Antigua and Barbuda are a twin-island nation that is situated on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea and western edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The nation is comprised of the two larger islands, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as a chain of smaller islands–which includes Green Guinea, Great Bird, Maiden, Long, the York Islands and Redonda to the south. As of 2011, the total population of the Antigua and Barbuda nation was just under 82,000.
Antigua and Burbuda is home to several colleges and universities including two medical schools, the University of Health Sciences Antigua (UHSA), founded in 1982, and the American University of Antigua (AUA) which was established in 2004. Other prominent higher education institutions include the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI), Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Information Technology (ABIIT) and Antigua State College.
The University of Health Sciences Antigua (UHSA) was founded in 1982 and is located in the city of Dowhill, just outside of Falmouth and about 12 miles from the St. John’s, Antigua’s capital city.
UHSA is a premier caribbean medial school and awards its students the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. UHSA’s MD program takes four calendar years to complete. There are 3 semesters per calendar year. Students are required to take 4 semesters of courses in basic sciences followed by about 3 years of clinical clerkships sponsored through hospitals and medical centers in the United States, UK, Puerto Rico, and China. While UHSA graduates can practice in the United States they are ineligible to receive an MD license in several states, including Indiana, California, Texas, Kansas and North Dakota.
The American University of Antigua (AUA) is a private for-profit university located just outside Antigua’s capital city of St. John. AUA is comprised of two academic schools, a school of Medicine and a College of Arts & Sciences. The School of Medicine awards its students the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, which requires 10 semesters to complete. The first 4 semesters are comprised of basic science courses. The remaining semesters consist of clinical rotations which take place at affiliated U.S. hospitals and medical centers. Tuition at AUA’s School of Medicine is approximately $15,000 per semester. The College of Arts & Sciences at AUA offers an Associate of Science in Health Sciences degree and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Sciences degree. Students who successfully complete either of these degree programs will qualify for entry into the university’s MD program.
Founded in 1977 as the Hotel Training Center, and re-established in 1998 as The Antigua & Barbuda Hospitaly Training Institute (ABHTI), the school offers programs for young adults, ages 16 to 25, who are seeking an education that will prepare them for entry-level positions in the hospitality and tourism industries. The school offers both 1- and 2-year programs that are followed by a 3-month internship/apprenticeship to gain necessarily hands-on experience in their chosen career field or specialization.
The Antigua & Barbuda International Institute of Technology, more commonly referred to as “ABIIT” offers career-oriented associate degree programs in several fields of study including banking and financing, accounting, graphic design, business administration, computer science, computer network engineering and computer information systems. ABIIT also offers diploma programs in architectural technology and office specialist.
Antigua State College was founded in 1977 through the merger of Leeward Islands Teachers’ Training College and Golden Grove Technical College. The number of students attending Antigua State College has grown from roughly 150 in 1977 to more than 1000 in 2011. Over this period the college has added an undergraduate university program and a business studies program. All programs at Antigua State College are sponsored in part by the University of the West Indies in Cave Hill, Barbados and classes as Antigua State College are run in conjunction with their counterparts offered at the University of the West Indies.