Our History

In 1999, Saint James School of Medicine was approved by the Federal Government of the Netherlands Antilles, and the university became operational in 2001. The project is a combined one, bringing together the island government of Bonaire and a consortium of highly experienced medical educators and physicians from universities and colleges in the United States and Europe. The basic science and clinical rotation programs are fully compatible with US medical school programs, with special reference to the requirements of USMLE.

The Saint James School of Medicine Anguilla campus welcomed its first students in January 2010, following ten years of successful education on the Bonaire campus. SJSM has grown tremendously since its inception and currently has more than 250 students across two campuses, with more than 200 students carrying out their clinical clerkships in the United States.

Our Mission

The mission of Saint James School of Medicine is to help motivated students realize their dream of a medical career, irrespective of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. We use innovative teaching methods to shape the minds and spirits of our students and help transform them into compassionate healers of the human body and mind.

Saint James School of Medicine is an accredited Caribbean medical school providing an affordable medical education to students throughout the world. Offering both a pre-medical program and an MD program, the curriculum at Saint James prepares students for the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE). As the demand for qualified physicians escalates; medical schools limit the number of students and the cost of medical education increases Saint James School of Medicine fulfills a vital need in the community.

We are committed to training students to think, to solve problems, and to apply their knowledge to the care and well-being of their patients and society. It is our belief that a high quality medical education should be affordable and accessible to everyone.

Our Programs

Premedical

Premedical Program
The pre-medical program (pre-med) is an intensive four-semester (16-month) program that creates a strong foundation, thoroughly preparing students for entry into the medical degree (MD) program. This program was designed to address the needs of students who do not fit the conventional eligibility criteria for a MD program.

The pre-med curriculum covers undergraduate level Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Applied Mathematics. Pre-med students who successfully complete all courses within the curriculum and maintain an attendance of 80% will be allowed to proceed to the medical school’s MD program.

Students are accepted into the pre-med program once a year in September.

Premedical Curriculum
The pre-medical curriculum is designed to provide students with the foundation of skills and knowledge required to handle the rigorous course of study they will experience in the MD program at the medical school. The Saint James School of Medicine’s elective pre-medical curriculum is designed to correspond to the USMLE Step One format.

The curriculum is taught in English and offered by highly competent and experienced medical educators.

Semester 1: Physics I (5 credits), Chemistry I (5 credits), Biology I (5 credits), Biology II (5 credits), Ethics (4 credits)

Semester 2: Physics II (5 credits), Organic Chemistry I (5 credits), Biology III (5 credits), Biology IV (5 credits), Psychology I (4 credits)

Semester 3: Physics III (5 credits), Chemistry II (5 credits), Biology V (5 credits) Biology VI (5 credits), Psychology II (4 credits)

Semester 4: Organic Chemistry II (5 credits), Chemistry III (5 Credits), Biology VII (5 credits), Biology VIII (5 credits), Biology IX (5 credits)

Basic Science MD Program

The first four semesters of the MD program are designed to build a strong foundation in medicine. The curriculum offers lectures and lab-based teaching at the Bonaire campus. All courses are designed in the USMLE format, and study is supplemented with hands on clinical training at the local hospital whenever possible. Small class sizes provide ample opportunity for students to interact with their professors on a personal level, in addition to the classroom setting.

Basic Science Curriculum

Semester 1: Histology (10 credits), Gross Anatomy and Embryology (12 credits), Medical & Legal Ethics (4 credits)

Semester 2: Physiology (12 credits), Biochemistry (10 credits), Neurosciences (8 credits), Genetics (4 credits), RHM I (Research in Health and Medicine) (1 credit)

Semester 3: Pathology I (10 credits), Microbiology (10 credits), Pharmacology (10 credits), Medical Psychology (4 credits), Research in Health and Medicine II (xx credits)

Semester 4: Pathology II (10 credits), Epidemiology and Biostatistics (4 Credits), Physical Diagnosis & Clinical Medicine (9 credits), Research in Health and Medicine III

Clinical Science Program

The last six semesters of the MD program, the Clinical Sciences, are designed to prepare the student to function effectively in a clinical setting. Students participate in patient care while rotating through various medical specialties in the hospitals. Training includes physical examination, laboratory analysis, case presentations, clinical workshops and conferences. The student receives personalized guidance by the clinical faculty and develops the skills and knowledge essential to their residency years.

The 96 weeks of clinical training are divided into 48 weeks of core clerkships and 48 weeks of elective rotations.

Immediately following the Basic Sciences, the first 16 weeks of the Clinical Sciences course is offered as a block course called the Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine. It is offered in Chicago at an affiliated hospital and consists of eight weeks of intensive preparation and review for the USMLE Step 1, followed by eight weeks of introductory concepts in clinical medicine, including rotations through the various departments.

Clinical Science Curriculum

Core Rotations Duration
Medicine 12 weeks
Surgery 12 weeks
OB-GYN 6 weeks
Pediatrics 6 weeks
Psychiatry 6 weeks
Family Practice 6 weeks
TOTAL 48 weeks

Elective Rotations
Allergy and Immunology Neurology
Cardiology Occupational Medicine
Critical Care Medicine Oncology
Dermatology Ophthalmology
Emergency Medicine Orthopedics
Endocrinology Psychiatry
Family Practice Pulmonology
Gastroenterology Radiology
General Medicine Rehabilitation Medicine
Hematology Rheumatology
Infectious Diseases Surgical subspecialties
Nephrology Urology
Note: This is a partial list of possible elective rotations.
TOTAL 48 weeks

Tuition

Tuition fees at Saint James School of Medicine are some of the most affordable and competitive among Caribbean medical schools today. The majority of our affiliated hospitals also train students from medical schools in the US, and even from schools elsewhere in the Caribbean, where tuition costs double or triple that at St James.

This means that you get the same high quality of medical education without the financial burden of an enormous student loan debt. This enables our graduates to enter their residency and future careers truly focused on the practice of medicine, rather than the pursuit of money to pay off their student loans.

Other fees

Enrollment fee of $2,000*

*Non-Refundable dollars at the time of admission
*Enrollment fee includes $1000 Reservation and a $1000 Administrative Surcharge Fee.

Tuition: Other Expenses

Planning your non-tuition expenses during Medical school
Basic Sciences in Bonaire

Books and Stationary
4 semesters x $500 per semester**	$2,000
Personal Expenses
House/Apartment Rent
16 months x $500 per month***	$12,800
Airfare
1 round trip***	$1,200
Clinical Science Program
Books and Stationary
6 semesters x $900 per semester**	$5,400

** Books and stationary costs may vary each year.
*** The above rates are estimates.

All Tuition and Fees are subject to change without notice.
All students enrolled in the basic sciences program are responsible for their books, transportation, house rent and living expenses.

Transfer Students

Students transferring from another accredited institution may be eligible to receive credit for the classes they have already completed. In some cases, a student may finish the program ahead of the scheduled semester. If this occurs, the student is expected to pay the full tuition fee for the semester, if attendance was two weeks or more.

Tuition Payment and Refunds

The Following fees are non refundable:

• APPLICATION FEE
• Reservation fee
• Administrative surcharge

Refunds of tuition will be determined by the accounting department as follows.

First week of class - 80% refund
Second week of class - 60% refund
Third week of class - 40% refund
Beyond the 3rd week - No refund

Prices subject to change without notice

Late fees of up to $400 may be assessed for tuition that is not paid in full on or before the due date.

Students who default on payment may not register for classes. Official transcripts will not be issued until all dues have been paid in full.

Financial Assistance

All financial assistance programs have varying features and application procedures. To find out more about available financial assistance please contact our Financial Aid Office.

United States Residents
Assistance is now available to United States Residents, please click here for more information.

Canadian Students:

Student Credit Lines
Student credit lines are available for qualified students who are citizens and residents of Canada. Professional student credit lines offer up to CAN $150,000 and have easy application processes, deferred payments on the principle while in-school and attractive repayment options. School code assigned to Saint James School of Medicine in Canada is QUWH.

For details about any of the above programs, please contact our financial aid office.

Transfer Info

The Saint James School of Medicine’s admissions committee, dependent on the following conditions, evaluates each transfer or advanced standing medical school application on an individual basis.

1. The applicant must be transferring from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools published by the World Health Organization.
2. Transfer credits are granted for successfully completed coursework only.
3. The applicant must be in good academic standing.
4. Transfer is subject to availability of space.
5. Transfer students must meet all documentation requirements of a new student.
6. Official transcripts from all schools attended must be provided.
7. Students wishing to transfer directly to the clinical rotation program will stand a better chance of acceptance if they have passed the USMLE Step 1.

Applicants who have undertaken prior studies in health sciences (osteopaths, podiatrists, dentists, physician assistants, nursing) are not eligible for advanced standing. Health professionals who wish to advance their skills and earn a medical degree are advised to enroll in the basic science program.