Pathway agreement allows eligible Laurier students to enter American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine program

July 12, 2022
For Immediate Release

This media release was edited on Aug. 4, 2022.

WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University has entered a five-year pathway agreement with American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) that will allow eligible Laurier graduates to study in AUC School of Medicine's Doctor of Medicine degree program.

The agreement will give Laurier graduates who meet AUC School of Medicine’s program requirements direct access to an admission interview with the medical school. Graduates of AUC School of Medicine have the option to write exams that allow them to practice medicine in Canada, the UK or the United States. Students who have graduated from Laurier within the past five years are eligible to apply to the program, meaning the agreement will also benefit Laurier alumni.

“This strategic partnership will provide Laurier students a direct pathway to medical school,” said Laurier Provost and Vice-President: Academic Anthony Vannelli. “Partnerships like the one between Laurier and AUC School of Medicine enhance Laurier's program offerings and provide more options for students who want to pursue further educational opportunities after graduation from Laurier.”

Eligible Laurier students – who will have the opportunity to apply to AUC School of Medicine three times each year – must meet all requirements for admission to AUC School of Medicine. AUC School of Medicine maintains a campus on the island of St. Maarten and a program site in Lancashire, UK, as well as an affiliate network of clinical training sites in the U.S. and UK. AUC School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM, www.accredmed.org), which is the accreditor used by the country of St. Maarten. The United States Department of Education, via the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), reviews the standards that countries use to accredit medical schools. The NCFMEA has determined that the ACCM’s accreditation standards are comparable to those set by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), which accredits medical education programs in the United States.

“I am excited that this partnership opens pathways into medical education for students taking many of our science programs and provides our graduates with Laurier-specific scholarships and benefits to support them as they enter medical school,” said Laurier Faculty of Science Dean Anthony J. Clarke.

“This pathway has the potential to graduate much-needed medical professionals with ties to our region,” said Bruce McKay, Dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. “It aligns nicely with Laurier Brantford undergraduate programs like Community Health, but ultimately this exciting option is available to any Laurier student who successfully completes the prerequisites and meets all admission requirements.”

Laurier students accepted into the AUC School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine degree program may be eligible to receive scholarship benefits including the International or Canadian Student Scholarships, each with an 80,000 USD one-time award distributed across semesters one to 10; the Laurier Partner Scholarship, a one-time 7,500 USD award for the first semester of enrollment; and first-semester housing credits.

“AUC School of Medicine is committed to opening up educational pathways for deserving and qualified students who are globally minded and capable of delivering extraordinary care to a diverse patient population,” said Dean of AUC School of Medicine Pedro Delgado, M.D. “We are proud to partner with institutions like Laurier which share this desire to help students further their educational journey by providing access to these pathways.”

For more information about the pathway agreement between Laurier and AUC School of Medicine, please visit wlu.ca/news.

ABOUT WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to academic excellence. Laurier’s holistic approach to learning integrates innovative programming with hands-on experience outside the classroom to ensure Laurier graduates are not only ready for the future but are inspired to leave their mark on the world. Community is at the heart of all we do. Laurier inspires students to engage in campus life and the broader community, leading to high levels of student satisfaction and engaged alumni who carry the Laurier legacy throughout the world. As a community of researchers, leaders and educators, Laurier builds knowledge that serves society and creates connections that have a lasting impact. Learn more about Laurier’s more than 20,000 students in nine faculties in Waterloo, Brantford and Kitchener at wlu.ca.

ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF THE CARIBBEAN

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC School of Medicine) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. AUC School of Medicine’s mission is to train tomorrow’s physicians, whose service to their communities and their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement. Founded in 1978, AUC School of Medicine has more than 7,500 graduates, many of whom work in primary care or underserved areas. Dedicated to developing physicians with a lifelong commitment to patient-centered care, AUC School of Medicine embraces collaboration, inclusion, and community service. With a campus in St. Maarten, affiliated teaching hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom, and internationally recognized faculty, AUC School of Medicine has a diverse medical education program for today’s globally minded physician. For more information visit aucmed.edu, follow AUC School of Medicine on Twitter (@aucmed), Instagram (@aucmed_edu) and Facebook (@aucmed).