Small-Group Learning
Small-group learning is the foundation of the curriculum. During pre-clerkship years, students work in these groups and learn to communicate effectively and to solve clinical problems. Students identify their own learning needs, learn to find and apply evidence to cases, and develop clinical reasoning skills. Small-group learning simulates real-world clinical medicine and prepares students well for clinical practice.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
The faculty are passionate and skilled educators with dedicated time to provide support and mentoring to students. The student-to-faculty ratio at the School of Medicine is three-to-one (3:1), which means students receive individualized attention and greater access to faculty, as needed.
Early Clinical Experience
At the School of Medicine, students begin clinical training in the first year and learn to communicate with patients and perform initial patient assessments. Students serve real patients at community partner sites, applying the clinical skills learned in the classroom. Throughout the curriculum, students engage with standardized patients, simulation, and training in procedural skills and ultrasound.
Students graduate not only prepared for residency and future specialties but also grounded in service, teamwork, and a deep connection to the communities they have served. The state of Georgia is the classroom, and advancing the health of its citizens is the driving mission.
Active Learning
Concepts are best learned by doing. The curriculum emphasizes active learning through case-based, problem-solving and hands-on clinical training. From small groups and simulation lab to standardized patients and work in the free clinic, students build the skills and confidence to apply in practice what is learned in and outside the classroom.
UGA & Athens
As part of one of the nation’s premier public universities, students benefit from the complete institutional experience—top-ranked academics across 20 schools and colleges, cutting-edge research, nationally competitive athletics, a vibrant campus culture, and a strong sense of community.
Athens is consistently ranked among the nation’s top college towns, offering the energy and culture of a classic college town and community. From a nationally recognized music and arts scene to outdoor recreation, food, and community, Athens is a place where students can recharge, build lasting friendships, and truly feel at home while pursuing a rigorous medical education.