Oceania University of Medicine (OUM) Mission Statement
OUM exists to help qualified individuals overcome distance, and associated personal and professional barriers, to become highly trained medical practitioners committed to lifelong learning with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes to care for patients; prevent, treat, and cure disease; and create and apply new knowledge to improve the health of underserved communities in Samoa and beyond.
Our Values
In Pursuit of Individual Excellence
OUM offers a high-quality hybrid medical education designed for professionals seeking new careers, recent graduates considering medicine, and healthcare practitioners ready to upskill — all strengthened by student support programs that provide personalized guidance, resources, and encouragement to keep students on track to succeed.
Success & Integrity
OUM is committed to student success at every stage of the MD journey, combining a history of outstanding graduate outcomes, a global network of teaching hospitals and clinics, individualized student support programs, and the guidance of faculty who are active clinicians and researchers.
Accent headingOur Model
Maintaining Balance While Studying Medicine
OUM’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program begins with online pre-clinical study which allows some students to manage a limited work schedule through a portion of years one and two. Since students spend an average of 40-50 hours per week on their studies, essentially representing a second full-time job, some students seek a much abbreviated professional presence to accommodate.
Program Duration & Work Considerations
Most students complete the program in about 4.5 to 5 years. Students who work during the pre-clinical curriculum, or those who plan to practice in the US, may take up to 5 years to complete the MD Program. Working during clinical rotations is impractical, as rotations require a full-time commitment, and the work hours assigned to students by the facility/supervisor make outside employment unfeasible. Students should plan not to work during the final two clinical years of the program.
Accent headingExplore OUM's MD Catalog
Welcome to OUM’s catalog, your comprehensive guide to the MD program and resources designed to support your medical school journey.
Student Diversity
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Student Diversity
OUM’s diverse student body is an impressive group of workforce-experienced medical students, both in its range of professions and the native countries it represents. The majority of OUM students have many years of work experience, primarily in healthcare professions, but also in a wide variety of other careers.
- Student average age is 47 years, ranging from 21 to 73 years.
- 59 percent female, 41 percent male.
- From 22 different countries, but live primarily in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Samoa and the US.
- 42 percent hold Master’s degrees and 8 percent have earned a Doctorate.
OUM at a Glance
- 373 students are currently enrolled at OUM.
- 61 faculty members are active Lecturers, Advisors, Research Advisors, Course Specialists, and members of University Leadership.
OUM Student Professions Upon Enrollment
Student Support Programs
Student SupportAssuring student success is an OUM cornerstone and the University’s Advisory Programs and medical student support services lead the industry in guiding students toward their goal. Students begin working with Student Success Advisors early during their pre-clinical coursework and Research Advisors guide students through their required research project.
Visit Student Support Programs PageAdvisory Program
Student Success Advisors (SSAs)
At OUM, we understand that the journey through medical school is not just about mastering the curriculum; it’s about thriving in a challenging and rewarding environment. SSAs walk alongside students in this journey as OUM is a student-centric community that invests in student success. Our SSA Program is designed to support students every step of the way.
At OUM, we understand that the journey through medical school is not just about mastering the curriculum; it’s about thriving in a challenging and rewarding environment. SSAs walk alongside students in this journey as OUM is a student-centric community that invests in student success. Our SSA Program is designed to support students every step of the way.
Learn moreResearch Advisors
At OUM, we understand that the journey through medical school is not just about mastering the curriculum; it’s about thriving in a challenging and rewarding environment. SSAs walk alongside students in this journey as OUM is a student-centric community that invests in student success. Our SSA Program is designed to support students every step of the way.
As medical research education, specifically the completion of a research project is a graduation requirement at OUM, experienced Research Advisors are available to assist students in all aspects of their project from identifying a research question to data collection/analysis, and manuscript preparation. Students are assigned a Research Advisor by the Director of Research.
Learn moreStudent Ambassador Program
At OUM, we understand that the journey through medical school is not just about mastering the curriculum; it’s about thriving in a challenging and rewarding environment. SSAs walk alongside students in this journey as OUM is a student-centric community that invests in student success. Our SSA Program is designed to support students every step of the way.
OUM’s Student Ambassadors assist prospective students and support first-year colleagues during their transition to medical school. They serve for one year, which they spend sharing their OUM journeys, discussing course content, our interactive classrooms, remote exams, preparing for clinical rotations, and much more. Student Ambassadors take calls from prospects and peers, as well as attend our live webinars and orientation sessions. The experience is also a great mentoring and leadership experience which strengthens a student’s CV/résumé.
OUM Student Association (OUMSA)
The OUMSA was formed by students in 2014 to increase peer interaction in its distance learning environment, provide a cohesive student voice, and to help each other make the most of the medical school experience. OUMSA members also earn membership in the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), joining 300+ campuses in a global organization which supports and inspires tomorrow’s physicians. OUMSA typically meets monthly, holds annual leadership elections, and works with Student Affairs to facilitate the Student Ambassador Program.
The OUMSA was formed by students in 2014 to increase peer interaction in its distance learning environment, provide a cohesive student voice, and to help each other make the most of the medical school experience. OUMSA members also earn membership in the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), joining 300+ campuses in a global organization which supports and inspires tomorrow’s physicians. OUMSA typically meets monthly, holds annual leadership elections, and works with Student Affairs to facilitate the Student Ambassador Program.
