Patient-centered and science-driven

The curriculum for students pursuing an M.D. degree at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is unlike any other, with a focus on patient care and clinical experiences that expand upon classroom learning. Biomedical research, which is also an integral part of the curriculum, will deepen your understanding of medicine.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine has the highest ratio of patients to medical students anywhere in the world, making a variety of clinical experiences readily available. Students will learn about Mayo Clinic's cutting edge medical practice and research initiatives, including individualized healthcare, genomics, regenerative medicine, and artificial intelligence. 

Curriculum at a glance

Our four-year medical school curriculum is divided into three phases, Pre-Clerkship (18 months), Clerkship (18 months), and Post-Clerkship (12 months). This unique schedule allows for you to begin the eight core clinical clerkships early, about halfway through your second year of medical school.

Pre-Clerkship

The Pre-Clerkship phase spans the first 18 months of medical school. During this phase, you will study foundational basic sciences and pathophysiology in a series of academic courses we call "blocks." You will also have dedicated study time to prepare for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1.

Clerkship

The Clerkship phase begins during the last six months of your second year of medical school. During this phase, you will apply your basic science knowledge from the Pre-Clerkship phase to the care of patients in a variety of core disciplines.

Post-Clerkship

The final 12 months of medical school are considered the Post-Clerkship phase, which includes a subinternship, several rotations at Mayo Clinic and affiliate institutions, and courses designed to prepare you for residency, including Transition to Residency and Internship Bootcamp.

Academic Enrichments

Woven throughout the curriculum are numerous opportunities to customize your education to meet your individual goals and aspirations. We call these academic enrichment opportunities, which include individualized experiences in selectives, research, dual degree programs, service learning, and global health. Selectives are unique one to two week experiences allowing students to explore clinical specialties in a low-risk environment, participate in service learning within the community, and pursue thematic rotations that culminate in Distinction Track designation.

Graduate outcomes

As a graduate of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, you will be well-prepared for your next steps. 

By graduation, you will:

• Expand your breadth of medical knowledge and skills needed to be well-versed in many fields of medicine.
• Establish patterns of independence and initiative for lifelong learning.
• Confidently perform more than 30 specific procedures of technical skill.
• Demonstrate the medical knowledge and clinical skills necessary to enter graduate medical training programs.