The bachelor of science degrees the school offers include speech pathology and audiology and medical technology. These are four-year degrees. The doctor of medicine (M.D.) degrees offered include communication sciences and disorders, public health and biomedical sciences. The M.D. is usually earned with four years of study and an internship. Applicants must have completed 90 hours of college courses and have taken the Medical College Admissions Test.
Students and professors at the John A. Burns School of Medicine participate in a variety of medical research studies. Research includes the study of diseases such as diabetes, asthma and AIDS. Research also branches out into psychology, the physiology of Native Hawaiians and cellular studies. Professors who are experts in their fields are in charge of the studies, and students help with the research.
John A. Burns School of Medicine is affiliated with a variety of medical clinics in Hawaii. The professors treat patients and the students can also participate. With the research that takes place at the school, patients receive up-to-date treatment and students learn the latest techniques. This also gives students insight into which medications would help patients best, including medications in the clinical trial phase.
The medical school has an Imi Ho'ola Post-Baccalaureate Program designed to give students from a disadvantaged background a chance at admission. Each year, 10 people are chosen to take part in the program. After successfully completing the program, the student is admitted to the medical school. Most of the chosen students are Hawaiian, Samoan, Filipino, Micronesian or Chamorro. Accepted students must also show they want to help needy populations in Hawaii.