When prospective international students are looking to start their higher education in medical school, there will be many factors to consider – but one of the most important is what happens after graduation.
One thing to not overlook when thinking about a future career in medicine is the accreditation of the medical school.
Accreditation is a voluntary process of quality assurance in which schools and programs are evaluated under established standards. How a school is accredited could unlock the next stages of graduates’ journey to becoming a doctor, as the accreditation process promotes institutional and programmatic improvement and requires that schools demonstrate that their programs prepare graduates to enter into the next stage of their training and career.
In short, you can be reassured that an accredited school is equipping you with the tools you need to take the next step in your training, education, and ultimately career. To help you grasp a better understanding to the importance of accreditation for medical schools, St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, Grenada, in the Caribbean, answers the most important questions about accreditation and what it means for international medical students’ careers.
Why is accreditation so important?
Proper accreditation and approvals provide students with the essential privileges and pathways to become physicians. Proper accreditation becomes even more critical for students considering attending a Caribbean medical school, since not all Caribbean medical schools are the same.
Medical schools in the Caribbean have varying accreditation levels, curriculum strengths and opportunities available to students. For example, SGU’s accreditation and recognitions ensures that SGU students have access to the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), can participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and can apply for licensure to practice medicine in the United States.
What is SGU’s accreditation status?
The St. Georges’ University School of Medicine program is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council (GMDC). The GMDC has been reviewed by the US National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), which is comprised of a panel of experts organized by the US Department of Education.
The committee assembled by the NCFMEA has determined that the GMDC uses standards that are comparable to the ones used to accredit medical schools in the US.
How do we know if the accrediting body is recognized?
. In the case of The Grenada Medical and Dental Council, the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) has reviewed and recognized the GMDC. The WFME is the Non-Governmental Organization in official relation with the World Health Organization representing medical education and medical schools worldwide. For the last 50 years they have been developing the standards of education and promoting those schools who are accredited. The WFME Recognition Programme follows the same principles as a medical school accreditation system: evaluation of documentation, policies, and procedures; a site visit; and a decision taken by an independent committee with reference to pre-defined criteria.
The GDMC was recently awarded Recognition Status by the WFME – this is for ten years with immediate effect, meaning they can carry on accrediting St. George’s University, School of Medicine for at least the next decade.
What does this mean for students?
Most importantly, it gives peace of mind. Students considering SGU can rest easy knowing its accrediting body, the GMDC, has been granted the proper WFME recognition through September 2032.
These approvals and recognitions confirm the solid accreditation status of the SGU School Of Medicine into the future and ensure continued access to United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE), the US National Residency Match Program (NRMP), and application for state licensure.
Meeting the high standards of the GMDC means that SGU’s students’ pathway to becoming physicians at St. George’s University, School of Medicine is as strong as ever.
About St. George’s University School of Medicine:
Founded in 1976 with the goal of drawing the best talent and practices from around the world, St. George’s University (SGU) has become a center for academic excellence worldwide. With students and faculty drawn from more than 150 countries, SGU is truly an international institution, with a uniquely global perspective, poised to help educate students in this rapidly changing world.
St. George’s University School of Medicine has a four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program or offers five-, six-, and seven-year pathways to its Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree program with entry points available for students from any education system around the world. SGU has a unique opportunity for students to begin their medical career in Grenada or the United Kingdom.