General Information

• Forum: AGU Medical School Forum
• Location: Belize
• USA Clinical Rotations: Yes
• Basic Science Tuition: $5,900/semester
• Clinical Science Tuition: $7,600/semester
• Year Founded: 2005
• Time required for MD: 4 Years
• Student Loans: Private Loans
• Email: Email AGU

A Brief History of Belize by The World Factbook

Medical School Reviews

American Global University School of Medicine is one of the top medical schools in the Caribbean, established by American Global University Foundation and registered in Belize and on the island of Curacao, supported by the Government of Belize and the Government of Netherlands Antilles.

Our goal is to prepare students for the next level of medical training in ACGME accredited American teaching hospitals by implementing U.S. standart curriculum, used in best North American LCME/AAMC colleges of medicine stressing Higher Order Thinking Skills (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation) tested in USMLE Step I rather than s simple memorization of facts.

At American Global University, we intend to create an entirely new model of medical education, one that will enhance the university's ability to act as a transformational agent in health care. Our unique approach embraces cross-disciplinary teaching modalities, breakthrough technologies, and innovative ways to advance training in both basic science and clinical skills throughout the medical school curriculum. In addition, we wish to deepen students' understanding of academic medicine to better prepare tomorrow's doctors and make a far-reaching impact on their further career.

Mission Statement

"The founding and development of American Global University School of Medicine have been the result of collective sacrifice and solidarity involving remarkable individuals and the Caribbean people as a whole. What stands here today is a magnificent educational monument to the cooperative solidarity of civilized people from different lands."

The American Global University School of Medicine has been established to educate and inspire scholars and future leaders, who will advance the practice of medical science.

The mission of AGU is to educate medical students in accordance with the highest professional standards; to prepare clinicians to practice patient-centered medicine of the highest standard; and to identify and answer fundamental questions in the mechanisms, prevention and treatment of disease, in health care delivery and in the basic sciences.

The aim of the curriculum of the medical school is to produce leaders in medicine, who will take the foundation of a broad education in medicine, to improve health through patient care, research, and education.

METHODS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THIS MISSION

• Institute Problem-based Learning into the curriculum
• Inclusion of case studies into early curricular lectures
• Patient contact beginning in the first year, patient simulations, clinical skills practice, and exposure to physical diagnosis and patient interviewing during year I.
• Call upon regular U. S. faculty known to administration from almost 25 years in American academic medicine.
• Identifying human material resources for learning.
• Choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies.
• Evaluating learning outcomes.

As a measure of their competence, every graduate of the AGU will:

The Science and Practice of Medicine

• Apply scientific principles and a multidisciplinary body of scientific knowledge to the diagnosis, management, and prevention of clinical problems;
• Understand the variation in the expression of health and disease through critical evaluation of biomedical research;

Clinical Competence

• Obtain a sufficient level of medical knowledge to understand the basic facts, concepts, and principles essential to competent medical practice;
• Exhibit the highest level of effective and efficient performance in data gathering, organization, interpretation and clinical decision making in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of disease;

The Social Context of Medicine

• Understand and respond to factors that influence the social, behavioral, and economical factors in health, disease and medical care;

Communication

• Demonstrate effective and compassionate interpersonal communication skill toward patients and families necessary to form and sustain effective medical care;
• Present information and ideas in an organized and clear manner to educate or inform patients, families, colleagues and community;

Professionalism

• Display the personal attributes of compassion, honesty and integrity in relationship with patients, families, and the medical community;
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards of judgment and conduct as it applies to the health care milieu;
• Demonstrate a critical self-appraisal in his/her knowledge and practice of medicine, as well as received and give constructive appraisal to/from patients, families, colleagues and other healthcare professionals;

Lifelong Learning

• Understand the limits of personal knowledge and experience and will demonstrate the intellectual curiosity to actively pursue the acquisition of new knowledge and skills necessary to refine and improve his/her medical practice or to contribute to the scientific body of medical knowledge;.

School's History

With graduates across the globe and two campuses that include professors and students from over 85 different countries, American Global University School of Medicine has earned a worldwide reputation as an international center for medical education and a beacon of academic excellence. The school of medicine is upholding its reputation and dedication to developing outstanding doctors and working hard to improved health standards and healthcare delivery systems throughout the world. Its reputation for academic excellence and innovative approach to medical training continues to attract students from across the world and distinguished faculty from the most prestigious medical institutions.

Almost all of the founding faculty members have been educated either in the United States or Europe, and their broad range of experience has led to the creation of an innovative curriculum that combines the best of the American and British medical traditions. American Global University School of Medicine has built a strong faculty, recruited from numerous countries, shaped graduate and undergraduate programs aimed at attracting students from developing nations, worked closely with the government of Belize to ensure mutual cooperation, and has overseen the expansion of the Belize and Curacao campuses. The University is poised to continue the legacy, with the campus expansions and further growth of the undergraduate and research programs.

We are confident that because of modern teaching guidelines, the university has earned its reputation as a leading international center for medical education. The reputation for academic excellence and innovative approach to medical training continues to attract students from across the world and distinguished faculty from the most prestigious medical institutions.

Other firsts team members for the University include Dr. Maher Soudah, the first Dean of the school, whose great experience in research and outstanding personality assures the best Academic Quality, Training, USMLE Passing Rate and Residency Placement. Now, In addition to his academic duties, Dr. Soudah serves as an Executive Dean and is responsible for overall quality of education offered on our main campus.

Largely because of its commitment to basic teaching and faculty development, the University has attracted distinguished visiting professors from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Many of these scholars have joined American Global University School of Medicine on a permanent basis and work with the administration, to create new programs beyond medicine. As one would expect, the medical school’s growing reputation has attracted a new breed of international medical student. The students are committed to the life-long study and practice of medicine as well as the transformational power of medicine in improving existing healthcare delivery systems around the world.

Accreditations & Recognitions

American Global University School of Medicine is recognized by the Government of Belize, the Government of Netherlands Antilles and the Government of the Island of Curacao.

IMED listing

WHO listing

The accreditations make our students eligible to take United States Medical Licensing Examination, allow the graduates of AGU to participate in the medical residency training programs and to apply for residency in the United States.

Recognition of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) provides certification and eligibility for medical licensure in Canada.

Government of Belize

Belize has two levels of government: a state government and a single-tier local government. Over the last five years, local councils have been formally established and the trend has been towards greater decentralization and autonomy. Direct election of mayors was introduced in 2000.

Belize has a system of local government comprising two city councils, seven town councils and a network of 192 village and community councils. Belmopan, now the capital of Belize, has its own city council.

Government of Netherlands Antilles

The Government of Netherlands Antilles serves as a central government of five islands: Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, Saint Eustatius, Saint Maarten. The Government provided extensive support to AGU at the time of its foundation.

American Global University is recognized by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. A graduate of American Global University must meet all standard medical licensure criteria and requirements in order to be eligible to practice medicine in the Netherlands Antilles, United States and Canada.

Government of Curacao

The Government of Curacao by granting a permit to American Global University School of Medicine allows our faculty to teach the art and science of medicine, and our medical school to operate an educational institution on the island of Curacao.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the voice of private enterprise and foundations in Curacao.

We represent the general interests of the business community, keep a complete roster of Curacao businesses, and provide services to local and international companies and individuals with an interest in doing business in, from or through Curacao.

The Chamber site is part of the Curacao Business Information site, the most comprehensive site regarding business in Curacao. This section features detailed information on the legal status and commercial activities of local companies and foundations.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international medical education. The WHO Department of Human Resources for Health (HRH) is now upgrading the World Directory of Medical Schools, formerly available via WHO's website.

The new Directory will be a web-based database with comprehensive information on health training institutions worldwide, including schools of medicine.

WHO being notified by the Government of Netherlands Antilles about the AGU establishment, will include our school in the next edition of the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)

International Medical Education Directory (IMED) is a division of the United States of America’s Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). An international medical school is now required to be recognized by IMED in order for their student and graduates to apply and sit for the United States Medical License Examination (USMLE).

Medical residency training is required of all medical doctors in order to be eligible to apply for medical licensure to practice medicine in the United States. An the ECFMG Certification is required of all international medical graduates to be able to start medical residency training in the United States.

For more information on the USMLE and international medical graduate policies – we encourage you to visit the official website of ECFMG, or request for more information by contacting the ECFMG office at www.ecfmg.org.

United States Medical License Examination (USMLE)

The United States Medical Licensing Examination is a multi-part professional exam sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Medical doctors are required to pass before being permitted to practice medicine in the United States of America. It consists of three steps; all three must be passed before an allopathic medical school (M.D.) graduate is eligible to apply for a license to practice medicine in the United States. American Global University School of Medicine has successfully addressed all requirements of ECFMG and therefore obtained permission for its students to sit for the United States Medical Licensing Examination tests.

Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a national not-for-profit organization representing the 70 medical boards of the United States and its territories. For more information on the practice of medicine in the United States – we encourage you to visit the official website of Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), or request for more information by contacting the FSMB.

Medical Council of Canada (MCC)

In order to apply for Licensure of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC), a graduate must pass both Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Parts (MCCQE Parts I and II). As a pre-requisite to take MCCQE Part I exam, an International medical graduate must pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE).

Graduates of AGU are eligible to sit for MCCQE Parts I and II, and to apply for the LMCC.

World Association of Universities and Colleges (WAUC)

The World Association of Universities and Colleges, WAUC, is an institutional accrediting body located in Los Angeles, CA. WAUC is recognized by the Association Internationale Des Educateurs Pour La Paix Mondiale, which is affiliated with UNESCO and UNICEF. Also, all of the WAUC schools are recognized by various governments and agencies around the world.

Academics Overview

A solid foundation in Basic Medical Sciences is essential for the development of strong clinical skills. At American Global University, a carefully designed Basic Science curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully progress through the clinical phase of medical education.

The basic science faculty at our campuses is an exceptional group of professors and scholars who are dedicated to teaching and who spend a great deal of time with the students. The final phase of the Basic Science education involves preparation for the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.

The opportunities for clinical education are many and varied. American Global University has clinical sites in the United States and Canada. All sites offer the same basic clinical education even though there may be local differences due to the venue. Once core rotations in Medicine, Family Practice, Ob/Gyn, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Surgery are complete, students have the opportunity to take elective rotations in a wide array of clinical disciplines.

PROGRAMS

American Global University, based on its accreditation of the main campus on Curacao and Belize, is permitted to offer the following two academic programs:

• 4-semester Premedical Program (Premed);
• 10-semester Medical Program (MD);

Rolling admission begins January, May, and September with semesters of approximately 16 weeks each.

Our curriculum has been designed to prepare students to be knowledgeable, skillful, compassionate and dutiful physicians in the twenty-first century.

Premed Curriculum is comprised of 4 semesters taught on Curacao and Belize and upon its completion students automatically enter into MD program.

MD Curriculum is comprised of 10 semesters: 4 semesters of Basic Medical Sciences taught on Curacao and Belize and 6 semesters of Clinical Medical Sciences taught at affiliated hospitals and approved training centers in the U.S.

AGU graduates participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and are eligible for U.S. residency.

Premedical Program	Medical Program
The Premedical Program is designed for high school graduates or those with less than 90 college credit hours. It provides students with the firm foundation needed to be accepted into MD Program. learn more.	The MD Program requires a Baccalaureate degree or at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate education from an accredited institution. It leads to the degree of Medical Doctor (M.D.) learn more.

Students from other medical schools generally admitted into one of the Premed or MD semesters, depending upon their academic qualifications. Evaluation of prior educational background will determine eligibility and appropriate placement within the Premed/MD program. Applications for transfer/advanced standing are evaluated on a case by case basis by the Director of Admissions.

PREMEDICAL PROGRAM (PREMED)

The Premedical Program is designed to provide students with the strong foundation needed to handle the rigorous course of study they will experience in the MD Program. Premed consists of 4 semesters (16 weeks each) and has been designed for high school graduates or college students with less than 90 credit hours, who seek admission to a medical school and don't meet the MD Program requirements.

This four-semester program can be entered at each year depending upon academic qualifications. It offers undergraduate sciences and laboratories, as well as post high school level of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ethics and Psychology. Those courses contribute to the overall goals of a pre-professional education and much of the final semester of the premedical program is taught by the medical school faculty members.

Promotion into the Medical Sciences Program

Students must achieve a ‘B’ average to maintain satisfactory academic progress. To be eligible for promotion into the medical sciences, a student must successfully complete the Fourth Premedical Semester with at least 2.5 GPA and pass the Premedical Science Post Examination (PSPE).

Medical Program (MD)

The majority of students enter with a baccalaureate degree, required premedical sciences, and/or optional scores from the Medical College Admission Test, directly into the MD Program. These students generally complete the requirements for the MD degree after 10 semesters of successful academic progress. Students receive preparation for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) through the Basic Science curriculum, review courses, simulated USMLE exams, and taking all course examinations in USMLE format.

American Global University's curriculum is comprises of 10 semesters: 4 semesters of Basic Medical Sciences taught at the Curacao campus and 6 semesters of Clinical Medical Sciences taught at affiliated hospitals and clinical centers in the United States.

Basic Medical Sciences

During semesters 1-4, students concentrate on studying Basic Medical Sciences for 16 months. AGU administers both subject and comprehensive review exams intended to provide students with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the medical board examinations.

While they are not counted toward a student's academic grade, they are used to assess his or her readiness to be certified to take the medical board examinations.

The Basic Science semesters follow the new paradigm in medical education. All of the traditional didactic classroom and lab work is conducted in modern facilities, and clinical experiences begin in the first semester at three hospitals located on Curacao

Clinical Medical Sciences

USMLE Review Program is a program that is devoted primarily to USMLE exam and the Clinical Sciences. The program acts as a bridge between the Basic Science curriculum and the Clinical Science curriculum.

The course "Biological Basis of Clinical Medicine" encompasses a fifteen-week board examination review course.

After completing the program, students are required to take the USMLE Step 1. Upon successfully passing the exam, students proceed to clinical medical sciences in which clinical rotations are focused.

Students receive preparation for the USMLE via the Basic Science curriculum, Kaplan review courses, which last 16 weeks, an electronic final exam of seven hours simulating the actual USMLE, and course examinations that have been written in USMLE format.

During semesters 6-10, students experience clerkships focused on clinical medical sciences for 80 weeks. Clerkships consist of Clinical Core Rotations and Clinical Elective Rotations at approximately 30 clinical sites. Sites in the U.S. offer residency programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or are affiliated with a medical school.

After completing core clerkship rotations students are eligible to take the USMLE Step 2. Upon successfully passing the exam, students proceed to a residency program. Most students take Step 2 before graduation in order to be ECFMG certified and then apply for a residency.

NOTE: AGU reserves the right to change the curriculum at any time to further improve the standards of medical education, without prior notice. AGU may schedule classes or examinations on any day of the week.

Affiliated Hospitals

American Global University has a standing relationship with many excellent hospitals and clinical centers.

A clinical center is defined as a hospital, or group of hospitals, able to provide at least four of five core rotations and train 5 to 40 students at all times. Clinical centers provide sub-internships, primary care rotations and electives.

With AGU clinical directors, clerkship directors and faculty at each location, our students, like many US medical students, can receive their clinical education in their own “university” clinical program.

During the residency, our students are covered by the AGU Malpractice Liability Insurance. Clinical Clerkship weeks constitute third and fourth year medical education to complete a Doctor of Medicine degree.

Although the majority of all AGU students complete their clinical rotations in the United States, rotations outside the United States are also available. Students may participate in rotations in Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, India and Netherlands Antilles.

Currently, the states where our students are eligible to schedule Clinical Clerkship are listed below. Listings are adjusted frequently as the Clinical Department works to acquire new rotation slots.

We are currently in negotiations with hospitals in the states of New York, Alabama and Arizona. All core rotations must be done in ACGME approved hospitals. Student may set up their own rotations, with a prior consent of the Dean of Clinical Sciences.

By the end of next year, AGU will be ready to apply for the NY State Board approval, which will enable our students to participate in Clinical Clerkship in the state of New York.

Academic Calendar

The University, its offices and departments operate on an official AGU's Academic Calendars for the indicated years. In addition, Human Resources maintains a Holiday Schedule for faculty members and other employees. Official academic calendars proposed by the Dean of Basic Science and the Dean of Premedical Science and then approved by the Chief Academic Officer according to the guidelines established by The American Global University General Administration. The academic year begins with each spring semester.

Residency Program

American Global University graduates are fully eligible to participate in residency training and licensure in the United States. We believes that one of the factors for an outstanding success on the way to become a doctor is the strength of our Clinical Rotation Program, which is closely supervised and takes place in United States teaching hospitals and clinical centers.

Graduation

To be eligible for graduation all students must: successfully complete all required coursework; pass USMLE Step 1 in three or fewer attempts; pass USMLE Step 2 in three or fewer attempts; meet all financial obligations of the medical college; and have all required administrative documentation on file.

The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is an agency that validates the education of all foreign medical graduates and issues certification. The ECFMG certificate is required to enter residency and to obtain licensure. To obtain this certificate a student must have a valid medical school diploma and have passed USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 (CS and CK).
More information can be obtained by visiting the ECFMG website.

USMLE

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) has four parts, leading to licensure. The USMLE Step 1 is taken immediately after the completion of the Basic Sciences or within the first nine weeks of Clinical Science; that is, at the end of Semester 6. Core Rotations are available only to students who have passed the First Step of the USMLE. A student who has successfully completed a minimum of 48 weeks of clinical training including Internal Medicine and who has passed USMLE Step 1 is eligible to be certified to take the USMLE Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) . International medical graduates (IMGs) who are certified by ECFMG or pursuing ECFMG Certification should be familiar with these regulations.
Detailed information is available on the USMLE website.

Please Note: Students have to pass Step 2 CK & CS in a maximum of three attempts, and within two calendar years of becoming eligible, in order to receive the Doctor of Medicine degree from American Global University. USMLE Step 3, the final step for licensure, is taken after graduation or during (or at the conclusion) of residency training.

MATCH PROGRAM

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a universal placement service, which significantly optimizes the chances of getting a residency position. Applications have to be submitted between July and October for the following July session therefore the application deadline is October. Applications can be obtained from NRMP's website.

In order to be eligible to participate in the NRMP, students must have passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK and CS, by December of the year prior to which they wish to enter residency training. Additionally, they must be scheduled to graduate medical school on or before May 31. Upon registering with the NRMP, students should submit and application to each residency program, which they are interested in, and undergo an interview.
In February, students are required to submit a "rank order list" to the NRMP. It's a preference list of the programs in the order of most desirable to the least. Simultaneously, all the residency programs submit their rank order lists of the candidates they have interviewed.

A computerized system begins the matching process, which results are released in March. A student, who has matched at a specific program is obligated to start the residency. A student, who has failed to match or is not eligible to enter the NRMP, will be still able to apply to residency programs by obtaining a position "outside the match". Simultaneously with the NRMP results released in March, a publication listing all unfilled residency positions is sent to all those who had participated in the NRMP, but failed to match.

TRANSCRIPTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

All residency programs as part of the application process require:

• all attended medical schools transcript(s),
• a Dean's Letter from a current school
• three letters of recommendation

Most programs require the transcript and Dean's Letter to be official (sent directly from the school) and the letters of recommendation to be confidential (sent directly from the recommending persons). For some programs, however, it may be possible to send unofficial copies of the transcript and letters directly with the application, and then have official/confidential originals sent only if the student is invited for an interview. Students should verify this issue with each program, before sending the application.

A Dean's Letter is a document issued by the Dean of Clinical Science that contains information about a student’s academic performance and excerpts from letters of recommendation in the student’s file.

Please Note: Students are required to submit a Dean's Letter Request Form (downloadable from our website) to the Clinical Department for their Dean’s Letter. The Department will require a resume and a personal statement to be sent along with each request.

OBTAINING A RESIDENCY POSITION

Residency programs begin July 1st of each year. In order to be eligible, students are required to present the following documents by May 31st:

• passing scores on USMLE Step 1
• passing scores on USMLE Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS
• AGU's graduate diploma
• an ECFMG Certificate

The application process is complex, and deadlines are critical. Most residency programs accept applications from July to December for entry the following July. Therefore, students should apply to all the programs, they have an interest in, and obtain applications as early as possible. Interviews are generally conducted from September to January; if invited, students should definitely attend.

The best way to become familiar with programs and their addresses is to obtain a copy of the American Medical Association (AMA) Graduate Medical Education Directory (also called the "green book") from any medical library or bookstore. This book lists the programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). It can also be purchased directly from the our bookstore.

Medical School Admissions

Admissions to a medical school in the Caribbean vary depending on the school. Our Admissions Department provides information about medical school application process.

This website will guide you step by step through the admission process including the eligibility and requirements, necessary submittals and application procedures. Please feel free to contact the Department by either mail, email, phone or live support if you have any questions or concerns regarding the enrollment to our medical school.

As a prospective medical student, you are looking for an institution that will provide its resources and support towards reaching your goal of a Doctor of Medicine Diploma. This is what you will find at American Global University, a medical school dedicated to prepare students to pass USMLE exams and to become eligible to practice medicine.

The application process for medical school may be long and intense. It really begins much earlier than when you actually fill out an application form and send it to the school. It includes completion of many pre-med requirements, meetings with your pre-med advisor and pre-med committee, taking the MCAT and doing well in all of your pre-med course work and extra-curricular activities.

Our Admissions Department will review applications as they are submitted on a rolling basis and extend interview invitations and finally offer spots in their classes in the same way. This means that they fill their classes on a first-come-first-serve basis. With each passing week of conducting interviews, as the admissions committee meets and extends offers, fewer and fewer spots are available. At the same time, the medical school still receives more applications, so the competition goes up and the number of available spots goes down. This means that an early application is one sure way of having the best possible chances of getting accepted.

Thank you for considering AGU on your way to become a Doctor of Medicine.

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