Matriculation in OUM qualifies you to sit for the three-part United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). Students must pass these examinations in order to become a licensed physician. Step 1 is taken between the completion of pre-clinical courses and the start of clinical rotations to ensure that students have a working knowledge of the basic [...]

American accreditation authorities do not accredit non-US medical schools. OUM is accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), which is an international accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation. In 2020, PAASCU reaccredited OUM for five more years. Since the [...]

The school was founded in 2002, in close collaboration with the Samoan government, so its future is secure. The program began by making sure that the computer-assisted curriculum worked well before opening it to large numbers of students. The school deliberately started small and currently has 257 students enrolled worldwide. OUM is selective about the [...]

Yes, in fact, OUM's Samoan scholarship recipients are required to serve the country's health system for four years. Citizens from other countries wishing to practice medicine in Samoa must meet the country's immigration requirements and successfully apply to the Samoan Ministry of Health. In fact, being eligible to practice in a foreign medical school’s home [...]

All students matriculating to OUM after 2011 are required to complete at least one four-week clinical rotation in Samoa or American Samoa.  Students should apply for the Samoa rotation at least six months in advance through their regional dean.  Other than the required rotation, it is not necessary for the student to attend class in [...]

OUM sponsors monthly “Meet the Student” and “Meet the Graduate” sessions for prospective students to interact live with current students and graduates.  Check the [SPECIAL EVENTS LINK] page for details on the next session.  Though our students are extremely busy with their studies, work and family demands, it may be possible to arrange a private conversation, [...]

OUM has produced 128 graduates. Those physicians are currently completing residency training or already practicing primarily in Australia, United States, New Zealand, and Samoa.

OUM graduates have done well on the registration/licensure examinations for their respective countries. Students have passed either the USMLE Steps 1,2, and 3, the Australian Medical Council exams, or the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREZ) depending  on where they plan to practice. With origins in 54 countries, the majority of OUM students intend to practice [...]

OUM’s flexible program appeals to a wide variety of students—from recent college graduates, to working professionals interested in changing careers. The distance-learning component is attractive to many nurse practitioners, nurses, chiropractors, physical therapists, physician assistants, pharmacists, paramedics, respiratory therapists, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals. In addition, OUM has some students with non-science backgrounds such as [...]

OUM has been accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities, an agency recognized by the US Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation. The University is now in the process of meeting requirements to gain approval for loan eligibility for its students. Students should check banks and [...]