West Virginia University School of Medicine

West Virginia University School of Medicine Academics

4-year semitraditional. First and second years: Introductory and advanced basic sciences. Student is introduced to community medicine and clinical medicine, including the foundations for histories and physicals. The first-year basic science courses are integrated, and have common test methods and problembasedlearningclinicalapplications.Thirdyear:Thetraditional clerkships, including neurology and family medicine. Fourth year: This year is partially structured and partially elective. Five months are devoted to a required rotation, 2 months involve rural primary care, 1 month in critical care/anesthesia, 1 month in surgery or a surgical subspecialty, and 1 month in internal medicine, family medicine, or a pediatric subinternship.The balance of the program is elective. Each student, in consultation with an advisor, develops the program best suited to attain his or her goals. The Office of Student Services has a list of approved electives. Third- and fourth-year experiences are primarily based in Ruby Memorial Hospital or Eastern Charleston Division, with some approved rotations at other institutions. During the third and fourth years, students spend a minimum total of 3 months in rural clinic locations.