Introduction
The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest
medical school in the South. There are 5 other medical
education institutions besides the College of Medicine,
namely colleges of Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies,
Health Professions, Nursing, and Pharmacy. The institution was founded in 1824 by the Medical Society of
South Carolina, a Charleston medical organization, as
the Medical College of South Carolina. In 1913 ownership of the school was transferred to the state of South
Carolina, committing it to provide financial support as
a public institution for health education.
Academics
4-year semimodern. First and second years: The curriculum during these years provides basic science
concepts and problem-solving strategies, develops skills
for taking adequate histories and physicals, and introduces students to the role of a physician in society.
Emphasisisplacedonsmall-groupinstruction,withindependent, self-directed learning. Third year: Clinical core
consists of 8 weeks of internal medicine, ob/gyn, pediatrics, family medicine and surgery, and 4-weeks each of
clerkships. Emphasis is placed on the development of
clinical, interpersonal, and professional competence.
Duringthefourthyear:Studentstakeaminimumofeight
4-week rotations. The student is expected to take a clinicalexternshipandonemontheachofambulatorysurgery,
psychiatry, internal medicine, and emergency medical/
critical care. The remaining three blocks are elective and
can be taken at approved sites throughout the state and
country.
Unique Programs
Minority admissions: The college has an active recruitment program directed by the College of Medicine
Office of Diversity. It also conducts an 8-week Summer
Health Careers Program for upper-level minority
undergraduates matriculating in South Carolina colleges. Other degree programs: Currently, there are four
combined degrees: MD-PhD (MSTP program), MDMHA, MD-MBA in conjunction with the Citadel,
MD-MPH, in conjunction with the University of South
Carolina.
Admissions
While there are no specific course requirements, adequate performance on the MCATpresupposes exposure
to college-level basic premedical science courses.
Students are advised to pursue any college studies that
they find intellectually challenging and satisfying.
Transfer and advanced standing: Due to space limitations in the upper classes, transfers considered only for
special situations.
Students
A merit grading system is used. Passing Step 1 of the
USMLE is required for advancement to the third year.
Step 2 of the USMLE is required for graduation.
Teaching: The college is in the center of a 45-acre medical complex. Clinical teaching is at the Medical
University Hospital (510 beds),VAHospital (431 beds),
Charleston Memorial Hospital (175 beds), Children’s
Hospital (150 beds), and Psychiatric Institute (47 beds).
Library: The MUSC Library is located in the
Education/Library Building. The library’s on-line system offers access to a collection of more than 230,000
volumes, over 1700 electronic full-text journals, and
various other resources and databases. Several Ovid
databases, including MEDLINE and Current Contents,
offer access to the content of thousands of journals with
click-through links to full-text articles.
