Philosophy
The content of the undergraduate curriculum at Albany Medical College is integrated over four years. Basic sciences have been organized into conceptual or organ system modules that are initiated in year one. Year I deals with an understanding of "normal" within a clinical context. In Year II, the modules focus on an understanding of "abnormal." The clinical clerkships during Year III emphasize ambulatory care in varied settings: rural; urban; managed care and private practice. Year IV is hospital based, preparing students for residency and practice. During Years III and IV, students revisit the basic science modules in the context of their own clinical experiences. In addition, experiences in the clinical years provide students with an introduction to the major clinical subspecialties.
The Albany Medical College Graduate
Upon successful completion of the course of study in medical school, a period of formal graduate training is virtually mandatory prior to career participation in any of the broad spectrum of professional health care activities. Such graduate training is designed to prepare the physician trainee for certification as a practitioner within one of the recognized areas of specialty practice. Training periods usually occupy from three to five years, during which time the graduate physician is engaged in a program of supervised progressive health care responsibilities interwoven into an educational framework somewhat less structured than in the preceding medical school experience. For details regarding the availability of, application procedures for, and remuneration associated with such training experiences, the candidate is referred to the American Medical Association's annually published Directory of Residency Training Programs and National Resident Matching Program Directory.
Albany Medical College graduates compete favorably for available training opportunities and have, upon completion of graduate training, achieved recognition for excellence in all areas of medicine including practice, research, teaching and administration.
Internships and Residencies
Senior medical students at Albany Medical College select their internships and residencies through the National Residency Matching Program, which is designed to provide fairness and complete freedom to each applicant in procuring the graduate program of choice. As house officers, Albany Medical College graduates find that they are well prepared to assume the responsibilities and privileges of graduate training and patient care. Many graduates continue their education at Albany Medical Center, while others select internship and residency programs at other outstanding teaching hospitals throughout the country.
