Study Medicine in the US: What is the pathway to become a certified doctor in both the USA and Australia?

For many students in Australia, medicine is the dream, but the local path is intense competition, limited places and years of uncertainty. At the same time, the world (especially Australia and the United States) has a strong and ongoing demand for well-trained doctors.

The dual Medicine programs offered by Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) and Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) can change that. They offer students a clear, structured and internationally respected pathway to becoming a doctor, with:

• A world-class medical education,
• After completing the study programs, they can register as a doctor in Australia, the USA and other countries,
• Strong earning potential,
• Real pathways back to Australia or migrate to the USA, depending on your choice

This article will help you learn more about the advantages of choosing these programs as a student in Australia.

The difficulty of entering medicine in Australia is one of the main reasons why students in Australia are looking overseas. Key challenges include:

• Very high ATARs and test scores: Students often need to achieve mid-to-high 90s plus strong UCAT or GAMSAT results.
• Limited places at Australian medical schools: Thousands of excellent applicants must compete for a small number of seats every year.
• Multiple competitive filters: To get into a medical course in Australia, apart from academic achievement, high school graduates must meet other requirements such as interviews, subject prerequisites and strict cut-offs.
• Bottlenecks after graduation: Many students complete a bachelor’s degree in science or health, then spend extra years reapplying for graduate-entry medicine.

Even highly capable students can find themselves stuck:

• Delayed entry into medicine,
• Accumulated time and cost without a clear outcome, or
• Shift into another career path not because they want to, but because the system is so competitive.

The ACPHS + WAUSM programs are designed to offer a more direct, more predictable and more empowering alternative.

Instead of hoping you will “eventually get into medical study”, start with medicine in mind from day one with the ACPHS + WAUSM pathways.

Below are key advantages for students graduated from Australian high schools:

• You enter a purpose-designed medical track, not a random science degree.
• You gain international experience in the US, the Bahamas and US teaching hospitals.

There are two main options:

• A 6-year Medicine Degree pathway designed for high-school leavers, in which you earn both a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Science (from a US partner university such as ACPHS) and a Medicine Degree from WAUSM. You will also take the real experience from hospitals in the USA.
• A 4-year Medicine Degree for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want a focused, US-style medical program.

This part will tell you more about the two providers of this dual program: ACPHS and WAUSM.

ACPHS – Elite outcomes without the elite attitude

The first phase of the 6-year pathway will be delivered at a WAUSM partner university such as Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) – a huge advantage for students because of its track record of outstanding graduate outcomes:

• Top-ranked for return on investment in New York State – and among the best in the United States overall.
• In independent studies, ACPHS has outperformed even world-famous universities (including Ivy-level institutions) on long-term earnings.
• A national “value-added” study ranked ACPHS #1 in the US for lifting graduate income above expectations.
• Highly regarded in pharmacy and health sciences, with expanding offerings in Nursing, Health Sciences and Health Data Science.
• Strong practical learning through community clinics, biopharmaceutical and mRNA training, and close industry links.

For students, this means your first degree is already a powerful credential, not just a stepping stone.

WAUSM – A modern medical school built for success

WAUSM complements ACPHS with a modern, US-focused medical program:

• Accredited to standards recognised as comparable to US medical accreditation.
• A curriculum designed around USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) success and real clinical readiness.
• Small cohorts and accessible faculty, creating a high-support learning environment ideal for international students.
• Clinical rotations delivered through a network of teaching hospitals across the United States.
• The First-time Pass Rate on the USMLE Step 1 in 2025 is 100%, which is better than any US Medical Schools.

Together, ACPHS and WAUSM provide a high-reputation dual pathway that positions students strongly in both the US and global healthcare markets.

It is important to note that the degree from this program is recognised by both the USA and Australia. With a US Board Certification, you can practice medicine anywhere in the world!

Medical study in Australia or overseas is a significant investment. The advantage of the ACPHS + WAUSM pathway is that you are investing in a fully structured, time-efficient and globally recognised route to becoming a doctor.

Approximate program fees (before scholarships):

• 6-year MD (BSc + MD): ~AUD $533,000 (USD347,000)
• 4-year MD: ~AUD $410,000 (USD267,000)

These tuition fees are much more affordable than other medical schools in the USA and the UK.

With ACPHS + WAUSM, you are paying for:

• A direct medical pathway with a defined end-point (doctor),
• Dual degrees that carry strong international credibility, and
• Access to US residency, where salaries are among the highest for junior doctors globally.

The advantage is not just the education itself, but the speed and clarity of the route from high school (or bachelor’s graduate) to practising doctor.

The financial advantages are further strengthened by generous scholarship options for students. They can receive scholarships of up to 25% of the total tuition fees.

• Up to AUD $110,000 on the 6-year MD pathway.
• Up to AUD $75,000 on the 4-year MD pathway.

Contact us to learn more about the scholarship opportunities.

The financial picture becomes even more attractive when you consider scholarship options available to eligible students:

• Up to AUD $110,000 in scholarships on the 6-year MD pathway: With this, your total tuition may be reduced to around AUD $423,000 for the entire program.
• Up to AUD $75,000 in scholarships on the 4-year MD pathway: With this support, your total tuition may be as low as AUD $335,000 for the entire program.6-year Medical Degree – Direct from high schoolYears 1–3: ACPHS or another US partner university
  • You are immersed in a health-focused campus from day one.
  • You adapt early to US academic standards and build a strong science foundation.

  Year 4: WAUSM in the Bahamas

  • You move into pre-clerkship medical training in a dedicated medical environment.
  • You prepare for United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, with strong academic support. Please bear in mind that The First-time Pass Rate on the USMLE Step 1 in 2025 from the ACPHS + WAUSM pathway is 100%, which is better than US Medical Schools.
  • On completion of this phase, you receive your Bachelor’s in Biomedical Science from the US partner university.

  Years 5–6: Clinical training in US teaching hospitals

  • You complete core clerkships and electives in hospitals across the United States.
  • You build relationships with US physicians and secure letters of recommendation essential for residency.

  4-year Medical Degree: For students with an existing bachelor’s degree

  • 2 years at WAUSM in the Bahamas (pre-clerkship + systems-based medical sciences).
  • 2 years in US teaching hospitals (clerkships and clinical experience).

  Across both pathways, the structure is designed to:

  • Move you systematically from classroom to clinic,
  • Support you at each transition (US campus → WAUSM → US hospitals), and
  • Position you strongly for US residency and global practice.

These scholarships can significantly reduce your overall investment and improve your return over the long term. You can contact us on 07 3003 1899 or [email protected] for detailed advice on eligibility and how to strengthen your scholarship application.

US-trained doctors enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world, even at residency level. After successfully completing the Medicine Degree and working in the USA, you will have a realistic opportunity to recoup your education investment through strong salaries. Below is the average salary of doctors in the USA in 2024

With a resume that showcases international training, US clinical experience and global readiness, the program will help you become a well-paid, globally competitive doctor.

Finally and importantly for many students and families in Australia, these programs keep the door open to practising in Australia.

As a ACPHS and WAUSM graduate, especially if you complete residency in the United States, you can explore recognised routes to Australian registration. You only need to register with AHPRA once you return to Australia, then you can practice anywhere in Australia.

You are not choosing between “Australia or overseas”. By choosing ACPHS + WAUSM, you create options – the ability to build a career in the USA, return to Australia, or work in other countries that value US medical training.

If you wish to explore this option, contact SOL Edu on 07 3003 1899 or [email protected] for free consultation and free admissions process.