Saint Mary’s biology students now have a pathway to accelerated admission to the American Canadian School of Medicine
Saint Mary's University has signed a Medical School Pathway Program agreement with the American Canadian School of Medicine (ACSOM) in the Commonwealth of Dominica, creating a new pathway for students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. The agreement establishes a structured academic pathway that will allow eligible students enrolled in Saint Mary's Bachelor of Science in Biology program to pursue accelerated admission to ACSOM's Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.
Through the Saint Mary’s Medical School Pathway Program, students will complete the first three years of study at Saint Mary's before beginning four years of medical studies at ACSOM. Students who successfully complete the first year at ACSOM will receive credits toward their Saint Mary's degree and will be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Science from Saint Mary's while continuing toward their medical degree.
Students who meet the pathway's academic requirements may apply to ACSOM without writing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Students entering ACSOM through the pathway will also receive a scholarship equivalent to at least 25 per cent of standard ACSOM tuition. During the first three years of the agreement, ACSOM will reserve up to 50 spaces annually for qualified Saint Mary's pathway students.
“This partnership creates a new and innovative route from an outstanding undergraduate education at Saint Mary’s to medical school.”
“For decades, Saint Mary's has produced talented graduates from undergraduate programs who have gone on to stellar careers in medicine and health," said Dr. Michael Khan, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary's University. "This partnership creates a new and innovative route from an outstanding undergraduate education at Saint Mary's to medical school."
"I know the excellence of our science programs, our faculty and our students,” said Dr. Sam Veres, Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research (Interim). “Every year, our students demonstrate the talent, work ethic and academic achievement needed to succeed at the highest levels. This pathway recognizes that excellence and creates an exciting new opportunity for students to pursue careers in medicine.”
"The American Canadian School of Medicine is committed to creating new opportunities for qualified Canadian students to pursue medical education," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, Executive Vice-President for Canada at ACSOM. "Our partnership with Saint Mary's University creates a new pathway for students to pursue their medical aspirations while building on the strong academic foundation they receive through Saint Mary's science programming. We look forward to welcoming qualified Saint Mary's students to ACSOM and supporting their development as future physicians."
The pathway supports Saint Mary's commitment to student success and provides aspiring physicians with a clearly defined academic route from undergraduate studies to medical education. It also strengthens the university's growing portfolio of academic and professional pathways that connect students with opportunities in high-demand fields while enhancing the Faculty of Science's ability to attract and support students interested in healthcare and medical careers.
Students at the American Canadian School of Medicine Source: ACSOM
From medical education in Dominica to clinical training in North America, ACSOM students build their clinical skills through hands-on experiences in hospital and clinical settings during the final two years of the MD program. These experiences allow students to work alongside practicing physicians, apply their medical knowledge in real-world settings, and gain exposure to different specialties as they prepare for postgraduate training.
ACSOM prepares students for both the US and Canadian residency match. Students take the USMLE exams for the US and the Medical Council of Canada exams for residency and licensure in Canada.
ACSOM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) and the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR), providing students and families with confidence in the institution's commitment to internationally recognized standards in medical education.
Saint Mary’s joins the University of Waterloo and the University of Windsor as the third Canadian university to establish a medical school pathway to ACSOM.