The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is a prestigious medical school with a rigorous admissions process. With an average GPA of 3.85 and an average MCAT score of 510, the school seeks highly qualified candidates who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong foundation in the sciences. In-state applicants have an interview rate of 16%, while out-of-state applicants have a lower rate at 3%.

To be considered for admission to the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.68, with a science GPA (BCPM) of 3.59. Additionally, applicants must have a competitive MCAT score of at least 506. Meeting these academic criteria is essential for being a competitive candidate for admission to the school.

The admission process for the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine involves submitting a completed application, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Qualified applicants will then be invited for an interview, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their passion for medicine and demonstrate why they are a good fit for the school. Admission decisions are made based on a holistic review of the applicant’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.

Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Acceptance Rate

The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine has an average GPA of 3.85 and an average MCAT score of 510. The acceptance rates for interviews are 16% for in-state applicants and 3% for out-of-state applicants.

Quality of Education

The high average GPA and MCAT scores indicate that students admitted to the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine are academically strong and capable of handling the rigors of medical school. With competitive acceptance rates, the school ensures that only top-tier students are selected for interviews, leading to a high level of academic excellence within the student body.

Statistic	Value
Average GPA	3.85
Average MCAT Score	510
In-State Interview Rate	16%
Out-of-State Interview Rate	3%

Medical Education Program Highlights

• The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (PLFSOM) educational program features a highly integrated preclerkship curriculum in which the foundational sciences are taught in the context of common clinical presentations. The program deliberately incorporates principles of adult education, including learning in the context of intended application, expert-guided deliberate practice, protected unscheduled time, and frequent formative assessment and feedback.
• Preclerkship phase instruction occurs in systems-based units, with each week following a clinically focused experiential learning cycle.¹
• Each week a motivating context for learning is established via a common clinical presentation and diagnostic scheme. Subsequent content is derived from the foundational concepts required to “work” the diagnostic scheme. The diagnostic scheme is also applied in a medical skills session, including a standardized patient encounter. Each week culminates in case-based small-group discussions that integrate newly acquired knowledge, skills, and early diagnostic reasoning.
• A required 2-year Spanish language curriculum is fully integrated with the clinical presentation framework.
• The traditional core clerkships occur in three 16-week blocks consisting of set clerkship pairs. The pairings facilitate integration of didactic and practice-based experiences designed to emphasize the interdependence of the specialties.

Curricular governance is centralized, as is provision of academic information technology, including web-based content and assessment applications. These functions, plus program accreditation, management of the clerkship phase, and comprehensive program coordination, are managed by the school’s Office of Medical Education (OME).

Education Staff

• The OME is led by an associate dean for medical education and 2 assistant deans. Staff include: a director of accreditation and educational program improvement, a finance and administration director (shared with the academic Department of Medical Education), an associate director for assessment and evaluation, a senior analyst, an instructional design specialist, and 3 program coordinators.
• The OME is supported by a dedicated academic information technology team consisting of an associate director and 3 senior analysts.
• The Department of Medical Education is a transdisciplinary, mission-based academic department responsible for the operational management of the preclerkship curriculum (and constituting the school’s Preclerkship Phase Committee). It consists of 26 full-time and 6 part-time basic scientist and clinician–medical educators, and 15 program support staff. Faculty appointed to the Department of Medical Education generally commit 80% effort to undergraduate medical education.
• Operational management of the clerkship phase curriculum is led by an assistant dean for clinical instruction, supported by 29 clinical department faculty with subsidized roles as faculty clerkship/course directors or assistant directors and 15 program support staff.

Faculty Development and Support in Education

Professional development

The institutional Office of Faculty Development centrally manages programs to enhance faculty skills as educators and teachers, including:

• An annual 8-month course for junior and midcareer faculty, focusing on teaching strategies, assessment, clinical simulation, and online learning technologies
• A comprehensive faculty mentoring program that pairs trained senior faculty mentors with early- to midcareer faculty members
• Quarterly “Need to Know” grand rounds to provide practical teaching skills
• A community preceptors’ development program

The role of teaching in promotion and tenure

Faculty requirements for tenure and promotion are based on specific accomplishments in 4 areas: teaching, scholarship, clinical service, and academically related public service. Faculty may designate teaching as their primary category. Accomplishments are rated per established guidelines to be level 1 (locally recognized), level 2 (regionally recognized), or level 3 (nationally recognized). Promotion and tenure decisions follow an algorithm based on the level of accomplishment in each of the 4 performance domains

14 Best Medical Schools in Texas

Medical schools in Texas are ranked among the top medical schools in the United States. Because medical studies are so intensive and involve so much clinical participation, most of the coursework is classroom-based and must be pursued on a campus in the Lone Star State. After you graduate from the basic four-year medical school program, you’ll have the option of pursuing a clinical internship and residency that will prepare you to become a specialist in cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, psychiatry, or another professional sphere. Physicians in Texas earn $237,890 a year on average. Learn about the 14 best medical schools in Texas for 2023 by reading the reviews below.

Below Are The 14 Best Medical Schools In Texas

1. Baylor College of Medicine – Houston

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 When you are looking for the best medical schools in Texas, Baylor College of Medicine certainly can be counted among the top. At Baylor, you will master skills at the Texas Medical Center, which also happens to be the world’s largest medical complex. With the rigors of medical study, you need a supportive environment to flourish, and here, right from orientation, until you graduate, your academic and career goals are well supported by a dedicated faculty. Also, its thriving student community that comes from diverse backgrounds creates a collaborative learning environment where you rather feel at home. Furthermore, Baylor sets you up for success with its integrated learning approach and broad-ranging clinical experiences across various specialties.

Program Details:

 This M.D. program is a four-year coursework that takes you through foundational sciences, clinical rotations, simulated learning, and interprofessional learning experiences. Most students complete this program within 46 months, however, if need be, you can stretch the duration of the program for up to 72 months. Typically, you start the program with 18 months of foundational science courses before progressing to the clinical curriculum. The foundation sciences curriculum includes didactic courses, simulated learning, and direct patient care experiences. Unlike other medical schools in Texas that provide patient contact only in the clinical phase, here you can enhance understanding by applying the medical knowledge to practice immediately. The foundational sciences, apart from educating you on core topics also offer the opportunity of choosing electives from almost 300-different course options. After completing the foundational sciences curriculum and passing the NBME exam you will advance to the clinical phase, during which you complete core clinical clerkships, a sub-internship, selectives, and electives. Also, you must earn credits for CABS, DDASH, APEX and pass the USMLE and BSM CPX exams to finally graduate from this medical school.

Admission Requirements:

 This medical school in Texas accepts only highly deserving students and seeks candidates with a high level of intellect, leadership qualities, and the keenness of pursuing a career in medicine. Besides, to be eligible you must have completed at least 90 undergraduate semester hours. Also, you must take the MCAT test and the online CASPer test. Baylor also requires you to submit letters of recommendation and complete a supplemental application.

Key Highlights

• Baylor offers active service members, veterans, and dependents education and financial benefits to make a seamless transition into student life.
• One of the accredited medical schools in Texas, here you can customize your education by choosing any one of the several pathways either in medical research, global health, underserved care, health policy, medical ethics, space medicine, and genetics & genomics. Should you choose to enroll in any of the pathways, you must complete one additional year of education, besides the four years of medical school, making it a total five-year program.
• Also, if you aspire to widen career avenues, here you can opt for any of the dual degrees in M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.B.A., M.D./M.P.H, or M.D./J.D and gain expertise in two complementing fields by spending lesser time and money.

2. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School – Dallas

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 Have you always dreamt of a career in medicine? If you are keen on enrolling in one of the best medical schools in Texas, then you may want to know about the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Training clinical leaders since 1943, the college has stayed abreast with the changing dynamics of the medical field. Known for its high-quality and well-rounded education, the college also offers affordable tuition costs as compared to other medical schools in the Southwest region. Here, you can expect exceptional clinical training at the nation’s top public hospitals with almost 80% of the clinical training taking place at Parkland Hospital. Every year, the college produces 230 future-ready physicians who join its more than 11,500 physician graduates, working at the world’s top medical facilities.

Program Details:

 This is a four-year program that integrates basic sciences and clinical disciplines. To earn your degree, this medical school in Texas takes you through three phases of pre-clerkship, clerkship, and post-clerkship. During the first year and a half, you will gain knowledge of basic and clinical sciences through didactic courses, lab sessions, and simulation technology. You will focus on strengthening your foundation in various topics, including body structure, biomedical sciences, integrated medication, and clinical reasoning. During this phase, you also have the option of completing non-credit electives in an area of your interest. Thereafter, in the middle of the second year, you begin with the clinical training. The 18 months of clinical training mainly include clerkships that are well-complemented by other individualized learning experiences such as research activities and electives. This phase also includes preparation for the USMLE Step 1. and to enrich your learning experience, the college offers a wide range of credit & non-credit electives. Typically, the clerkships take place over 48 weeks and include learning experiences in various medical specialties. Finally, you enter the post-clerkship period where you complete sub-internships, electives, and a clinical residency that prepares you for the transition from a medical student to a practicing physician.

Admission Requirements:

 Like most other medical schools in Texas, to qualify you are required to submit your MCAT and CASper scores. Additionally, you must complete pre-requisite courses and apply through TMDSAS. This medical school also requires you to complete a secondary application through its online application portal.

Key Highlights

• The college offers dual degrees in M.D./MBA, M.D. M.PH and M.D./Ph.D. for those keen on having an edge in their medical career.
• You can also pursue your passion by opting for any of the pathways in community health, medical education, research, global health, and quality improvement & patient safety.
• The for-credit electives which help you broaden your learning curve can be chosen from over 100 courses that are offered through more than 20 departments.

3. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine – San Antonio

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 If you are keen on enrolling in one of the best accredited medical schools in Texas, then the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine can be a befitting choice. The college is proudly the largest producer of physicians in South Texas, with most of its graduates serving the San Antonio region. Precisely, each year the college trains 850 physicians in more than 100 specialties. The college’s wide network of partnerships, ranging from the University Health System, South Texas Veterans Health Care System to other prominent healthcare organizations not only enhances student knowledge but also enriches healthcare in San Antonio and beyond. Here, an integrated curriculum takes you through clinical experiences from early into the program. Furthermore, with the rigorous training that it provides, the college takes pride in the successful performance of its graduates on the USMLE exam.

Program Details:

 Divided into two distinct phases, a preclinical and a clinical curriculum, this program begins with 20 months of pre-clinical training. The pre-clinical phase starts with foundational modules in Molecules to Medicine, Attack & Defense, and Language of Medicine. Besides, the pre-clinical phase also includes two longitudinal modules; medicine, behavior & society, and clinical skills that are integrated into the entire pre-clinical curriculum. During this pre-clinical phase, you also study hematology, respiratory health, renal & male reproductive health, blood circulation, mind, brain & behavior, endocrine & female reproductive health, digestive health & nutrition, and function of the musculoskeletal & integumentary systems. Thereafter, this medical school in Texas takes you through 48 weeks of clerkships, 8 weeks of selectives, and 20 weeks of electives. The clinical curriculum begins in March of the second year, beginning with core clerkships in medicine, surgery, family medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and neurology.

Admission Requirements:

 To start with, you must have at least 90 undergraduate credits from an accredited college. Additionally, the college expects you to submit the MCAT test score, three letters of recommendation, and all official transcripts. Also, the college requires you to complete all the pre-requisite courses with a grade of C.

Key Highlights

• Out of all the medical schools in Texas, this school stands out for providing a unique multidisciplinary experience at its Center for Clinical Ultrasound, where multidisciplinary ultrasound education is integrated into the medical curriculum.
• As a medical student at this college, you become a member of one of the 20 Veritas groups. The Veritas program is designed to provide support to students in terms of faculty mentorship, peer group bonding, and accessing fruitful opportunities.

4. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – Lubbock

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 To become an M.D. in Texas, apart from proficiency in medical knowledge, you must be skilled at interprofessional collaboration. The best medical schools in Texas prepare you with excellent medical education and wide exposure to interdisciplinary learning experiences to brace-up for several challenges of patient care. Founded in 1969, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine is one such medical school that has continuously contributed towards addressing the shortage of physicians in the region by producing competent & compassionate physicians. Here, medical education focuses on inter-professional and inter-disciplinary primary care. Besides, the college plays a vital role in contributing towards rural healthcare through a strong partnership with clinical affiliates that not only serve as sites for clinical training but also enhance rural healthcare. Furthermore, as a physician graduate, in addition to a future-ready skillset, you will leave the college with exceptional analytical & problem-solving skills to impact health at all levels.

Program Details:

 During the first two years of this four-year program, you will master fundamental principles of medical sciences which are broken down into subject blocks. These subject blocks take you through the biology of cells & tissues, structure & functions of major organ systems, general principles & infectious diseases, immunity & multisystem disorders, integrated neurosciences, and systems disorders. Towards the end of the second year, the program requires you to complete a Step 1 Enhancement course and a basic course in Medical Spanish. In the third and fourth year, you will complete clinical experiences in a variety of areas. These core rotations or clerkships take you through various specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, and family medicine. Typically, during the fourth year, you complete rotations in critical & ambulatory care before the transition into residency.

Admission Requirements:

 To be eligible for admission, like other accredited medical schools in Texas you must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours from a regionally accredited college. Additionally, the college requires you to complete all the pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade of C. Also, you must submit an MCAT score and take the CASPer online test.

Key Highlights

• If you have completed your undergraduate education in a non-science major, it is strongly advised that you complete additional science coursework beyond the required pre-requisite courses.
• If you are interested in family medicine, the college offers a Family Medicine Accelerated Track. This program culminates into an MD degree after which you complete a three-year family medicine residency.
• Among all the accredited medical schools in Texas, TTUHSC stands out for its outstanding first-time pass rate on the Step 1 exam.

5. McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – Houston

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 When scouting for the best medical schools in Texas, apart from looking into its education history, you must learn about its affiliations, quality of faculty, and the academic environment it provides. McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is one such school that fits the bill in every way. Since the inception of its M.D. program in 1968, the college has had a rich history of preparing leaders in medicine. Today, it takes pride in training around 1000 medical students each year who join the 7000 strong family of its medical graduates. As the eighth-largest medical school in the country, the school has partnered with several medical facilities, with the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, being its primary teaching hospital. Moreover, the college’s interprofessional environment provides umpteen opportunities to collaborate with students from dentistry, nursing, bioinformatics, biomedical sciences, and public health further opening-up rich learning avenues.

Program Details:

 One of the popular medical schools in Texas, its MD program is four-year coursework has undergone a major revision in 2013 to stay abreast of the changing healthcare environment. The four years of the program take you through integrated medical science courses, clerkships, and career focus tracks. Additionally, longitudinal themes of professional ethics, evidence-based medicine, systems of care, population health, and clinical skills are interwoven throughout the program. During the first year, you are educated on the foundations of medical science, medical patient history & physical exam, and concepts in hematology & pathology, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, and the renal system. The first year also includes a doctoring program wherein, using standardized patients, simulation, and preceptor experiences you hone physician skills. In the second year, you continue to learn about the gastrointestinal system, nervous system & behavior, endocrine system, reproductive systems, musculoskeletal systems, before advancing to the clerkships. The third year mainly entails completing clerkships in various specialties, in addition to completing elective courses. Coming to the fourth year, you complete selectives and career focus tracks, before finally transitioning to residency. Furthermore, to help you reach your career goals, this is one of the few medical programs in Texas that offers career focus tracks. So, you can choose one of the four tracks in either primary care, acute care, applied anatomy, or academic career track, based on the specialty you plan to pursue.

Admission Requirements:

 To become a Doctor in Texas, apart from being a highly motivated student, McGovern Medical School requires you to have 90 undergraduate hours and take the MCAT test to fulfill the minimum admission requirements. Additionally, pre-requisite courses in biological sciences, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English must be completed to qualify for admission.

Key Highlights

• During the fourth year, you also complete clinical rotations in ambulatory medicine, critical care, and an internship before you finally transition to residency. These clinical experiences can be tailored to match your career goals and interests.
• Apart from the core coursework, the college offers additional learning opportunities where you can participate in a hands-on research experience.

6. Texas Christian University and University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine – Fort Worth

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 To become an M.D. in Texas, apart from exceptional skills in communication, collaboration, and leadership, you must obtain a degree from one of the best medical schools in Texas that prepares you to impact a positive change in healthcare. Texas Christian University and University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine is one such school that trains you with future-ready doctor skills. This medical school continuously strives to provide medical students with exceptional learning opportunities, be it in terms of clinical training or residency slots at some of the best hospitals throughout North Texas. One of the few medical schools in Texas that has developed a unique Physician Development Coaching Program, here, to foster personal and professional growth you will be paired with a coach and a team of student members who support your goals through the program. Seemingly, to become a doctor, you must be adept at solving real-world healthcare issues and therefore the college equips you with relevant tools in informatics, gerontology, patient safety, cultural competency, and healthcare economics.

Program Details:

 This M.D. program trains you to become an empathetic care provider. The curriculum is divided into three phases; phase one where you build a foundation in basic & clinical sciences, followed by phase two wherein you undergo clinical training, and finally, phase three that entails completing a team project, an internship, and student-selected elective courses. The program provides an immersive learning experience with patient care opportunities starting from early into the program. Your education here aims at optimizing learning objectives in patient-centered care, medical knowledge, communication & collaboration, professionalism, critical appraisal, systems & service, and personal & professional formation. During phase 1 of the program, an organ-based approach is used to educate you on basic, clinical & behavioral sciences. In phase 2 of the program, you will be taken through rotations in in-patient and out-patient settings, as a part of a healthcare team. This phase leads to the USMLE Step 1 exam, after which you progress to the third phase of the program. Phase 3 is systematically divided into the ‘Develop’, ‘Focus’, and ‘Prepare’ stages, with each stage building upon the professional skills and knowledge. Precisely, this phase includes a critical care selective, a sub-internship, preparation for residency, and the scholarly pursuit & thesis.

Admission Requirements:

 To prepare your application, you must highlight the key areas that can enhance your chances of admission. These include possessing professional and personal readiness, in addition to having completed at least 90 semesters hours in general education. As such, a bachelor’s degree is not required, however, you must complete the prescribed pre-requisite courses before matriculation. Also, to qualify for admission, the college requires you to submit your MCAT score.

Key Highlights

• During the third phase of the program, you are required to complete a course called the Final Reflections: The Art of Medicine. Through this course, you reflect on the learning experiences in medical school and understand your role as a practicing physician, before embarking on the next stage of your career as a first-year resident.
• This medical school in TX offers an innovative approach to teach empathy & compassion. The school bases its ‘Compassionate Practice’ curriculum on the principles of theatre, narrative medicine, journalism, and population health, the result of which is a caring and compassionate physician graduate.

7. Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine – College Station

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 Among the prominent medical schools in Texas is the Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, a medical school committed to transforming medicine through innovation and excellence in education. Whether you aspire to a fulfilling medical career or are keen on serving the community, at this medical school, you will not only focus on how to impact medicine but also concentrate on improving healthcare for the rural sections and veteran populations. Furthermore, with five campus locations in Temple, Round Rock, Houston, Dallas, and Bryan College Station, the college is well-positioned to serve not only aspiring medical students, but also diverse communities spread across the state. In the forty years of training physicians, the college has lived up to the changing dynamics of the healthcare field and contributed to better healthcare through research in various areas of translational medicine, primary care, military medicine, and engineering medicine.

Program Details:

 This program starts with a 1.5-year pre-clerkship, followed by 2.5 years of clinical training. To complete this coursework, you must have good observation, communication, intellectual-conceptual, behavioral, and ethical skills. Here, depending on the campus you choose, the program structure differs, however the coursework, regardless of the campus, offers considerable flexibility and customization of the coursework to match the program with your career goals. Each year, the college admits 175 students who complete the program in a total of four years. While at the BCS campus, you complete a longitudinal integrated curriculum, at the Dallas and Temple campuses, you complete the 12 months of pre-clerkship at the BCS campus and then come back to the respective campus to complete the remaining pre-clerkship & clerkship phases of the program. On the other hand, at the Houston campus, you will complete 18 months of pre-clerkship in BCS and then continue with the clerkship phase at the Houston campus.

Admission Requirements:

 To fulfill the admission requirements, the college requires you to submit a primary application through the TMDSAS along with a secondary application through the college of medicine. Additionally, you must submit letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and the MCAT score.

Key Highlights

• The college also offers dual degree programs with just one additional year of study. So, if you are keen on taking up leadership roles, you can pursue any of the five-year dual degrees from either MD/MBA, MD/MS, MD/MPH, MD/EDHP, or MD/STJR.
• There are not many accredited medical schools in Texas that offer a combined degree in engineering and medicine. Should you aspire to create transformational technology for healthcare, the EnMed degree which is an innovative option offered by the college will be a suitable choice. This degree is a four-year program offered at the Houston campus.

8. The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School – Austin

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School is one of the newest accredited medical schools in Texas which is housed in a top-tier U.S. research university. The school being new aims at designing education to meet the challenges of modern healthcare. It uniquely bases its M.D. program on the latest advances in medical education. As a future physician, this learning opportunity can prepare you to transform healthcare, locally, nationally as well as globally. Here, through value-based care, community engagement, and collaboration, you are provided enriching learning opportunities to make an impact as a skilled physician. The college’s commitment to health equity, diversity, and inclusion reflects in every aspect of schooling, be it in the rich inclusive environment that it provides, its engaged learning opportunities, research, or the various pipeline programs that it offers.

Program Details:

 To successfully become an M.D. in Texas, apart from completing this program you must be someone with a caring and compassionate attitude. Here, during the four years of the program, you will learn through case studies, take courses in liberal arts and focus on value-based care and health systems science. The curriculum is divided into four phases called, The Essentials, Delivery, Growth, and Exploration. During the first phase of Essentials which spans 12 months, you will take an accelerated pre-clinical coursework to develop solid clinical skills. Unlike other medical schools in Texas where clerkships start in the third year, here it starts in the second year which is also known as the Delivery phase. In the third year, which is the Growth phase, the college offers an opportunity to gain clinical experience based on your interest. Also, during this phase, in addition to engaging learning experiences in the Central Texas community, you can choose to advance towards a dual degree. Finally, during the last phase of Exploration, you complete electives, rotations, and internships, before completing a capstone to transition into residency.

Admission Requirements:

 Like other medical schools in Texas, admission into this school is equally competitive. The school considers various factors to gauge the capabilities of a potential student. Your primary application is to be made through the TMDSAS along with a secondary application through the college website. The college requires you to complete a prescribed coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.2, submit official transcripts & MCAT scores and complete the pre-requisite courses.

Key Highlights

• Three longitudinal courses of interprofessional education, developing outstanding clinical skills, and leadership are interwoven all through this four-year program.
• This medical school in TX also offers the medical degree in combination with a Master of Public Health. Although a combined degree, it is conferred separately by the respective school. As a graduate of this dual degree, you will be able to impact health on a much larger scale.

9. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine – Galveston

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 One of the oldest medical schools in Texas, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine, has grown from strength to strength in the 130 years of its existence. If you are aspiring to become a doctor in Texas, then here, you will be trained through diverse clinical rotations and a plethora of learning opportunities, like none other. A leader in medical education, this school boasts of four thriving campuses and seven hospitals. Furthermore, the Galveston National Laboratory, a level 4 federal biocontainment research facility, located within the campus, provides you with insightful learning opportunities. Additionally, the college takes pride in being care provider to the state’s incarcerated population and even has the Department of Criminal Justice Hospital housed on its campus. Also, the varied clinical experience throughout Galveston and Brazoria counties, the Bay Area & Southeast Texas provide you with a wide array of diverse learning experiences.

Program Details:

 Like most other medical programs in Texas, this is a four-year program that is divided into phases. The first phase comprises years 1 & 2 and takes you through an integrated medical curriculum. You begin this phase with 24-week core coursework in scientific principles, followed by six organ-based blocks. Throughout these two years, the longitudinal Practice of Medicine course is interwoven, emphasizing practical development in communication, medical interviewing, evidence-based medicine clinical reasoning. Year 3 takes you through clinical experiences in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics, psychiatry, family medicine, and an elective course, based on your interest. During year 4, you complete selectives in neurology, emergency medicine, ambulatory community, and basic science. Furthermore, during this phase, you are also required to complete electives, however, if you have taken electives during the 1st and 2nd years, you may acquire credits which can reduce the credit burden in the fourth year.

Admission Requirements:

 To be considered for admission, you must have at least 90 semester hours. Although a bachelor’s degree is not required, you will up your odds of admission if you have one. Also, it is advised that you complete courses in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular genetics, anatomy & physiology, immunology, statistics, developmental biology, and microbiology. Also, you are required to submit the MCAT score and take the CASPer online test.

Key Highlights

• Texas currently has over 4,500 medical school graduates from UTMB practicing in the state, the highest number of graduates from any medical school in the Lone Star state.
• The school is proud of the diversity in its student population and ranks among the top 10 medical schools in the nation for graduating Hispanic and African American doctors.

10. University of Houston College of Medicine – Houston

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 If you are searching for medical schools in Texas that focus on primary care, then you may want to learn about the University of Houston College of Medicine. This medical school strives to bridge the gap in primary care by producing excellent physicians to serve in primary care. To prepare you for this role, the college provides clinical training in primary care throughout the coursework, spending one half-day every week in a primary care setting. The college’s contribution towards improving primary care in the state has been significant, emphasizing the underserved and rural populations. Here, you will be trained to pay equal impetus, not only on diagnosing & treating disease but also on preventing it. Furthermore, you will gain expertise in patient care, knowledge for practice, practice-based learning & improvement, interpersonal & communication skills, professionalism, systems-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and personal & professional development.

Program Details:

 This is a four-year program that prepares you to offer high-quality and safe patient care in the ever-changing healthcare system. With a focus on factoring social determinants to improve health outcomes, the program is highly immersive and integrates biomedical, clinical, behavioral & social, health systems and population health sciences. The curriculum takes you through three phases, the Pre-Clerkship phase, followed by the Core Clerkship phase, and finally the third phase of Advanced Clerkships. During the first 18 months of pre-clerkship, you will strengthen foundational science & clinical knowledge. In the second phase of 11 months, the college takes you through patient encounters in surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics /gynecology, family medicine, and psychiatry. In the final 15 months, you undergo advanced rotations, elective experiences and complete the USMLE Step 2 exams, before the final transition to residency. Throughout all three phases, the longitudinal primary care course is intertwined.

Admission Requirements:

 To qualify for admission, you must have 90 undergraduate credits from an accredited university. Although the college does not have a minimum GPA to be eligible to apply, it certainly prefers highly promising students. Additionally, taking the MCAT exam, completing prerequisite courses, and submitting a primary and secondary application is required to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria.

Key Highlights

• At this well-known medical school in TX, you will be trained under the mentorship of an award-winning faculty, many of whom have been recognized nationally for their contributions towards transforming health. Also, the faculty members practice medicine which keeps them abreast of the latest practices in medical care.

11. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine – Edinburg

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 Life-long learning and problem-solving are the cornerstones of a successful career as a physician. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine is one of the well-known accredited medical schools in Texas that emphasizes evidence-based and patient-centered medicine in diverse clinical settings. The college particularly focuses on the healthcare of the underserved communities and provides you direct patient-care opportunities in the underserved areas and at its free clinic where you will offer medical care to the vulnerable and economically backward populations. Through excellence in research, education, and community engagement, the college has improved the health of the culturally diverse region, which is located at the U.S. & Mexico border.

Program Details:

 This four-year curriculum is divided into two phases, a pre-clerkship, and a clerkship phase. While the first phase consists of sequential & longitudinal learning modules, the next two years take you through clerkships, selective clerkships, sub-internships, and electives. Also, during the four years of the program, three courses in interprofessional education, early clinical exposure, and underserved medicine are interwoven into every aspect of the coursework. Typically, the year 1 & 2 educate you on concepts in molecules to medicine, attack & defense, cardiovascular & respiratory, musculoskeletal & dermatology, mind, brain & behavior, digestive health & nutrition, and endocrine & female reproduction. Year 3 entails completing clerkship rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics & gynecology, psychiatry, and surgery. During the fourth year, you complete selectives & electives before you transition to residency.

Admission Requirements:

 To qualify for admission, you must have at least 90 semester hours from an accredited university or college. Also, the overall required GPA is a minimum of 3.0, with a GPA of at least 3.2 in science. Additionally, the college requires an MCAT score and at least three letters of recommendation. Besides, a shadowing experience is strongly advised to enhance your chances of admission.

Key Highlights

• The school’s educational partnerships with the school of nursing, college of health professionals, physician assistants, occupational therapy, and school of social work offer a collaborative learning environment to enhance health outcomes and prepare you for proficient interprofessional practice.
• Here, you can also join the Careers in Medicine Program which is a special offering of the college to help you in the process of selecting and matching you with a residency of your choice. Through this program, you can get a deeper insight into more than 120 specialties to help you navigate through your journey as a medical student.

12. Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – El Paso

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 From all the medical schools in Texas, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center stands out for being the only school located along the U.S. Mexico border. Offering a rich cultural environment, the school is one of the few schools in the nation that requires you to learn medical Spanish language skills as part of the curriculum. If you are keen on being part of a diverse environment, then here you will not only graduate with excellent skills in medicine but also as a culturally competent physician. Furthermore, in the fourth year of medical school, the college provides several opportunities to interact with diverse communities along the border. This way, you experience community medicine as well as enhance your Spanish language skills. Also, unlike most other medical schools in Texas where clinical training starts in the third year, here from day one you are taught to think like a doctor and engage in active learning experiences at its Center for Advanced Teaching & Assessment in Clinical Simulation.

Program Details:

 During this four-year program, you will be taken through a coursework that integrates basic & clinical sciences. The program is divided into a pre-clerkship and clerkship phase and has longitudinal requirements intertwined throughout the program. During the two-year pre-clerkship phase, you will be educated on concepts in the scientific principles of medicine, medical skills, and population health. Thereafter, you enter the clerkship phase which spans across the third and fourth year. During this phase, you complete clinical rotations, selectives, a sub-internship, a boot camp, and electives. Typically, in the third year, you participate in clerkships in internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, and psychiatry. Also, you complete selective experiences in a sub-specialty. The fourth-year entails completing clerkships, elective experiences, and a boot camp experience that prepares you for the transition to residency. To finally earn your M.D. degree, apart from finishing all the courses and clerkships, you must complete the Step 1 & 2 USMLE exams.

Admission Requirements:

 The college requires you to have a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college. Also, you must complete prerequisite courses in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, statistics, and English. Furthermore, you must take the MCAT test and the online CASPer test.

Key Highlights

• The college offers a dual M.D./M.P.H. degree for those students keen on integrating medical skills with that of public health.
• The college also offers two distinction programs: Anatomy Distinction and Research Distinction. The distinction is a designation you receive in addition to your degree, in recognition of the exemplary work you have done in your chosen area.

13. Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine – Huntsville

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 If you have been looking for medical schools in Texas that offer training in osteopathic medicine, then you are in the right place. Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the prominent osteopathic colleges in the nation that has been significantly contributing to Texas’s healthcare. For more than 139 years now, SHSU has trained teachers, and today, it plays a vital role in bridging the primary care gap. Here, you will be trained as an osteopathic physician, who serves beyond providing primary care by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. The college’s state-of-art 108,000 square feet facility is housed on a 7.3 acres campus where proficient primary care physicians are mentored.

Program Details:

 To prepare you to become a doctor in Texas, the college utilizes different formats of teaching, including case studies, lectures, simulation, and clinical practice. Year 1 & 2 are the pre-clerkship years that take you through scientific foundations, clinical medicine, clinical anatomy, and osteopathic medicine. Also, you take courses in neuroscience & behaviors, immune system, skin, skeletal & motor systems, renal systems, cardiovascular & respiratory systems, gastrointestinal & nutrition, urinary systems, and endocrine & reproductive systems. Year 3 starts with the clerkship preparation, followed by clinical rotations in various specialties. In year 4, you must complete selectives and electives, based on your area of interest. Throughout this four-year curriculum, research, ethics, and osteopathic principles & practices are longitudinally interwoven.

Admission Requirements:

 As one of the top accredited medical schools in Texas, to qualify for admission into its M.D. program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. Additionally, you must have completed pre-requisite courses in English, biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics with a minimum grade of ‘C’. Also, the college requires you to submit official transcripts along with the MCAT report.

Key Highlights

• This medical school in Texas advises you to submit your application one year before you plan to matriculate. As such, a bachelor’s degree is not required at the time of application, but it is needed before you enroll in this M.D. program.
• To prepare you for your role as a holistic primary care provider, the college recruits clinical faculty from partner clinics & hospitals who train you with exceptional clinical skills through the four years of the program.

14. University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) – San Antonio

Program Length:

 4-Years

About the Medical School:

 If you find your calling in holistic patient care where treating the person is paramount, then enrolling into the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine should be high on your list. Standing out as one of the newest medical schools in Texas that forms an important part of Texas’s well-known Catholic university, here, in addition to gaining stellar osteopathic medical education, you will be trained to become a compassionate and empathetic physician. With the demand for osteopathic physicians growing, as a graduate of this program, you will stand to benefit not only with brighter career prospects but also with the fulfillment of optimizing health, especially for the underserved communities, considering 57% of the state’s underserved population lives in the school’s service areas.

Program Details:

 One of the sought-after medical schools in Texas for osteopathic medicine, here, all through the four years of your study you will participate in weekly community service in San Antonio. Through this engaged-learning opportunity, starting from early into the program, you will build a solid foundation in the principles of social justice and social accountability. The curriculum is divided into two phases and apart from community engagement, includes early clinical exposure as well. During phase 1, you will focus on osteopathic principles & practice, professional identity, and applied biomedical sciences. By integrating concepts from complementing disciplines, your coursework will take you through the essentials of EMT, musculoskeletal, touch and personhood, molecules, cells, compassion, GI system, nutrition, appetite, circulation, respiration, endocrine, reproduction, and mind, brain & behavior. This phase ends with a capstone in spirituality, mental health & wellness. In phase 2 of the program, you build on the clinical experience you have gained by completing eight core rotations, in addition to completing selectives and elective rotations. Additionally, throughout phase 2, an OPP/OMM longitudinal integrated clerkship is interwoven. At the end of the phase, you will participate in COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE and Level 2-PE preparation.

Admission Requirements:

 The college enrolls students with a strong commitment towards social accountability and a passion for osteopathic medicine. Besides, to qualify for admission, you must have an MCAT score, an undergraduate course preparation, completion of pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade ‘C’ along with submission of recommendation letters. Additionally, any exposure to the DO profession will be an added advantage.

Key Highlights

• Out of all the medical schools in Texas, this school is the only one that awards an EMT certification to first-year medical students. This credential allows you to provide basic medical care to the homeless residents of San Antonio.
• Here as part of your clinical training, you will be provided with learning experiences at various types of settings, including military medical centers, school-based clinics, and non-profit clinics.