Requirements to complete the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree
Completion of the MD degree requires 174 total program hours, accomplished through the preclinical and clinical phases of the CIRCLE curriculum.
Curriculum
Undergraduate Medical Education
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree program’s CIRCLE curriculum is guided by educational best practices in standardizing learning outcomes while providing students with opportunities to individualize the learning process. There is an emphasis on active learning with formative checkpoints for students to self-assess their progress and develop habits of self-directed learning and inquiry. The curriculum integrates basic & clinical science knowledge with early clinical experiences to provide students with a better understand of disease process and management. Ample time is provided for electives, selectives and exploration of career choices essential to professional identity formation.
Preclinical
The foundational 20-month preclinical curriculum emphasizes acquisition of formal knowledge and clinical skills in a systematic and incremental manner that emphasizes thematic relationships over rote memorization.
The preclinical curriculum of the Long School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree program includes:
- Three Foundational Modules
- Eight Sequential Organ-System Modules
- Two Longitudinal Modules
Clinical Curriculum
Learn more about planning electives on our Elective Planning page. The Long School of Medicine accepts visiting students for fourth year elective rotations through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program. Students interested in participating in this program should first review the Visiting Student Information for specific guidance.
Successful completion of the clinical curriculum of the Long School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree program requires:
- 48 weeks of clerkships
- 20 weeks of electives
- 8 weeks of selectives (4 weeks inpatient / 4 weeks ambulatory)
- 4 weeks of didactics (3 required courses and 4 elective courses)
- Pass USMLE Exams (Step 1 and Step 2 CK)
The clinical phase of the curriculum includes core clerkships where students gain experience in a variety of settings. In fourth year, there is ample opportunity to explore career interests and gain additional experience and confidence in clinical skills needed to transition to residency.
Program Highlights
Dual Degree & Distinction Programs
Three dual degree programs are available to students. Students also have the opportunity to pursue a degree distinction during medical school.
Our basic bedside ultrasound curriculum will extend over all 4 academic years. The curriculum will focus on hands-on training using live and simulation models with associated supplementary didactics.
Standardized Patient Program provides students with opportunities to develop their clinical skills. Standardized patients are individuals carefully chosen to portray patients with specific medical conditions.
Keys to Success
- Culture of Excellence
We strive to maintain a culture of inclusion, high expectations and fairness. We embrace and celebrate distinctive perspectives and viewpoints that enrich all members of the Long School of Medicine and UT Health San Antonio. - Proven Integrated Curriculum
The CIRCLE Curriculum integrates clinical experiences from the first day of medical school with foundational science through all four years. We have a proven track record of student satisfaction and success on United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) and in the National Resident Match Program (NRMP). - Individualized Learning
Students have the ability to individualize clinical activities. Opportunities are available to participate in Student-Faculty collaborative clinics in the community. Various community service learning projects and elective courses are available both locally and internationally. - Dedicated Faculty
An integrated group of talented, passionate, experienced medical educators who are Researchers, Clinicians, and Leaders.
Altruism
Medical students must be compassionate and empathetic in caring for patients, and must be trustworthy and truthful in their professional dealings. They must act with integrity, honesty, and respect for patients’ privacy and dignity.
By the time of graduation, the Long School of Medicine M.D. student will be able to:
- List and define the basic principles guiding ethical decision making
- Apply ethical concepts to medical ethical dilemmas
- Demonstrate respect for human dignity
- Provide compassionate patient care
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity in educational and professional interactions
- Demonstrate appropriate patient advocacy
- Understand the factors that impact health
- Appropriately address conflicts of interest inherent to the field of medicine
Knowledge
Medical students must understand the scientific basis of medicine and be able to apply that understanding to the safe and effective practice of medicine. They must utilize self-assessment and self-knowledge to optimize their learning.
By the time of graduation, the Long School of Medicine M.D. student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of normal structure and function of the human body
- Demonstrate knowledge of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of disease and disorders
- Demonstrate knowledge of the clinical manifestations of common conditions and disorders
- Demonstrate knowledge of the pharmacotherapeutic modalities for common conditions and disorders
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity in educational and professional interactions
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of clinical and translational research
- Demonstrate knowledge of the epidemiology of common conditions and disorders
- Demonstrate knowledge of systems of healthcare delivery
Skills
Medical students must acquire wide-ranging skills that will enable them to care for patients as a professional.
By the time of graduation, the Long School of Medicine M.D. student will be able to:
- Obtain an accurate and complete medical history
- Perform all components of a complete physical examination
- Prepare for and perform basic clinical procedures
- Perform basic interpretation of commonly used diagnostic tests
- Recognize the typical physical exam manifestations of common medical conditions and disorders
- Demonstrate the skills of clinical reasoning and clinical problem solving for common conditions and disorders
- Create appropriate management strategies for common conditions and disorders
- Apply the principles of relieving total pain (physical, psychological, spiritual and social)
- Demonstrate effective and appropriate communication of medical information, both in writing and verbally
- Demonstrate the ability and commitment to continuously improved medical knowledge and skills