How Long Is Medical School? How Many Semesters Does It Have?

Are you considering becoming a physician? One of the first questions you’ll ask is: how long is medical school? At Caribbean Medical University the MD program runs for four years (one year more if pre-med science is included).

If you’ve ever asked: „how long is med school in the US?” this article covers the answer – plus a closer look at CMU’s program and why it’s a wise choice for future doctors.

How Long Is Medical School in the U.S.?

Medical school in the U.S. typically takes four years.

Students spend the first two years studying foundational subjects, such as anatomy and pharmacology and then spend the next two years completing clinical rotations in hospitals. This generally breaks down into five trimesters (each three months long) of academic coursework, followed by six trimesters of direct patient care.

In some cases, students complete a one-year pre-medical program before starting med school, adding an extra year to the overall medical school length.

CMU’s Medical Program Structure – How Many Years Do We Have?

If you’ve been asking yourself how many semesters in medical school it takes and when to enroll, CMU makes it simple. Our year-round entry points – January, May, and September – make it easier to start when it suits you, thanks to our highly flexible admissions policy.

Moreover, our medical school doesn’t require the MCAT for admission. Instead, we offer student-friendly requirements and remain flexible about them.

Let’s take a look at how the program is organized!

Pre‑Med (Optional – If You Need Prerequisites)

• Duration – 3 trimesters (16 weeks each).
• Purpose – designed as an entry point to medical school, this program supports students – either recent high school graduates or those with fewer than 90 college credits – who haven’t qualified for the MD Program.

Basic Medical Sciences

• 5 trimesters covering foundational subjects.

Clinical Medical Sciences

• 6 trimesters of clinical rotations in hospitals.

Total timeline:

• Without pre‑med – 4 years (11 trimesters)
• With pre‑med – 5 years (14 trimesters)

If you are interested, read more about pre-med majors!

How Long Does Basic Medical Sciences Take?

CMU’s basic science curriculum is divided into five trimesters over the course of about 18 months, designed to offer an immersive and well-rounded medical education. Each trimester lasts approximately 16 weeks, enabling students to thoroughly study essential topics.

During these trimesters, students are immersed in demanding courses that cover critical medical foundations, including:

• Gross Anatomy & Embryology.
• Biostatistics & Epidemiology.
• Pharmacology.
• Microbiology & Immunology.

These areas of study are key to grasping how the human body functions and how various diseases affect it.

How Long Does Clinical Medical Sciences Take?

Your clinical training consists of six trimesters (72 weeks total), each lasting approximately 12 weeks, with rotations held at the five CMU SOM Medical Centers across the U.S.

• 48 weeks of core rotations (internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family practice etc.).
• 24 weeks of elective/sub‑internship experiences.

These rotations take place at CMU-affiliated hospitals across the U.S., offering practical exposure in accredited settings.

So, how many years is medical school? Technically, you’ll be in school for 2–3 years, but the entire program takes about 4–5 years to complete.

Semester Breakdown at CMU

How long is medical school in the Caribbean? At CMU, it can be clearly mapped out.

Students who require additional academic preparation can begin with a three-semester Pre-Med course. Afterward, the core medical curriculum continues with five trimesters (approximately 15 months) of Basic Sciences, followed by six trimesters (approximately 18 months) of Clinical Sciences training in partnered hospitals.

Thanks to rolling admissions in:

• January,
• May,
• and September,

students have the freedom to start when they’re ready and stay on a steady path to becoming physicians.

CMU’s Program vs. Other Medical Schools

CMU’s program doesn’t differ much from other U.S. medical schools – any differences actually benefit students, like a lower admissions threshold, more affordable tuition, and a flexible three-semester structure that lets students start when it’s most convenient.

Despite any differences, the academic training and career preparation here are just as strong as at U.S. schools. Take our USMLE Step 1 pass rates: 88.9% in 2016 and 92% in 2017 on first attempts, according to ECFMG/FAIMER reports.

How Long Is the Residency?

After completing medical school, most graduates enter a residency program, which lasts between three and seven years, depending on their specialty.

For example:

• Internal medicine – 3 years.
• Surgery – 5 years.
• Specialized fields (neurosurgery, ophthalmology) – up to 7 years.

So, how long is medical school and residency? Medical school takes about 4–5 years to complete, followed by a residency that lasts between 3–7 years.

Why Choose CMU?

Several Caribbean medical schools have been launched in recent years, making it easier and more cost-effective to begin studying medicine. CMU is one of the more prominent institutions, and our diploma is recognized in both the U.S. and Canada, where students are eligible to sit for their final licensing exams.

So, why choose CMU?

1. Flexible admissions – multiple start dates.
2. Competitive tuition – lower cost per trimester than most U.S. schools.
3. U.S. clinical exposure – training in accredited hospitals.
4. International recognition – U.S. and Canadian licensure pathways available.

Ready to Start?

Since you’re aware of how long medical school takes, if you’re willing to commit the next several years to becoming a medical professional, our program is a great fit.

Our expert faculty continually update their knowledge through conferences and professional development programs – and they’re fully committed to passing that knowledge on to you.

Take the first step toward your future in healthcare – APPLY today and join us.