M. Dewayne Andrews, M.D., Vice President for Health Affairs and Executive
Dean
940 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Suite 357
Oklahoma City, OK 73104-5042
Phone: (405) 271-2265
FAX: (405) 271-3032
Internet: http://www.medicine.ouhsc.edu/
Medical education is a complex mixture of graduate and professional education. Students are expected to master basic scientific principles and facts as well as to obtain sufficient clinical skills and experience to be well prepared for residency training. The education must convey the continually expanding body of medical science and prepare students for competent and compassionate patient care. Medicine and its practice is truly a commitment to life-long learning.
The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is creative in meeting the needs of both our students and the needs of our state’s population. At the turn of the 20th century the College of Medicine was established in Norman as a two-year pre-clinical school. Ten years later in 1910 it was merged with the Epworth Medical College in Oklahoma City and became a four-year degree-granting school. The College’s mission includes education, biomedical research, and exemplary patient care. In conjunction with its affiliated teaching hospitals, the College provides a sophisticated learning environment. Patients are referred to our faculty and teaching hospitals from throughout the U.S. and the world.
The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine fulfills its mission by assuring the fiscal and administrative resources, teaching and research facilities that are necessary to create an environment for the highest level of professional achievement. Our faculty, many of whom have reached positions of prominence in American medicine, are committed to providing a continuum for students to progressively acquire the knowledge and skills to understand the nature of health and illness and to care for patients and their families. The University is justifiably proud of its students, faculty and staff for the strength of the institution lies in these individuals.
The uniqueness of the Oklahoma Health Center, the remarkable aggregate of health related institutions on the 300-acre complex in central Oklahoma City, includes the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the OU Medical Center hospital complex, and 31 member organizations ranging from cutting-edge technology companies to government, education, health care and community support institutions. Medical students are not only afforded the opportunity to train on this campus but in a variety of health care delivery models across our community and state. There are over 800 full-time faculty and more than 2,100 volunteer faculty serving the College of Medicine.
Additionally, the College of Medicine-Tulsa is the community-based, clinical campus founded in 1972 by act of the Oklahoma legislature.
The OU medical curriculum provides an integrated overview of human biology and behavior, encourages students to embrace self-directed learning and develops professional behaviors. Themes of the curriculum include professionalism, integration, clinical skills, and learning through patient care. Scholarly activity and research are available. There is an emphasis on the academic and social support of students. Personal qualities of professional development are discussed with attention to scientific foundations and technology of medicine balanced with professional responsibilities. Student evaluations use both objective and subjective performance criteria. Classroom and laboratory studies are complemented with clinical demonstrations and case studies, problem-based and team learning, and an extensive online curriculum called Hippocrates. First-year courses focus on knowledge of structure and function of human biology, critical thinking skills, and the management of medical information. A two-week intersession provides opportunity for electives in medical humanities. Second-year courses address the understanding of diseases, including pathophysiology and therapy of diseases, and form a bridge of basic information leading directly into the clinical curriculum. Patient contact in the first two years employs a standardized patient program and work in community clinics with full access to a human simulation center. The required clerkships in medical specialties in years three and four may be taken in either an academic health center (Oklahoma City) or community hospital setting (Tulsa). Fourth-year students have a required ambulatory care experience, a rural preceptorship with a physician in a small Oklahoma community; and six months of clinical electives. Students have opportunity to experience five specialty electives taken in third or fourth year. The educational program is based on six competencies (patient care, medical knowledge, evidence-based learning, communication skills, professionalism and systems based practice) forming a continuum with graduate medical education (residency training). A fully-funded MD/PhD program is available for students interested in medical research.
Adequate loan resources are available to meet the needs of all eligible medical students. An entering student should complete the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. OUHSC school code is 005889. The Financial Aid Office website offers all the information a student should need concerning federal and private student aid. Go to www.ouhsc.edu and click on “Financial Aid” or go directly to the Financial Aid website at http://w3.ouhsc.edu/sfs/. Questions can be sent to financial-aid@ouhsc.edu or call:
Office of Financial Aid
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
P.O. Box 26901
Oklahoma City, OK 73190
(405) 271-2118
For the best opportunity to be awarded low interest loans, the FAFSA should be completed by March 1st for the upcoming academic year. Scholarships are based on need and/or academic standing in the medical school. To apply for scholarships, contact the College of Medicine at 405/271-2265 or access their web site at www.ouhsc.edu.
Inquires concerning admissions should be addressed to the Office of Admissions, College of Medicine, 357 Biomedical Sciences Building, P.O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190. The Admissions website is www.medicine.ouhsc.edu/admissions/.
All applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent visa and have a minimum of 90 semester hours of academic college work at an accredited college or university, and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The following prerequisites must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0:
Although the baccalaureate degree is not required for admission, it is strongly recommended that the applicant have the degree prior to entering medical school. With thoughtful planning of coursework, it should be possible to complete all requirements for admission to medical school as well as those for the degree. Computer skills are required for medical school.
Each applicant must take the Medical College Admissions test (MCAT) and have a minimum average score of 7.0. Beginning January 2007, the MCAT will be delivered as a computerized exam only. Thomson Prometric will deliver the exam on behalf of the AAMC multiple times per year. Special examinations are not given, and applicants should register well in advance of the scheduled dates at www.aamc.org/MCAT/. Assistance in this regard is generally available from premedical advisers, however, final responsibility rests with the applicant.
As the number of qualified applicants increases, the Admissions Board members are called upon to examine motivation, commitment, support systems, and the ability of each applicant to cope with the rigors of a professional school system. Academically competitive applicants have a GPA of 3.6 and an MCAT average of 9.6. All interviews are offered at the discretion of the Admissions Board.
The college utilizes the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The web-based application is available at www.aamc.org/AMCAS/. Applications are received from June through October 15 of the year prior to which admission is sought. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. In addition to the AMCAS application, the college requires two letters of reference: one from the applicant’s premedical committee, and one from any other faculty member of his or her choosing, or three faculty letters if the premedical committee is not used (this option is strongly discouraged for currently enrolled OU students). Applications cannot be considered until all materials requested have been received. Completion deadline is November 1.
Grading at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is a combination of objective and subjective evaluation of academic and professional abilities of the student. All courses in the college must be passed with a grade of C or better and all required coursework must be satisfied. Additionally, students are required to take and pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to advance to third-year of medical school, and take USMLE Step 2 prior to graduation.
Licensure to practice medicine in the United States is governed by state Boards of Medical Licensure. A medical degree is required as is passing the three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and completion of at least one year of approved residency training. Further information about licensure may be obtained directly from State Boards.
The College of Medicine offers a 30-month Physician Associate Program leading to a Master of Health of Science degree. Preadmission advising and counseling can be obtained by contacting the Physician’s Associate Program at the Health Sciences Center, (405) 271-2058.
To be considered for admission to the Physician Associate Program an applicant must:
1. Have a minimum of 90 semester hours from an accredited college or university.
2. Have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
3. Complete three reference forms.
4. Provide a resume.
5. Submit a statement on “Why I Wish to Become A Physician Associate.”
6. Complete the General test component of the Grade Record Examination prior to the application deadline.
7. Complete the on-line application for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
8. Applicants must have completed the following courses prior to the first
day of classes.
Note that prerequisite courses need not be completed prior to the application
deadline. Any exceptions or substitutions must be approved by the physician
associate program.
English Composition — two semesters
U.S. Government — one semester
U.S. History — one semester
Psychology — one semester
Psychology elective — one semester
Microbiology — one semester
Pathogenic Microbiology, Virology, or Immunology — one semester
Anatomy* — one semester
Physiology* — one semester
Zoology — one semester
General Chemistry — two semesters
General Physics — one semester
College-level algebra — one semester
*Two semesters of combined anatomy/physiology fulfill separate course requirements.
It is highly recommended that all science courses have a laboratory component. Electives are preferred in the biological, physical, and behavioral sciences and humanities.
An application must be complete before it will be considered by the Admissions Committee. Applicants who meet these requirements and have a completed application on file may be invited for a personal interview. This does not indicate acceptance. All expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant.
It is recommended that applicants have direct patient contact health care experience.
Applications should be made directly to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Office of Admissions and Records. As soon as the packet has been evaluated and made ready by this office, it will be forwarded to the admissions coordinator of the Physician Associate program for consideration.
Classes begin in early July each year. A maximum of 50 students are accepted to each class. All applications must be completed by October 1. The application process includes a formal interview for those candidates selected for final consideration.
Successful completion of the Physician Associate Program leads to the Master of Health Sciences degree. Any student who successfully completes all of the courses with a minimum grade of C in all Physician Associate courses and a minimum grade point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale may be recommended for graduation by the promotions committee.
The work in the College of Medicine is 30 months in duration and is divided into two phases: the basic science phase and the clinical clerkship phase.
The basic science phase is 17 months in length, and all work is done at the Health Sciences Center. Basic science training consists of required courses taught by several Colleges at the Health Sciences Center.
The clinical clerkship phase of the program is 13 months in length and is decentralized, with the majority of the clerkships spent with private practitioners throughout the State of Oklahoma; there are also out-of-state clerkships at other centers. For these reasons, it is necessary that the students be mobile during this particular phase of their education. Physician Associate education is designed to train generalist practitioners and therefore covers the major disciplines that comprise primary care.
There are 13 clerkships, each lasting four weeks, during the clinical phase of the program, with experiences in the areas of medicine, surgery, pediatrics, emergency services, family practice, OB/GYN, and mental health.
Graduates of the P.A. program are eligible to sit for a national certifying exam and are eligible for licensure as a Physician Assistant.