MD Curriculum

The 23-month preclinical phase guides each medical student towards success in the clinical clerkships of Phase II and on the USMLE Step 1 exam. Foundational science content is organized into organ system blocks, allowing the integration of normal structure and function with pathophysiology.  Intersessions called WISE weeks bookmark the beginning, middle, and end of Phase I. WISE weeks focus on student Wellness, content Integration, Step I preparation and Education about learning and test-taking strategies. Clinical reasoning and clinical skills are taught in longitudinal courses that integrate with the relevant foundational science. A practical immersion experience (PIE) and continuity clinic are opportunities to apply foundational science, clinical reasoning, and clinical skills to patient care. Professional identity formation begins within the context of the longitudinal courses, continuity clinic, and PIE.

The 12-month clinical clerkship phase prepares students for residency and for success on the USMLE Step 2 exam. It is comprised of seven required clinical clerkships: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Surgery.  Each of the Clerkships along with the ongoing Doctoring course, support learning in patient care, teamwork, and professional identity formation.  Specialty exploration experience (SEE) allows students to experience specialties outside of the core clerkships.

The final 12 months provide opportunities for students to further develop their skills and knowledge of patient care, broaden their understanding of medicine and its specialties, and explore fields in which they may wish to pursue careers. It includes clinical and non-clinical electives, a required Sub-Internship, ICU rotation, Comprehensive Ambulatory Care experience, and Medicine in New Mexico, a community-based clinical experience.