About Boston University School of Medicine

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A leader in medical education and research, Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) resides at the hub of a modern urban academic health center that provides an exceptional environment for students interested in basic science, clinical investigation, or public health- and health services-oriented research.

Located in Boston’s historic South End, the School shares a campus with Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center, and Boston Medical Center, our primary teaching hospital.

Integrated since 1864 and co-educational since 1873, BUSM has almost 700 medical degree students and more than 800 master’s and doctorate degree students of exceptional qualifications and experience who are pursuing the study of medicine and the biomedical sciences.

For more than 130 years, BUSM faculty have consistently ranked among those on the frontiers of scientific and medical knowledge. Clinical faculty who are engaged in treating diverse patient populations provide patient-centered training and basic science faculty are engaged in cutting-edge research.

Educational Programs

BUSM has the distinction of having more pathways to the MD degree than any other medical school in the U.S. The eight pathways include:

MD Students

BUSM draws upon a large and highly qualified applicant pool, with 75 applicants for every seat in the entering class. Our students represent the full range of geographic, cultural, ethnic, and educational diversity of our pluralistic society, and we believe that this diversity contributes to the strength of the experience for all of us. About a third of students take international clinical or research electives. More than 35% of our students engage in research during their time in medical school. In addition, the BUSM class of 2012 had a 97 percent match rate, surpassing the National Residency Matching Program rate of 95 percent.

Faculty

BUSM attracts some of the most distinguished and highly accomplished faculty who are dedicated to the academic and clinical missions of the School. With a faculty-to-student ratio of almost 2:1, students have ample access to faculty knowledge and skills. There are 1,159 faculty members: 946 full-time and 213 part-time. Learn more about our distinguished faculty, including Nobel Prize-winner Osamu Shimomura, PhD, by visiting the Basic Science Departments or Clinical Science Departments pages and viewing faculty listings on the individual department pages.

Graduate Medical Education

BUSM and BMC graduate medical education programs train and prepare physicians for board eligibility through curricula that reflect an appropriate balance of patient care, education, and research. These programs also have:

  • More than 620 residents
  • 44 ACGME-accredited specialties and sub-specialties
  • 32 participating institutions