School of Medicine Clinical Sciences Curriculum
Your clinical studies will begin with the fifth semester studies in Miami, Florida.
Semester 5
12 week-course, "Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine." This course incorporates previously acquired knowledge and skills, and augments them to create a bridge to further learning. It is intended to prepare students for a successful transition to the clinical clerkships through additional patient contact in U.S. clinical facilities. Emphasis is placed on improving techniques of the physical examination and diagnostic skills. Critical thinking will be refined to strengthen the ability to formulate rational clinical hypotheses and differential diagnoses. By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate their improved critical thinking skills, their fund of knowledge on mechanism of disease processes, and their clinical acumen, by making cogent written and oral presentations, in a patient-care setting.
USMLE STEP 1:
After completing Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine, and prior to beginning your clinical clerkships, you will take Step 1 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Semesters 6 -10:
After passing the USMLE Step 1, students are eligible to enter clinical clerkships, in rotation, in specific fields. There are 48 weeks of required clinical core clerkships and 30 weeks of electives.
The required core clerkships are:
Obstetrics/Gynecology – 6 weeks
The core clerkships in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology and psychiatry are the basic areas of medical practice about which all physicians need to be knowledgeable. They are included in the curriculum of every medical school. Participation in these clerkships also provides students with an understanding of the various specializations in medicine.
Electives:
The 30 additional weeks are spent in elective clerkships; these must include eight additional weeks of Medicine, which may be spent in general medicine or in medical subspecialties, and four additional weeks of surgery, which may be spent in general surgery or in surgical subspecialties.
USMLE STEP 2:
After completing the 48 weeks of required clerkships, you will take the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills and Clinical Knowledge. Unlike some U.S. schools of medicine, Ross requires passage of the USMLE Step 2 for graduation.
USMLE STEP 3:
After you graduate from Ross University School of Medicine, and either during or after your residency, you will also take the USMLE Step 3.
