Xavier University School of Medicine (XUSOM) in Aruba is proud to announce it has earned reaccreditation by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) through December 31, 2028. The ACCM granted Xavier its initial accreditation in 2015. This vital recognition is testament to XUSOM’s ongoing dedication to upholding the highest academic standards in medical education.
What is ACCM?
The Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting organization based in the Republic of Ireland. The United States Department of Education has stated that the standards used by ACCM are comparable to those used to accredit medical schools in the U.S. ACCM uses accreditation standards similar to Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) of USA.
ACCM has earned World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status until December 31, 2026. This means that the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)’s requirements for an internationally recognized medical accrediting agency have been met.
Why is ECFMG certification important?
Certification by ECFMG is the standard for evaluating the qualifications of international medical graduates (IMGs) before they enter U.S. graduate medical education (GME). Here are some key reasons why ECFMG certification is critical to an IMG:
- It is required to take Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
- IMGs are required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to be ECFMG certified in order to enter an ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship program.
- It is required to obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S.
Why is accreditation important?
The ACCM accreditation process requires that a medical school provides affirmations that its graduates display the professional aptitude to proceed to the next stage of medical training.
Beginning in 2024, individuals applying for ECFMG certification must be a student or graduate of a medical school—such as XUSOM—accredited by an accrediting agency officially recognized by the by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). As an internationally-recognized medical accrediting agency, ACCM has gained WFME recognition until December 31, 2026, making them fully compliant with ECFMG’s accreditation requirements.
Read our blog, “Debunking Myths About Caribbean Medical Schools,” to learn the facts.
A word from our students
“Choosing a medical school that is accredited was at the top of my list. Xavier fit the bill. They checked off all the boxes—and then some.”—Aaron Zakes, MD3
“Becoming a doctor has been my lifelong dream. Xavier’s impressive list of accreditations sealed the deal on my decision to enroll.”—Jessica Audet, ’21
Read our blog, “Why Choose Xavier Over Other Medical Schools,” to learn why Xavier is the better choice.
A word from our president
“Receiving our reaccreditation from ACCM is validation of our commitment to excellence in medical education,” said Ravi Bhooplapur, President of Xavier University School of Medicine. “It’s accreditations such as this that give our graduates the opportunity to get accepted in competitive residencies in the U.S. and Canada. We are proud of this recognition and will continue to support our graduates on their journeys in the medical field.”
Do you have a passion for becoming a doctor? Discover how XUSOM can make it happen. Apply today!
