A Brief History of Sint Maarten by The World Factbook

Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished the island of Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The establishment of cotton, tobacco, and sugar plantations dramatically expanded slavery on the island in the 18th and 19th centuries; the practice was not abolished in the Dutch half until 1863. The island's economy declined until 1939 when it became a free port; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded beginning in the 1950s. In 1954, Sint Maarten and several other Dutch Caribbean possessions became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles. In a 2000 referendum, the citizens of Sint Maarten voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The change in status became effective in October of 2010 with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. Read More...

American University of the Caribbean Medical School

Since 1978, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine has excelled at providing medical education to students from the U.S. and around the world. Our extensive M.D. faculty of experts is dedicated to teaching medical and clinical sciences, as well as sought after surgical techniques.

AUC Medical School's academic program is modeled after U.S. medical school curricula. Medical students receive exceptional preparation for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2. Basic sciences are taught on St. Maarten and clinical rotations are offered at affiliated hospitals in he U.S., U.K., and Ireland. AUC medical students also participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

AUC School of Medicien is fully accredited per the regulations of the U.S. Department of Education and is approved for the U.S. Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Over 3,500 licensed medical graduates practice medicine throughout the United States. They have entered all aspects of mainstream medicine: private practice, universities, government agencies, and managed care facilities.

AUC Medical School Welcome Message

A solid foundation in basic medical sciences is essential for the development of strong clinical skills. At American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, 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 in St. Maarten are 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 University of the Caribbean has clinical sites in the United States, England, and Ireland. 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.

We welcome you as you begin your journey into medical education. You will find it stimulating and sometimes difficult, but always rewarding. As you progress, you will realize that learning should be a life long habit for a physician. Before you graduate, you will develop the tools that enable you to continue the learning process as well as gain the knowledge and skills to succeed as a physician. Our exceptional faculty members and administrative team are available to assist you and respond to any concerns quickly and efficiently.

AUC Medical School Curriculum

American University of the Caribbean’s medical school curriculum consists of 9.5 semesters: 5 semesters of Medical Sciences taught at the St. Maarten campus, and 4.5 semesters of Clinical Sciences taught at affiliated hospitals in the United States, England. Rolling admission begins January, May, and September with semester terms of 16 weeks in duration.

Note: AUC reserves the right to change the curriculum at any time, without prior notice, and to schedule classes or examinations on any day of the week.

BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

The first five semesters at AUC involve concentrated study of Medical Sciences. Anatomy, Histology and Molecular/Cell Biology are the focus during the first semester. The following semesters explore a logical sequence of science coursework including advanced courses in Molecular/Cell Biology, Physiology, Pathology and Behavioral Sciences. AUC’s enhanced curriculum introduces students to clinical medicine as early as the second semester with an increasing emphasis in the fifth semester. This allows students to experience the clinical application to the Medical Sciences well before they advance to the clinical aspect of the program.

After completing Medical Sciences, students are required to take the USMLE Step 1. Upon successfully passing the exam, students proceed to Clinical Sciences for their clinical rotations.

*Notes: Curriculum may change at any time without prior notice. There are prerequisites for each course.

CLINICAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

During semesters 6-9.5, students undertake clerkships focused on Clinical Sciences for 72 weeks. Clerkships consist of Core Rotation and Elective Rotations at clinical site hospitals. Sites in the United States offer residency programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or are affiliated with a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). After completing core clerkships (including core exams), students are eligible to take the USMLE Step 2 and must pass this exam to graduate. Passing Step 2 is also a condition for ECFMG certification, which is the process that international medical graduates must follow to participate in the National Resident Matching Program for postgraduate training. They participate in the same residency match programs as U.S. medical students.

Clinical Core Clerkships

Clinical core rotations, completed in 42 weeks, are full-time clerkships whereby students evaluate patients in a clinical setting. The clerkships provide an opportunity to utilize skills and information previously acquired in the Medical Sciences courses. As students examine/diagnose patients and analyze laboratory data, they are supervised by an attending physician. Each clinical supervisor serves as an active member of the student/house staff team and assesses an AUC student’s performance according to standards set forth by the University.

Internal Medicine, 12 Weeks

While students participate in general Internal Medicine, they gain exposure to the diagnostic and treatment processes. Students develop competence in evaluating broad clinical problems and patient management skills. “Hands-on" patient experience is supplemented by tutorials and didactic sessions.

Surgery, 12 Weeks

Students develop general physician skills as well as training unique to surgery. They further develop abilities in data synthesis and problem solving, and become oriented to the clinical setting related to surgery. Ideally, students follow the patient from admission through discharge. They are expected to participate in all aspects of patient care: assisting in the operating room, emergency room, and acute care units.

Pediatrics, 6 Weeks

Students receive a broad overview of general pediatrics. Experience will be gained with inpatient and ambulatory pediatric care. Pediatric intakes and ward rounds are the basis of inpatient care while ambulatory care experience is gained in general pediatric clinics evaluating patients with common complaints and disorders.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6 Weeks

Students are assigned to obstetrical and gynecological patients for evaluation and follow-up. Participation in normal deliveries is stressed. Students are expected to follow patients through completion of delivery or surgery. Ambulatory obstetrical and gynecological care is stressed and patient contact is supplemented with conferences and didactic teaching sessions.

Psychiatry, 6 Weeks

Students build upon classroom knowledge gained during the first and second years. The majority of the rotation features treatment of psychiatric patients in the inpatient setting. The resources available for care of psychiatric patients are presented. Skill in the evaluation and diagnosis of the psychiatric patients is developed through direct patient interviews and didactic sessions.

Clinical Elective Rotations

Elective Rotations provide clinical students with exposure to areas that they may consider specializing in at a later point in their medical careers. Students complete 30 weeks of electives, including 4 weeks of Neurology and 4 weeks of Family Practice, which are both required.

Tuition and Fees - Effective Fall 2011

Fees

Application Fee: $100 (non-refundable)

Enrollment Reservation Fee

A one-time enrollment reservation fee in the amount of $1,000 is payable to AUC by the date specified in the acceptance letter to secure a place in class. At registration, $1,000 of the enrollment reservation fee will be applied to the cost of tuition for students who matriculate to AUC.

AUC reserves the right to change its tuition and fees at any time, without prior notice. All tuition and fees are in U.S. dollars. Acceptable forms of payment include personal check, bank check or money order.

Housing Security Deposit

A security deposit of $1,650 is payable to reserve housing.

AUC Medical Campus

Originally founded in Montserrat, British West Indies, American University of the Caribbean relocated its medical science campus to St. Maarten, in the Netherlands Antilles, due to volcanic eruptions on Montserrat in 1995.

The first two academic years (5 semesters of Basic Medical Sciences) are taught on the island of St. Maarten at state-of-the art medical campus situated in the heart of an idyllic Caribbean setting. Completed in 1998, the multi-million dollar campus features architecturally designed facilities that promote teaching and learning, as well as encourage an overall living experience for students.

The medical campus includes a dramatic three-story atrium, courtyard, and beautiful landscaping. All buildings are air-conditioned while external structures are accommodated with breezeways and shaded areas. Comprehensive study is promoted to students by providing them with contemporary lecture halls enhanced with audio/visual technology, fully equipped biological science and anatomical dissection laboratories, clinical patient examination rooms, an extensive library with an up-to-date student computer center, and more. A convenient cafeteria is available as well as numerous common areas designed for student study and relaxation.

AUC has a faculty of M.D.'s and P.H.D.'s primarily trained in the United States and United Kingdom who teach at the medical campus.

In close proximity to the medical campus, are student living facilities comprised of apartments located within a 5-minute walk to/from the campus.

Leading the Way for Quality and In-Demand Education

• AUC Medical School was founded in 1978 and has since provided medical students with quality education and hands-on instruction


• Over 3,500 medical graduates have become licensed and practice medicine throughout the United States


• The standards used to accredit AUC School of Medicine have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as being comparable to the standards applicable to U.S. medical schools.


• Expert faculty consists of over 500 M.D.'s and PH.D.'s primarily trained in the U.S. and U.K.


• AUC is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, published by the World Health Medical Organization


• American University of the Caribbean is approved for the U.S. Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).


• AUC School of Medicine's attrition rate in 2004 for the basic science campus is 11% while the overall rate for the medical school is 7.5%.

Providing Superlative Medical Training and Skills Second to None

• Medical students may earn an M.D. in as little as 38 months if all course work is taken continuously


• AUC Medical School's state-of-the art medical campus features laboratories, examination rooms, library, technology-based study aids, computer labs, and more


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


• AUC Medical School's curriculum is comprised of 9 ½ semesters: (5) semesters of basic medical sciences taught on St. Maarten and (4.5) semesters of clinical medical sciences taught at affiliated hospitals in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland


• Medical students may participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and graduates are eligible for U.S. residency


• Medical students receive preparation for the United States Medical Lisencing Examination (USMLE) through the Basic Science curriculum, review courses, simulated USMLE exams, and taking all course examinations in USMLE format.


• Clinical clerkships available U.S.,U.K., and Ireland

Offering Students Exceptional Living Experiences While Learning

• AUC's medical campus is located in the reputable world-class tourist destination of St. Maarten, where English is commonly spoken and the standard of living is unsurpassed in the Caribbean


• Student housing includes new and fully furnished apartments with ocean views, kitchen facilities, and recreational amenities that are within a 5-minute walk to campus


• Student resources include a student government association, organizations, clubs, and services as well as a diverse student body and active student life

Futher Information

For detailed information, please contact us.