According to the 2015 Association of American Medical Colleges report, Mississippi had the worst active physician rate in the U.S., with just 64.5 per 100,000 people. And this shortage continues to be a problem today. Fortunately, this means you’ll have a job after graduating if you want to pursue a medical career.
Mississippi has two medical schools: one that grants M.D. degrees and one that grants D.O. degrees. That’s why we summarized their most essential aspects below to help you choose the best one. Please read to learn more!
Top Medical Schools in Mississippi
1. University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi’s School of Medicine was founded in 1903 and started with a two-year program. Initially located in Oxford, the campus moved to Jackson in 1955. The college shares the campus with the School of Dentistry, the School of Population Health, the School of Nursing, and the School of Health Related Professions. It also has a laboratory and research building and the Medical Center’s School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences.
Besides the four-year M.D. program, they also offer an M.D./Ph.D. program. This seven-year program prepares students for clinical practices and research. The program is divided into foundational coursework and clinical rotations during the first three years. For the next three years, the M.D./Ph.D. program focuses on biomedical sciences, in which students must perform scientific research. This objective is to prepare students for their dissertation.
Last year, the program consisted of senior medical courses. Initial applications to this medical school in Mississippi must be made through the AMCAS platform. Applicants must take the MCAT, complete the required pre-medical courses, and submit any other relevant documentation that proves commitment to the community or early experiences in a medical environment.
There’s a unique program called the M1-M2 buddy list, in which first-year students are paired with second-year students. This way, they can learn from more experienced medical students. UMSOM also offers tours for people interested in studying there.
Learn More: Cheap Medical Schools in the USA
2. William Carey University
William Carey University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, located on the university’s Hattiesburg campus, was founded in 2008 to address the lack of physicians in Mississippi and the region. This private medical school in Mississippi accepts international students and out-of-state applicants. However, it strongly prefers admitting in-state students and offers over 100 places each year.
Admissions must be done through the AACOMAS platform. Applicants must complete the secondary application, take the MCAT, have the required pre-medical courses, and submit letters of recommendation. If competitive, they will be invited to interviews. Along with the D.O. degree, WCUCOM also offers a Master’s in Biomedical Science and Anatomy Education.
The D.O. degree program is divided into the foundational and clerkship phases. During the first two years, students learn science concepts, anatomy, histology, and medical physiology, among others. It’s combined with developing basic clinical and patient interaction skills taught through simulations and experiences with standardized patients. WCUCOM has a simulation and technology center. The last two years consist of clerkships and clinical rotations under the supervision of physicians. For the final year, students choose rotations in the areas where they would like to be involved.
The state’s medical schools, such as the University of Mississippi’s School of Medicine and William Carey University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, guarantee students a well-rounded medical education that prepares them for their future careers in healthcare through their academic programs and practical training. So, make sure to take a look at these institutions and choose whatever’s best for you!
We hope this article on the best medical schools in Mississippi was helpful. To know more information on studying in the United States, check out our Study in the USA and the Available Programs for International Students in the USA!
