University of Arkansas College of Medicine

Introduction

In 1879 the Arkansas Industrial University established a medical department. This component became part of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1975. The latter incorporates 5 colleges, training physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health-related professionals, and graduate students.

Academics

4-year semitraditional. First year: (36 weeks) Introductory basic sciences as well as opportunity for patient contact by means of the introduction to the medical profession course. Second year: (32 weeks) Consists of the advanced basic sciences and courses in behavioral science, physical diagnosis, and mechanism of disease. Third year: (48 weeks) Consists of clerkship rotations through the major clinical specialties. Fourth year: (from 36 to 48 weeks) Open to more than 200 electives selected with advice of a faculty advisor. Research may be carried out as part of elective. Off-campus study locally or elsewhere in U.S. or abroad may be selected.

Unique Programs

Minority admissions: The college’s Office of Minority StudentAffairs conducts programs designed to identify and assist prospective admission candidates among minority and disadvantaged students in the state. Other degree programs: Dual MD-PhD and MD-MS programs available, offered in conjunction with the Graduate School of the university. Medical Student Research Program enables students to work in selected areas of research. Work done under this program may be applied toward a PhD degree.

Admissions

Prerequisites include the minimum premedical science courses plus 3 semesters of English and 2 semesters of mathematics. Recommended courses include genetics, embryology, genetics, quantitative analysis, statistics, cell biology, psychology, anthropology, logic, history, and literature. Nonresidents should have a GPA above 3.5 and an MCAT score of 9 or higher in each subtest. Graduate students applying need an advisor’s letter assuring graduation by August. Transfer and advanced standing: For the third year only, with very limited places available. Applicants are considered on a caseby-case basis and must demonstrate strong ties to the state of Arkansas.

Students

A letter grading system is used in basic sciences and required clinical rotations; a Pass/Fail system is used in electives. Subjective assessments are used by a Promotions Committee in determining a student’s eligibility for promotion. A passing grade must be recorded on Step 1 of the USMLE for promotion to the third year. Teaching: Medical Center includes a 9-story Educational Building that provides basic science facilities. University Hospital (400 beds) is the principal site for clinical training. This facility is augmented by the Ambulatory Care Center and the Arkansas Cancer Research Center. The school is affiliated with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and VA Hospitals in Little Rock and North Little Rock. It cooperates with other Little Rock hospitals in its training programs. Other: T. H. Barton Institute of Medical Research, Arkansas State Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Arkansas Rehabilitation Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Jones Eye Institute, and the CentralArkansas RadiationTherapy Institute. Housing: All single freshman and sophomore students are required to live in the residence hall unless special exemption is received. Approximately 35 one-bedroom furnished apartments are available for married students.

This website and its associated pages are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by this school.
StateUniversity.com has no official or unofficial affiliation with University of Arkansas College of Medicine.