All International students are required to pass the admission exam set by the University of Newcastle that includes Section 1 with the subjects: Mathematics and Biology mandatory, Chemistry or Physics and Section 2 with Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
  • Applicants from various educational systems must comply with the rules listed below:
  • Students should complete science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, in 10th and 11th or 12th Grades). Applicants who lack sufficient background in science subjects (Biology or Chemistry or Physics) may register for the non-credit remedial course offered by the University.
  • All applicants shall be evaluated for cognitive and non-cognitive traits demonstrating their aptitude for the chosen area of study by the Admissions Committee On successful completion of the admission exam, the applicant and parent meet the admissions committee.
  • The decision of the Admission Committee shall be final and binding.