About St. Martinus University

History

St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine (SMUFOM) was chartered in 2000 on the island of Curaçao. Curaçao, with its Dutch influence, is a melting pot of North American, European, and Latin American cultures. At St. Martinus University, we are passionate about quality education. Students are educated with a combination of text and cadavers in order to simultaneously provide theory and an understanding of course material. SMUFOM is a premier academic medical school with a mission to provide excellence in education, research, and medical care. SMUFOM offers students a small class-size environment, personal attention, and the tools needed to succeed in a rigorous pre-medical or medical program.

Mission Statement

At St. Martinus University School of Medicine our Mission is to provide a well-balanced instructional program that enables the students to reach their highest level of academic success. Our staff is committed to creating a student-centered educational environment that stresses high expectations. Our goal is to maintain an active partnership involving students, teachers, community and staff to develop a love of learning while embracing our diversity and unique talents in a safe, challenging, respectful and supportive environment.

Our faculty, staff and students accomplish our mission by providing student assistance inside and outside the classroom. Teaching assistants are available to help fellow students succeed. We acquire the best equipment and staff. We have developed a curriculum which will aid students in preparation for the USMLE, enhance placement into clinical rotations and provide the skills and knowledge that will lead to a successful and rewarding career. Our aim is to help students reach their full potential and become qualified physicians and exceptional leaders in the field of medicine.

Why SMUFOM?

When selecting a Caribbean Medical School, St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine on the island of Curaçao is the Caribbean’s best kept secret. At St. Martinus University we are passionate about the quality of education, and we are looking for students and faculty that will share this passionate. Curaçao is a melting pot of North American, European and Latin American cultures, and St. Martinus University is the same. We offer our students the best of both worlds:

Curaçao is considered the ideal location for education in the Caribbean. There are many reasons why St. Martinus University should be your first choice for medical education. Let us give you some of the reasons why:

Reason One:

St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine is one of only two private medical schools in the Caribbean that offers a two-semester per year system, consistent with the LCME-accredited U.S., Canadian, and most medical schools around the world. It is no surprise that the other Schools with a much longer history, with the same system, have consistently produced the highest USMLE Step 1 pass rates and residency placement percentages. Studies have shown that the three-semester per year systems have a pace that is too fast for the students and they are unable to retain the information they have been taught, which yields lower USMLE test scores. The two semester system offers 20 weeks of curriculum, allowing students to take their time to learn truly and understand the curriculum. SMUFOM offers a three-week remediation course at the end of each semester for those students who need more intensive instruction to enhance their ability to continue to the next semester.

Reason Two:

Our students will be exposed to the hospital clinical setting starting from the first semester. We are pursuing a relationship with a 300-bed regional hospital in Curaçao, so that students are exposed to knowledge in action! It should also be noted that the Government of Curaçao has approved a $230 million state-of-the art replacement hospital that is in the final stages of development.

Reason Three:

At SMUFOM, we start board reviews in Semester 1 instead of waiting until the end of Semester 4. Students are prepared for the USMLE Step 1 all along the way so that they are ready to take the examination shortly after they finish their Basic Sciences courses. In addition, at the end of every Semester, students are given tests patterned after the USMLE Step 1 examination. These tests are designed to find the deficiencies in each student so that the student pays more attention to those areas. The students can attend remedial sessions as well to cover these courses again. The schedule of these tests at the end of each Semester is as follows:

Reason Four:

The total yearly tuition is considerably less than three semester schools ($41,000 at trimester school versus $28,800 at SMUFOM). See the cost analysis below:

A THREE Semester School:

TOTAL TUITION PAID: $41,000

ST. MARTINUS UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE

TOTAL TUITION PAID: $28,800

Reason Five:

Curaçao! This island offers white sand beaches and colorful buildings which are displayed throughout the Dutch influenced architecture and hospitality. The cost of living in Curaçao is also considerably less than most other Caribbean islands. Homes are more affordable and filled with European appeal. Curaçao is developed like a European town with all the modern facilities available. It would not be an exaggeration to call Curaçao mini-Amsterdam!

Reason Six:

The heritage of the Sisters of Rosenthal rings through the halls of St. Martinus University. Built in 1842, the Sisters laid the foundation of our exceptional educational system. SMUFOM truly offers excellence through education.

Reason Seven:

Safety. Curaçao posseses one of the lowest crime rates per capita of the Caribbean islands. Additionally, it is ranked last in the likelihood of being hit by a hurricane.

Reason Eight:

A Student Portal – SMUFOM offers an interactive student portal (Sakai), which is accessible via the School’s website. Students can login and find all class documents including syllabi, lecture presentations, handouts, and class updates. It is also an exceptional way to stay in contact with your classmates and professors.

Recognition & Accreditation

Charter
St. Martinus University has been formally chartered by the Government of the Netherlands Antilles. This charter grants the St. Martinus University the right to confer the Doctor of Medicine degree upon its graduates, who will then be eligible for medical licensure.

Furthermore St. Martinus University is recognized and/or approved and/or listed by:

• World Health Organization (W.H.O.)
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
• Welcome Letter from the Ministry of Health of the island of Curaçao (Ing. Charles Cooper Msc.)
• Appreciation letter from the Ministry of Health of the island of Curaçao (M. Bouwland Luciano)
• Letter of Recognition Ministry of Health of the island of Curaçao.

St. Martinus University is listed with WHO, ECFMG and IMED.

As part of the degree requirements for our students who wish to do their Clinical Clerkships in the USA, the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) must be taken and successfully passed. Students that have completed a B.Sc. can apply for our 4-year M.D. degree program. Students that have completed a pre-university program with sciences (I.B., A levels, VWO, 10+2 or similar) are eligible to enroll in our accelerated Premedical degree program. This one year program prepares students for seamless access to our M.D. program. After completing the Basic Sciences at our campus in Curaçao, our students complete the clinical clerkships in qualified hospitals in the United States. Clerkships are also possible in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine program has been approved by VA

If you are a veteran of the United States military, and wish to study medicine at St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine in Curaçao, you are now eligible for educational and training benefits to assist with your medical studies. The United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has created the GI Bill Website to help US veterans review their education and training benefit options and apply for benefits. Veterans should visit the Veteran Affairs website and complete an online application for benefits. Once you have successfully applied and reserved your place at St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine, please forward your confirmation of benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs to your SMUFOM Admission Advisor. It is then our responsibility to verify your attendance at SMUFOM with the Department at the beginning of your term.

Fees & Payments

The St. Martinus University, Faculty of Medicine is dedicated to offering the highest quality education to its students. Students who achieve high honors and display the highest level of academic achievement will be awarded academic scholarships. Details regarding scholarship eligibility may be obtained from the Office of the Dean.

Application Fee:

Prospective students are required to pay a one time non-refundable fee of $75 US.
A seat reservation fee is a one time non-refundable fee of $1000 US and will be deducted from the cost of tuition upon attending.
All fees are in US Dollars.

Pre-Medical:
Pre-med tuition: $5,400
Yearly Pre-med fee : $10,800

MD (Doctor of Medicine):
1. Basic Sciences – There are 4 semesters in Basic Sciences program
Tuition Fee Per Semester : $7,200
Tuition Fee Per Year : $14,400

2. Clinical Sciences – There are 4 semesters in Clinical Sciences program divided in 80 weeks
Tuition Fee Per Semester : $12,500 and up (based on the site)
Tuition Fee Per Year : $25,000

The fee for clinical rotations is non refundable.

No Refund request will be accepted after the Clerkship fees are paid and the Clinical Site is confirmed by the University.
No refund will be given if the student is dismissed from the University or the Clinical site for failing to perform adequately in the Clinical rotation.

Please make all the checks payable to St. Martinus  Administrative Services. There is one time re-validation fee of $1,000.00 for transfer students to the Clinical Program for evaluation and granting of medical school transfer credits.

All students are requested to pay a $1,000 deposit (non-refundable) within 10 days of acceptance to the Medical school in order to secure placement. This fee will be deducted from the remainder of the tuition which will be due 15 days before the first day of classes. Any payment made later than that are subject to a 5% late fee.

Payment Methods

St. Martinus University, Faculty of Medicine accepts any of the following payment methods:

- Cash
- Check
- Cashier’s Check
- Wire Transfer

Students will receive a receipt for any payments made.

Tuition will be required to be paid in full before classes begin.

   

Pre-Medical

St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine offers an intensive 3 semester pre-med curriculum. This course is designed for students who do not have the required number of undergraduate credit hours or do not meet the eligibility GPA requirements, but who demonstrate the potential to complete successfully the program. Each applicant is reviewed individually by the Admissions Committee, whose decision is final. Students will get credit for college level courses they have completed in other academic institutions. Students who successfully complete the pre-med program proceed automatically into the medical program.

M.D. Program

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

The medical program offered at St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine is a rigorous program that integrates the Basic Sciences into the clinical practice of medicine. The program in the Basic Sciences are offered over four semesters of 20 weeks each. We believe that a high quality education cannot be rushed. Two 20 week semesters a year affords students the opportunity to integrate and retain the knowledge presented.

Basic Sciences:
Each semester in the Basic Sciences consist of 20 weeks. There is a scheduled mid-semester break after mid-term exams. There are 35 contact hours of teaching per week in each of the first four semesters. This is equivalent to more contact hours over 4 semesters than most Caribbean schools over 5 semesters.
In order to successfully complete the basic sciences component of the degree, a student must have successfully passed all courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0. There is a 3 week, end of semester remediation for students who fail a course or who want a comprehensive review of the subject material.

Clinical Clerkships

Clinical Rotation Spots are available in the following states in the USA: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Michigan, Utah, Virginia.

Current Clinical Clerkships are also available in Europe and Canada (electives only).

Details of the Clerkship locations and affiliations are not published on the website at the request of the participating Hospitals. These details are only provided to current students as they prepare to attend the Clerkships for SMUFOM. For additional clarification of this policy, please contact us.

Clinical Sciences:

Clinical clerkships provide a supervised educational experience, a part of the clinical component of the program of medical education, and takes place in a teaching hospital acceptable to the University.

Electives may be drawn from the following list and must meet these criteria. They must be of a minimum of three weeks in duration and must NOT exceed more than six weeks. A student must receive prior approval and complete a minimum of four electives before he or she can graduate:

A total of 80 weeks of clinical rotations are required divided in 4 semesters of 20 weeks each.

• Non Refundable Policy on Clinical Rotations
• No Refund request is accepted after the Clerkship fees are paid and the Clinical Site is confirmed by the University
• No refund is given if the student is dismissed from the University, or if the Clinical site fails to perform adequately in the Clinical rotation

Loan Programs

US Student Loans

St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine Private Loan Program

The University is pleased to announce that it has a new private student loan program that is available to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, and International Students, with a qualified co-signer. Although U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents may qualify on their own credit, it is St. Martinus policy, except under very strict exceptions, such as documentation the student has the ability to repay the loan, to require all students to have a qualified co-signer.

The loan can be certified to cover up to the full “Costs of Attendance” (“COA”), as determined by the University, with two or more disbursements across the semester. Please bear in mind that due to the recent upheaval in the student loan and mortgage loan credit markets, the University is giving significant attention to ensure responsible lending and borrowing. Therefore, the University is being particularly conservative and cautious in scrutinizing proposed student budgets and anticipated future student spending patterns.

Scholarships

SMUFOM offers its students an Academic Scholarship for a semester when the student shows academic excellence and achieves honors. This scholarship continues each term while the student maintains honors. Students who achieve this level of academic standing may also be offered a position as a teaching assistant.

SMUFOM Essay Writing

Enter the essay contest and win one semester’s tuition fee!!! Winner of the Essay Competition will be given one semester free of tuition fee by the school. In the following semesters, the student will be eligible to apply for the institutional loans.

Financial Assistance

SMU understands that some students will require financial aid in order to attend and is committed to providing such assistance.

Academic Scholarships:

SMUFOM offers its students an Academic Scholarship for a semester when the student shows academic excellence and achieves honors. This scholarship continues each term whiles the student maintains honors. Students who achieve this level of academic standing may also be offered a position as a teaching assistant.

Teaching Assistantships:

Students who achieve a GPA of 3.0 or above are able to receive the position of a Teaching Assistant. The Teaching Assistants get $2000 per semester that is applied towards their tuition fee.

Futher Information

For detailed information, please contact us.