Preprofessional Studies by Tim Stabler

Overview

The program at the Northwest Center is unique and is called the "Alternate Pathway". In addition to lecture and laboratory instruction, students also study actual medical cases. Students study each case for a week with the guidance of a faculty tutor. These problem-based tutorial sessions set the necessary agenda of learning issues for self-directed study ensuring the graduates will become lifelong learners. The program is designed to foster the desired physician's characteristics by achieving a balance between knowledge, skills and attitude. The two year program is divided into six "steps" or curricular units. These units reflect the basic science disciplines yet emphasize a clinical approach to problem solving. The first four steps are completed during the first year. The last two steps comprise the second year of study. The Northwest Center is the only campus in the Indiana University system with this program. Students in this program have done very well with Section One of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), given after the first two years of medical school. The class, as a whole, has done better than the national average, with several students placing above the 90th percentile. Students must pass Section One, Section Two, given after the fourth year of medical school, and Section Three, given during the first year of residency. This exam was formerly known as the National Boards. In addition, students must complete at least one year of residency in order to become licensed physicians.