If becoming a doctor is your goal, you can start building your path at Saint Mary’s University. Earn your Bachelor of Science from Saint Mary’s University and pursue your Doctor of Medicine through an innovative pathway with the American Canadian School of Medicine (ACSOM).
Saint Mary’s University has partnered with the American Canadian School of Medicine in Dominica to create a dedicated Medical School Pathway for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology. The pathway combines the strong science foundation of a Saint Mary’s education with a defined route to medical school, giving you the opportunity to work toward your BSc and MD in seven years of full-time study.
Begin by building a strong foundation in science at Saint Mary’s. Students admitted to the Medical School Pathway follow a specialized BSc Biology curriculum designed to prepare them for medical school applications, including ACSOM.
Complete 90 credit hours toward your Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.
Your studies include biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and other courses designed to build the scientific foundation required for the pathway.
Once you have successfully completed the first 60 credit hours of the pathway and meet the required academic standards, you can apply to ACSOM.
Qualifying Medical School Pathway students who apply to ACSOM will receive an interview, and students who meet the pathway's academic requirements do not need to complete the MCAT to apply to or receive admission to ACSOM.
Successful applicants selected by ACSOM receive conditional admission while completing their third year at Saint Mary’s.
After completing the required 90 credit hours at Saint Mary’s and satisfying the conditions of your ACSOM admission, you’ll begin your first year of medical school at ACSOM in Dominica.
Successfully complete your first year at ACSOM with the required grades and you can receive 30 transfer credit hours toward your Saint Mary’s degree, representing your fourth year of undergraduate study. Students who have satisfied all SMU degree requirements can then apply to graduate with their Bachelor of Science from Saint Mary’s University.
Continue your medical education at ACSOM. Students who successfully complete all ACSOM degree requirements will be eligible to receive their Doctor of Medicine (MD) from ACSOM.
The Medical School Pathway is available to students applying to Saint Mary’s Bachelor of Science program as well as current SMU BSc students. Students must apply to and be admitted to the Medical School Pathway by Saint Mary’s before applying to ACSOM through the pathway.
To apply to ACSOM through the Medical School Pathway, students must successfully complete the first 60 credit hours of the pathway, including required pre-med courses in:
Students must achieve a minimum average GPA of 3.5 with no grade below B+ in the required core pre-med courses.
To move from conditional admission to confirmed acceptance at ACSOM, students must complete all 90 required SMU credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.5, along with all other conditions outlined in their admission offer.
No. Admission decisions are made by ACSOM. Students who successfully complete the first 60 credit hours of the Medical School Pathway and meet the required academic requirements are provided an interview when they apply. Successful applicants selected by ACSOM receive conditional admission, which becomes confirmed once all conditions of the offer are met.
Students applying to ACSOM through the pathway who meet the specified academic requirements do not need to complete the MCAT to apply for or receive admission to ACSOM.
Students may apply after successfully completing the first 60 credit hours of the Medical School Pathway and meeting its academic requirements.
Students need a minimum average GPA of 3.5, with no grade below B+ in the specified core pre-med courses, to apply to ACSOM through the pathway. Students who receive conditional admission must complete all 90 required SMU credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.5 before their acceptance is confirmed.
The pathway is designed so that students complete 90 credit hours at Saint Mary’s before beginning at ACSOM. Students who successfully complete their first year at ACSOM with a minimum final grade of 70% in each course receive 30 SMU transfer credit hours. Students who have met all other SMU degree requirements can then apply to graduate with their Bachelor of Science.
Your future in medicine can start at Saint Mary's. Build a strong foundation in Biology, follow a defined medical school pathway and prepare for your next step toward becoming a physician.