The University of Georgia School of Medicine sits in Athens, and it is one of the newest MD programs in the United States. The school is independent and separately accredited. It received LCME preliminary accreditation in February 2026 and enrols its first class in fall 2026, expanding physician training for Georgia's growing population.
UGA Med was developed with Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia. It pairs the research resources of a flagship public university with clinical training in the Augusta University Health system. The program targets Georgia residents who want to serve the state's communities.
What makes University of Georgia School of Medicine (MD) different
UGA School of Medicine is one of the newest MD programs in the United States, established to address Georgia's physician shortage and expand medical education access in Northeast Georgia. Operating in partnership with Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia, students complete their clinical years at Augusta-affiliated hospitals.
Being among the early cohorts of a new program offers unusually close faculty mentorship and an opportunity to shape institutional culture.
University of Georgia School of Medicine (MD) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. Preclinical training at the UGA Athens campus; clinical rotations at Augusta University Medical Center and affiliated sites. Curriculum developed in collaboration with MCG and emphasizes early community health exposure and primary care. As a new program, curriculum details are subject to evolution.
University of Georgia School of Medicine (MD) research strengths
University of Georgia School of Medicine (MD) is strong in these research areas:
- Community health
- Rural health
- Health workforce development
- One Health (human-animal-environment interface)
- Health disparities
How the University of Georgia School of Medicine (MD) interview runs
Format: Traditional one-on-one or panel interviews with faculty and students
UGA School of Medicine is a newer program, launched in partnership with Augusta University, and it runs traditional interviews on the Athens campus. Applicants usually sit one or two faculty or panel interviews of 30 to 45 minutes each. Questions focus on motivation for medicine, commitment to Georgia communities, and fit with a developing program in its early cohorts.
The day also includes a tour of the UGA Health Sciences Campus, and an information session on the regional campus model. Clinical training is completed at Augusta University Medical Center and partner sites across Georgia.
University of Georgia School of Medicine (MD) intake
Approximately 60 students in the inaugural fall 2026 class, with planned expansion toward 120 over time.
University of Georgia School of Medicine (MD) at a glance
Founded in 2026. Based in Athens, GA.
Programmes offered:
- Primary Care
- Community Health
- Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Rural Medicine