James Cook School of Medicine

South Seas University(SSU) is an independent institution of higher education located in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, in the South Pacific.

SSU is the first University established in the Cook Islands.  SSU received its registration as an independent degree-granting tertiary education institution in all areas of academic and professional fields, including but not limited to agriculture, business, education, law, and medicine, on March 5^th, 1999, by the Cook Islands government.

MISSION STATEMENT

SSU is committed to being a leading international post-secondary educational institution, providing opportunities for students to develop their creativity and acquire skills and experience in unique, innovative fields of specialization.

SSU’s academic and cutting-edge technology-oriented education offers programs that reflect the changing demands of business, industry, health care, and the environment.

ACCREDITATION

SSU  is registered with the Cook Islands Government as an independent degree-granting institution of higher education.  The James Cook School of Medicine (JCSM) at South Seas University is registered with the World Health Organization.  SSU students and graduates are eligible to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Passing all parts of USLE is required for certification by the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).  All Foreign Medical Graduates / International Medical Graduates entering the Post-Graduate Medical Residency Training program in the United States must be certified by ECFMG.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited or recognized post-secondary institution is highly desirable. However, a student with a minimum of 90 college-level credits may apply.  The following courses, or their equivalent, must be completed before entering the medical program:

• Biological Sciences (with laboratory)
• General Chemistry (with laboratory)
• Organic Chemistry (with laboratory)
• Physics (with laboratory)
• College Mathematics
• English and Social Science

Students missing any of the premedical requirements may still apply.  They may be required to take the premedical courses before admission to the medical program.

DOCTOR of MEDICINE (MD) DEGREE PROGRAM

LENGTH of STUDY

The medicine program is on a trimester term system. There are three trimesters of terms offered per calendar year.  Each term begins in January, May, and September.  An academic term is fifteen (15) weeks in duration.  The formats of study in SSU’s Medicine program can be completed (when taken continuously, as offered) in nine (9) terms given over thirty-six (36) months.

CURRICULUM

Basic Medical Sciences

Clinical Clerkship Rotation

5th Semester

6th Semester