Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Saint Lucia (DESTINY)

Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Saint Lucia (DESTINY) was established in 2001 as The College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Saint Lucia, with the goal of combining traditional education and modern technology to train physicians worldwide.

The College campus is located in Saint Lucia, West Indies where qualified students may enroll in the following preclinical tracks:

The campus-based Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Program is a traditional full-time on-campus program,followed by clinical training on site at hospitals in the United States, United Kingdom and elswhere.

The Independent Study Program M.D. program, designed primarily for healthcare professionals, requires 30% of pre-clinical training on campus. Clinical training is done in teaching hospitals in the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

Students may also choose the Clinical Anatomy Masters Program (M.S.) to test their academic potential while accruing credits that may transfer to the M.D. Program, or to expand their foundation & understanding in clinically related Anatomical Sciences.

Our Mission

Destiny is dedicated to promoting health care worldwide by providing an excellent training opportunity for prospective medical practitioners.

Destiny provides instruction levels that will ensure that graduates at the degree level are well equipped to pursue clinical studies at approved institutions in the USA and elsewhere.

We provide a cost-effective opportunity for students worldwide at our Saint Lucia campus, focusing on traditional medical careers for students in emerging countries and rural regions.

Destiny provides scholarship programs for local students. We support the Saint Lucia mission to advance the training of nurses, and we are a technical resource for the Saint Lucia Government, Healthcare, Education and Business sectors.

Welcome Message from Thomas Connors, Ph.D

I would like to welcome you as you embark on your medical education. You can expect this journey to be a challenging, rewarding and sometimes difficult endeavor.

The basic sciences curriculum at Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is designed to provide you with the requisite academic skills to prepare you with a solid foundation for your clinical education.

The pre-clinical faculty is composed of experienced teachers who are dedicated to helping develop life long academic skills that will help you succeed as a physician. The small class sizes allow a close collegial relationship to develop between students and faculty. The capstone course of the pre-clinical curriculum involves a review of all pre-clinical courses in preparation for the first step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination. This preparation will be beneficial no matter where you decide to practice medicine.

Your clinical training is carried out in teaching hospitals in the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The basic clinical education in the core rotations of Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychology and Surgery is the same no matter the location. After the core rotations have been completed there are ample opportunities for elective rotations in a wide array of clinical disciplines. I would like to wish the very best as you begin your medical education.

Thomas J. Connors, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer

Accreditation and Licensing

Accreditation
Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Saint Lucia, is provisionally accredited by the Government of Saint Lucia, to award the Doctorate of Medicine (M. D.) Degree and the Masters Degree in Clinical Anatomy.

Destiny is currently undergoing accreditation through the Government of Saint Lucia and should be completed within the current year.

Licensure:
Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Saint Lucia, is licensed by the Government of Saint Lucia to award a Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.), as well as a Masters Degree in Clinical Anatomy.

Graduates planning to practice in the United States are advised to contact the U.S. General Accounting Office to access pertinent information. Two such documents include HRD-85-112 ("Federal, State and Private Activities Pertaining to U.S. Graduates of Foreign Medical Schools"), and HRD-81-32 ("Policies on U.S. Citizens Studying Medicine Abroad Need Review and Reappraisal").

Standardized Examinations in the United States
Graduates of Destiny, are eligible to take all examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), including Parts 1 and 2 of the USMLE, the Clinical Skills Assessment exam, and the English proficiency test. For more information, contact ECFMG at (215) 386.5900, or http://www.ecfmg.org.

Residency Training in the United States
Graduates of International Medical Schools may do Residency training in the United States, provided they have graduated from a school which is certified by ECFMG, and have successfully completed all USMLE exams.

Destiny graduates may participate in ERAS and the National Residency Matching Program. Proof of ECFMG certification is required for both. If you wish to become eligible for the match, contact the National Resident Matching Program and ERAS before October of the year prior to your projected residency. For more information, contact the National Resident Matching Program at (866) 617.5834, or http://www.nrmp.org and go to http://www.ecfmg.org/eras to apply for ERAS.

COURSEWARE ACCESS

Students who have enrolled in Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Saint Lucia have exclusive access to the Basic Medical Science Lectures and Exams.

Our Courseware uses advanced multimedia learning tools to support learning success and enhance teaching.

With our commitment to student success, our motivated faculty and the Destiny faculty support team, create an integrated learning environment available to all students.

Lectures, labs and related content from the Destiny campus as well as through out the world are encoded for online delivery.

Utilizing web conferencing software, our students enrolled in the Independent Study Program are able to establish online lecture/review sessions with a faculty led group.

CURRICULUM

ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

Pre-clinical training is completed in 20 months, consisting of 5 terms of 15 weeks in length. The full time on-campus students and the Independent Study students do the same coursework at the same time. The on-campus time for Independent Study students is scheduled to take advantage of integration of coursework, and clinical correlations.

Clinical experience during pre-clinical studies: -- Clinical medicine is continuously woven into the curriculum. From the first week of the first term, the students will be expected to take advantage of clinical contact for up to 4 hours each week. Full time on-campus students will use clinical facilities in Saint Lucia. Distance students will be required to arrange for such experiences during their off-campus studies, and will use the Saint Lucia facilities when on-campus.

Basic Medical Sciences

Clinical Sciences

Clinical training is 76 weeks in length and comprises required, or 'core" clinical rotations during your first clinical year, and "elective" rotations during your second clinical year.

Core clinical training takes place primarily in the United States.

Following is a list of Core rotations, and their length.

The balance of the student's clinical training consists of clinical electives. These electives are selected according to the student's particular interests, helping them get oriented toward their choice of practice and post-medical education. During clinical training, students are required to complete reading assignments, take on-line examinations in their current rotation and to participate in regular on-line chat sessions and forums.

“CLINICAL TRAINING AVAILABLE”

If you are in need of clinical rotations because:

• Your school has too few sites
• The quality of your rotations is low
• You would like rotations in specific geographic locations
• Your school’s rotations are not “Greenbook”
• You can’t get rotations in your area of interest

We may be able to help you. Please contact us.

Masters Degree Program in Clinical Anatomy

Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences creates success in the Master's Program possible for most students. Participation includes two distinct opportunities:

• First, on-campus full-time enrollment in Saint Lucia
• Second, a personally designed independent study program, with 70% of course time completed thru our on-line curriculum, and 30% of course time completed on campus.

Medical School preparation track is designed to allow prospective medical students the opportunity to demonstrate their academic abilities at the medical school level.

Being accepted to medical school is challenging, competitive and at times, disappointing, since there aren't enough seats in the US for qualified students.

Destiny is committed to students who want to demonstrate their abilities and test their academic potential, all the while improving their chances at a career in medicine.

Destiny has designed the Master's Program with the "late bloomer" in mind. You are never to old to follow your dreams and accomplish new and rewarding challenges.

All credits that are accrued in the Master's Program are transferable to the M.D. program.

To be successful:

• Take the first year medical courses with the Destiny medical students, either on campus or through independent study.
• Medical school faculty always available to you for support and encouragement
• Your test scores are compared with medical students. Achievement of a "B" average assures admission into the second year Destiny medical class.
• Complete a thesis paper.

Admissions Criteria for Destiny Medical School Preparation Track, please contact us.

Career Advancement track is designed to to increase Health Care Professionals knowledge in Clinical Anatomy, thus improving their clinical skills and increasing their knowledge base for teaching and career advancement.

The Destiny Master's Degree in Clinical Anatomy is our way of opening avenues of opportunity.

Destiny offers the Master's Program for the undergraduate educator who needs to improve personal knowledge and professional standing.

Destiny is aware of the needs of current healthcare professionals who are seeking advancement, promotion and career path changes. Destiny wants to help make this possible with the Master's Program.

The Destiny Master's Degree in Clinical Anatomy provides a platform for increasing knowledge & understanding while learning to interweave basic medical sciences into clinical application and considerations through coursework, discussion sessions, experience and seminars.

To be successful:

• Participate in first year medical classes with Destiny professors and students through independent study and on-line technology.
• Additional independent studies, designed according to individual or school interests, to be conducted primarily on campus
• Complete a thesis paper.
• Complete the rest of requirements on campus in Saint Lucia.
• Destiny faculty and staff always available to you for support and encouragement.

Opportunities include but are not limited to:

• participation (with the guidance of the Destiny faculty & staff) in use and development of multimedia in teaching
• real time participation in lab instruction (of newer students)
• specimen preparations (productions of prosections)
• development of individual projects related to interest areas

Destiny faculty and staff always available to you for support and encouragement.

Admissions Criteria for Destiny Career Advancement Track, please contact us.

Campus Life

It is an exciting time in the evolution of the Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences,(Destiny) , Saint Lucia!

With this acquisition of our new properties, all of our on campus facilities will expanded and updated including, classrooms, labs, dormitories, faculty living quarters and offices, dining rooms, recreation areas and a library/learning center.

Upcoming plans for the new campus also include an on-site medical clinic, making Destiny unique among Caribbean medical schools. This clinic will assure our medical students the opportunity to work with patients, even during the first semester.

A fully modern Gross Anatomy Lab will guarantee hands-on experience for pre-clinical students as well as students seeking Masters Degrees in Clinical Anatomy.

A state-of-the-art “Smart Classroom” on the new campus will be utilized to allow for synchronous communication between the Destiny campus, clinical training sites and affiliates worldwide.

The evolution and changes that the college is experiencing will guarantee that campus life at Destiny will be exciting, challenging and rewarding! Please take the opportunity to explore our website in depth for all of the opportunities that Destiny and beautiful Saint Lucia have to offer as you work for and achieve your dreams.

Students

Using "state of the art" technology, students can join the Destiny family from all continents, either as a full time preclinical student on the beautiful Saint Lucia campus or as an Independent Studies student, especially from emerging countries and rural areas. Your study partners may be several time zones distant from you.

The curriculum is identical for full time on campus students and Independent Studies students.The curriculum is identical for full time on campus students and Independent Studies students.

Independent Study students usually consist of healthcare professionals from anywhere, who spend at least 30% pre clinical time in Saint Lucia. Independent study students take the entire pre clinical curriculum regardless of similar courses taken in previous training in order to be sure to meet registration requirements for licensure.

Medical schools all over the world are discovering the now-obvious advantage of having lectures always available to students . Students enter discussion, laboratory and clinical sessions having mastered the material usually mastered by traditional medical students. Then the group discussions take place.

In the Destiny teaching model, faculty-student discussions will take place on a regular basis after lectures have been viewed online, taking the "face to face" discussions to a high plane. One-hundred percent attendance of lectures is required for attendance in chat sessions. A significant portion of the students' grade is generated in the chat sessions.

Exams and assignments are completed online, using the latest tools in educational technology allowing multi level randomization as well as data collection so valuable to summative measurement of the curriculum.

Final examinations must be taken on campus, or at an agreed-on secure site(proctored environment) - usually a Destiny teaching hospital affiliate.

The Saint Lucia campus provides students with everything they need to work at their maximum level of effectiveness, including a beautiful academic campus that mixes traditional laboratories and teaching with today's tools.

Life in Saint Lucia is as quiet or lively as you choose, and Saint Lucia is known for its agreeable people and safety for everyone. The rich history, beauty, and daily life couple with the incredible beauty of the Caribbean LINK to make your time on campus an experience of a lifetime.

Clinical Training takes place primarily in teaching hospitals in the USA and elsewhere.

THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL AS A STUDENT

The Independent Studies Pre clinical program was designed for students who are trained and involved in the healthcare or education profession. Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Dentists, Podiatrists, Chiropractors, and specifically trained College Science Professors, and others have many of the attributes we believe important to independent studies, including:

• Knowledge and experience in a Healthcare Profession
• Knowledge and experience in appropriate Science college education
• Outstanding academic background for medical school
• Maturity
• Access to local healthcare facilities for clinical experience during pre clinical training
• Significant (one month - 30%) on campus time each semester
• Able to work part time in areas where their input is critical to their local healthcare

The Independent Studies program is identical to the on campus pre clinical program, and they flow in parallel, allowing academic mixing of the groups. However, there is a "part-time" independent studies program that extends pre clinical training time, relieving some of the intensity of medical education. The time-tested curriculum is delivered using "State of the Art" technology, teaching solid basic concepts, incorporating laboratories, lectures, chats and assignments.

Clinical training is conducted primarily in teaching hospitals in the USA and elsewhere.

Academic Schedule for 2009

Schedule applies to all students currently enrolled

Tuition is due 30 days prior to the semester start date.

Academic Schedule for 2010

Tuition is due 30 days prior to the semester start date.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition is due 30 days prior to the semester start date.

Economic Support

The Financial Services Office at Destiny University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Saint Lucia, Can I qualify is glad to work with all perspective and incoming students to streamline your efforts at making your educational goals and dreams a reality. Student personal loans are available from the following source:

• TFC Credit Corporation loans up to $18,000 a year (Please contact DESTINY Financial Services for further information).
• DESTINY UNIVERSITY Financial Services.

Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Saint Lucia, is proud to offer two scholarships for Montana residents, including Healthcare Professionals. The scholarships, entitled the Chick Sanders Memorial Scholarships for Excellence, will cover fifty (50) percent of tuition. Applicants for both the incoming and advanced levels, as well as students ready for clinical training are invited to apply.

Thomas “Chick” Sanders was a lifelong resident of Butte, Montana, who had a unique ability to listen to people and understand their problems. The scholarship is given in his name in the hope that the recipients will foster this characteristic in their dealing with patients.

For more information about the Sanders Scholarship and other financial inquiries, please contact us.

Admissions

Can I Qualify for the MD Program?

To be eligible for the MD program, a student must have completed at least 3 years of college coursework. However, most students have earned a Bachelor's Degreeprior to admission to DESTINY.Exceptional candidates may apply for admission after completion of 90 credits of university-level studies.

Criteria for Selection:

• Undergraduate cumulative grade point average
• Grade point average in required pre-medical coursework
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Advanced Biology and Chemistry courses
• Graduate level work
• Work history
• Professional experiences
• Personal essay

To Apply, Click Here

Can I Qualify for the Masters Degree in Clinical Anatomy?

To be eligible for the Masters Degree in Clinical Anatomy, a Bachelor's Degree level with a strong science background is required. Assessment criteria include:

• Undergraduate cumulative grade point
• Grade point average in required sciences coursework
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Graduate level work
• Work history/ professional experiences
• Personal essay

Applicants may be required to have their transcripts evaluated by an international credential evaluation service.

For more Information, Click Here.

How do I apply? Ask a question?
Email DUSOM now