Our challenging programs are modeled after the same system-based integrated curriculum established in the United States. All courses are taught by distinguished and highly credentialed physicians from across the U.S., who are professionally and personally dedicated to our students’ success. That’s because when our students excel, Xavier excels.
All classrooms and labs are outfitted with state-of-the-science equipment. Human cadavers are utilized for anatomical dissections. From “day 1,” students gain hands-on clinical experience at the local hospital in Aruba. Our concentrated academics and clinical studies emphasize our primary goal: Preparing students for Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).
Then, as a prerequisite to enter a residency training program in the United States, all U.S., Canadian, and international medical graduates must pass the USMLE Step 2 Communication Skills examination (USMLE Step 2 CS). Most medical schools in the U.S. and Canada use standardized/simulated patients and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) to prepare students for the skills that are tested on this exam. Xavier is one of few schools in the Caribbean to establish a structured Standardized Patient (SP) program and OSCE laboratory to train its students for Step 2 CS, beginning with the first semester in the medical program.
Faculty
Our highly regarded faculty includes professors and lecturers from around the world who represent a broad swath of academic and clinical global expertise. Each student benefits richly from the deep experience and diverse perspectives of these instructors.
Pre-Med Program/Curriculum
Xavier offers a 5.5-year program for students who wish to enter medical school straight out of high school. This gives students a 1.5-year jumpstart on pre-med courses that will accelerate their entry into Xavier’s medical program — upon completion, of course, of all other pre-med requirements.
Basic Science
Students complete the first part of their education over the course of two years on the Xavier campus in Aruba. Through Basic Science, they construct the essential foundation upon which to build a successful and fruitful medical career.
Clinical Science
Our clinical rotations are held in world-renowned hospitals and teaching medical centers across the U.S. During these clinical rotations, students work directly with doctors and hospital staff to conduct physical examinations, take patient histories, present cases, and attend workshops, conferences, and rounds. These are the indispensable building blocks to constructing a successful clinical career.
