The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson is the flagship UArizona medical school. It was founded in 1967 and sits on the main UArizona campus. It is one of the oldest and most established medical schools in the Southwest. It is known for its focus on border health, Native American health, desert medicine, and primary care.
Tucson’s closeness to the US-Mexico border and to large Indigenous reservation lands gives students distinctive clinical exposure and research opportunities in underserved and cross-border health.
What makes UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson (MD) different
UArizona Tucson is the only US medical school within driving distance of a major US-Mexico border crossing. That gives students unmatched clinical exposure to cross-border health, immigrant health, and bilingual clinical settings. The school also has a distinguished record in Native American health research, and runs the Arizona Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) network serving rural and underserved communities statewide.
UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson (MD) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Years 1–2 blend basic science with early clinical skills and community medicine experiences. Year 3 core clerkships at Banner – University Medicine Tucson, Tucson VA, and affiliated community and border health sites. Year 4 includes electives, acting internships, and research projects. Options include joint MD-PhD and MD-MPH tracks.
UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson (MD) research strengths
UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson (MD) is strong in these research areas:
- Border and immigration health
- Native American health disparities
- Cancer biology
- Infectious disease
- Primary care research
How the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson (MD) interview runs
Format: Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
UArizona Tucson runs an MMI of roughly 8 stations, each 6 to 8 minutes. Stations assess ethical reasoning, communication, teamwork, and motivation for medicine, framed by border health, desert medicine, and underserved Arizona communities. Interview day also includes program information sessions, student Q&A, and a tour of the Tucson clinical campus and Banner – University Medicine Tucson.
UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson (MD) intake
Approximately 120 students per year.
UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson (MD) at a glance
Founded in 1967. Based in Tucson, AZ.
Programmes offered:
- Border Health
- Primary Care
- Native American Health
- Oncology
- Family Medicine