There are 133 Doctor of Medicine (MD) programs in the United States accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. This committee is a partnership between the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accreditation body for medical education programs. The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is the only accredited medical school in the state as of 2011.
The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is on the north campus of the university in Albuquerque. Its location gives students easy access to university's educational, recreational and cultural offerings. The medical school's rural medicine program was ranked second in 2010 by "U.S. News & World Report" survey of best graduate schools, a ranking it has held since 1996. The survey also ranked the school 10th for its family medicine curriculum and 33rd for primary care curriculum out of 146 U.S. medical schools.
Approximately 100 students are accepted each year. Although the university accepts students from all areas of academic study, they must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0, complete the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and demonstrate some clinical experience. Prospective students must complete university-level courses in biology, general and organic chemistry, and biochemistry before commencing studies at the medical school. Applicants must also demonstrate residency in New Mexico for at least one year or show that they have strong ties to the state. Although the program focuses on accepting students who are residents of New Mexico and applicants who have links to the state, exceptions may be made for students living outside the United States and students from participating states of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education where medical schools do not exist (as of January 2011, these states are Montana and Wyoming).
The School of Medicine offers a doctor of medicine (MD) program the focuses on innovative, evidence-based curriculum. Courses are taught from biologic, behavioral and population perspectives, and hands-on training is provided in clinical and laboratory skills. The medical school also offers several graduate programs in medicine and health sciences, including programs in dental hygiene, emergency medical services, medical laboratory sciences, nuclear medicine imaging, occupational therapy, physical therapy and radiologic sciences. The medical school also offers a physician assistant program and doctorate programs in biochemistry and molecular biology.