Maine?

[medtir55]

hi there everyone,

i was jsut wondering if someone could explain to me the maine program. is this something that any student can do, that every student has to do? etc. sorry but im kind of clueless.

thanks for the info.

[SMU_Information]

There are two study tracks at SMU.

1) The MD program- You spend your five semesters of Basic Science on Grand Cayman, then move on to your clinical rotations.

2) The MD/MSHSA program- Concurrently with the your MD studies, you take classes for a Master's of Science in Health Services Administration from St. Joseph's College. SJC faculty teach dual program student in Cayman for semesters 1-3. Students then move to St. Jospeh's College in Maine in semesters 4&5, and take Basic Science classes at a smaller SMU campus nearby. You then move on to your clinical rotations, finishing your last Master's classes via distance education (with one two-week intensive summer session required).

All accepted SMU students are automatically eligible for the MD/MSHSA program if they choose.

There are a few posters here are currently in the program, and they can provide firsthand knowledge.

Thanks for your interest in SMU!

[dt]

If one started in the MD/MSHSA program, can one transfer to the MD program, say, after the 5th semester?

[SMU_Information]

I'm sorry, dt, did you mean that the other way around?

You could drop the MSHSA classes after the 5th semester, but then you'd be further in debt with nothing to show for it.

Students can start the MSHSA program at any time, it just increases the amount of classes they do via distance learning.

Did that answer your question? If not, let me know.

(720 to go, dt)

[dt]

Yes, that answered my question. Now I have another one.

Is the tuition the same for the MD/MSHSA program and the MD program?
If not, can you tell me the price difference?


(ps. the joy of reaching the goal only lasted a few minutes)

[SMU_Information]

The St. Matthew's tuition is the same, as the MSHSA is 100% administered and conferred by St. Joseph's. You go through registration and financial aid with SJC seperately, just not admissions.

The tuition is $930 per class, or $1860 per semester. Students are eligible for Stafford loans for SJC tuition and their living expenses in Basic Sciences. Once students enter the online education portion, Stafford eligibility drops to just SJC tuition.

I'm having one of the guys scan in the nifty new SJC brochure. I'll take the size down and post it here as well.

(Well, what's life without new goals?)

[AmericanIMG]

how it works with the MD/MHSA is that you cant start if you are past your 3rd semester. you can being 1st, 2nd or 3rd and still go to maine after your third i believe, but you should email Donna Walters for more information - dwalters@sjcme.edu if you have more questions.

[SMU_Information]

That's news to me. I know that we let 4th & 5th semester transfers start the dual program. Maybe that's the difference.

[jgilbert63]

Here's the straight skinny.....If you start at SMU, you must register for the MHSA program no later than semester three at the Caymans. You have to have two MHSA classes completed prior to going to ME for semesters four and five.

If you transfer to SMU, you can start the program in ME.

See the attached letters from Ms. Donna Walters.

NOTE: These letters are a few months old and policies are always subject to change. Check with SJU for the most current information.

Hope this helps!

---------------------------

Dear Prospective Student,

Thank you for your inquiry into the St Matthew/St Joseph College concurrent degree program.

The concurrent degree program began in the spring of 1998. It was the plan that students would graduate from Medical School with an advantage by not only having a Medical Degree, but also a Masters in Health Service Administration. With this combination you should have a step up on other recent graduates, when applying for Residencies and Positions in the Medical field and will better prepare you to run your own medical office.
The MHSA program has a total of 42 credits or 14 3-credit courses.

The program was designed to complete both programs at the same time. To accomplish this you would begin your 1st semester of medical school and ST. Joseph’s college MHSA program at the same time. You should complete 2 SJC on site courses each semester along with your pre-clinical science courses at St Matthews. At the end of the fifth semester in medical school you would have 5 remaining MHSA courses that would be completed as on line courses or by attending our two-week summer sessions either in June or July.

Two other advantages have surfaced due to your enrollment in the Concurrent Degree Program.
1. You are eligible to apply for the Stafford Loan.
2. You are eligible to complete your fourth and fifth semester of medical school in the State of Maine. Due to State regulations only students enrolled in ST Joseph’s MHSA program are eligible to study in Maine.

As you get involved in the concurrent degree program you will find out that students are allowed to do different thing that may or may not apply to you.
1. All students are required to take two classes each semester. Any exception to this policy must be requested in writing to the Director of the MHSA Program Dr Alice Rose. Only humanitarian reasons will be approved, all others will be denied.
2. Some students join the concurrent degree program later in the program. All students must be in the MHSA program by the 3rd semester and must complete 2 courses before they can come to Maine. Keep in mind that although doing MHSA courses and medical courses at the same time seems like a heavy workload. SJC on site courses are easier for most people than doing on line courses.
3. If you start using the Stafford Loan and then stop for a semester you are using up part of the 6 months grace period that you are allowed during the MHSA program before you are required to begin repayment on your loans.

I am sure this all seems like a tremendous undertaking to you at this time but keep in mind that many students have done this before you. We now have about 17 graduates from MHSA portion of the program and many more who are within 3 classes of graduating. Most of these students began the program in the first semester and moved through the concurrent program as it was designed.
Again I thank you for your interest in the Concurrent Degree Program and look forward to working with you as your advisor at St. Joseph’s College during the next four years.


Donna Walters
International Program Coordinator
800/752-5668 / 207/893-7829
dwalters@sjcme.edu


-------------------------------------

Dear Transfer Student,

I have attached the overview of the concurrent degree program for your information. As you read through it you will become aware that in many cases you do not fit the requirements to start our program.
We have made an exception to those students transferring into St Matthews during their fourth and fifth semester and will offer the two introductory classes here in Maine, which allows you as a 4th or 5th semester student to come directly to Maine. THIS IS AN EXCEPTION AND WILL NOT BE OFFERED AS AN ON GOING OPTION. We reserve the right to discontinue this offer at any time. All other rules and regulations will apply to you.

Keep in mind that St Joseph’s College and St Matthews are run totally separate from each other. I cannot give you permission to miss classes for St Matthew’s and they in turn cannot give you permission to miss ours. Please refer to the attendance rules for St Joseph’s College that I have also attached.

We are requiring you to be on campus for the Orientation. You will be notified of the exact time and date. Classes for St Joseph’s will begin the first week of each semester. You will learn a lot during orientation, you will be given instruction on obtaining your ID cards. Picture ID’s are required to use the gym, library, buy food plans or just about anything you will want to do on our campus. You will receive parking stickers, storm information, health services information, food plans and cafeteria information. You will also learn the rules for using the gym, workout room and pool.

Financial Aid

We offer the Stafford loan. This cannot be transferred from any other college. You must apply through St Joseph’s College. Before you can receive any funds you must. Change the school code on your FAFSA or apply for FAFSA if you have never done so. Fill out and return the packet of financial aid paper work that I can furnish you upon request. Furnish us with signed copies of your Federal Income taxes and W-2 forms for the previous year when applicable.

You must furnish us with official transcript from the college or university that issued your Bachelor’s degree or multiple colleges if you need to show the completion of 90 credits in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
If you have additional questions feel free to contact me at dwalters@sjcme.edu or phone 800/752-5668 (in the USA) or 207/893-7829 from out of the country.

Thank You for your interest in St Joseph’s College

Donna

[kildare]

There were no 4th or 5th semester transfers in Maine this semester. The policy was changed at least for this semester. There were however a couple of people who started in Cayman in 4th semester who movedup to Maine for their 5th semester.

[AmericanIMG]

i think that there is one that is a 4th that transferred here from St Christopher's...but she might be a 3/4. contact Donna for more info - dwalters@sjcme.edu


good luck!!!
:wink:

[want2banMD]

If the admission/application process is combined for the dual degree program, why is there an additional application and application fee for St. Joseph's?

[AmericanIMG]

there is a 2nd application because it is a different school, the application for SJC is their paperwork, not St Matts. as a St Matts student you will have automatic acceptance, but you still have to meet the prereqs (90units completed or bachelors, etc). plus you need the paperwork so that you can get the FAFSA money.

good luck!!!
:wink:

[microphage]

(ps. the joy of reaching the goal only lasted a few minutes)

I agree, I stopped posting after I reached that goal.... THere was no other goals to reach and we'll never catch Steph so no reason to even try. Now it's just a way for me to procrastinate so at least I've got a purpose. :lol:

700 to go there SMU info, keep it up :)

[SMU_Information]

It helps when you even post from vacation...it's a sickness... :oops:

[Jake101]

hello,
i was wondering if the masters program is possible while doing well in basic science course work. If anybody in the program can respond and give me their personal experience, i would appreciate it.

Also, does one get their masters degree after 5th semester?

thanks,