MD Medicine at University of South Dakota

Programme overview

The Doctor of Medicine at the Sanford School of Medicine on the Vermillion campus follows a three-pillar curriculum combining biomedical science with early hands-on clinical experience. Concurrent M.D./MBA and M.D./MPH options are available.

Faculty: Sanford School of Medicine | Duration: 4 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Vermillion, SD, United States

What you will study

Pillar 1 is about 18 months of integrated basic science (anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology) by organ system. Pillar 2 is clinical skills through longitudinal integrated clerkships, with an optional rural track, and Pillar 3 is advanced knowledge through electives and research.

Career pathways

Graduates enter primary care or specialty practice; 80% of students plan to practice in South Dakota and career advising runs from the first year until matching.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and either South Dakota residents or non-residents with strong ties to the state (for example SD high school graduation, a parent living in SD, being a child of a Sanford alumnus, enrolled membership in a bordering-state tribe, or at least 90 credits at an SD college or university). Applications go through AMCAS; enrolled tribal members may also apply via the INMED programme with an INMED application. Interviews run October to February.

Domestic applicants: USD 34,688 a year. South Dakota resident rate. Tuition line only; excludes fees ($2,359.55), insurance and living expenses. Academic year not stated on the page. Source

International applicants: USD 82,057 a year. Non-resident rate. Tuition line only; excludes fees ($2,359.55), insurance and living expenses. Academic year not stated on the page. Source

Entry terms for international applicants: Spring 2027 classes start January 11, 2027 (new student arrival deadline January 10); Fall 2027 classes start August 23 (new student arrival deadline August 20).

Graduate applications go through the USD Graduate Application or GradCAS; Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Law, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Social Work use specialty CAS applications. Application deadlines are set per programme in the Graduate Catalog and are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The graduate application fee cannot be waived or deferred and is non-refundable.

Law (JD): applications open September 1 for the next year's admission; applicants apply through LSAC CAS and must submit the LSAT, GRE or JD Next. June LSAT scores are accepted for the same year if the application is submitted by July 1. Out-of-state applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT receive in-state tuition.

Apply through the official page: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply

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