The United States is a top destination for international students, including those from Bangladesh, pursuing degrees in health and medicine. U.S. universities offer a wide variety of programs in health sciences, medicine, nursing, public health, pharmacy, and more, with many programs being globally recognized and providing access to advanced facilities, research, and clinical placements.
Below are popular health and medicine-related courses and entry requirements for Bangladeshi students in the USA.
Popular Health and Medicine Courses in the USA
- Medicine (MD/DO):
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Nursing:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Pharmacy:
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Dentistry:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Public Health:
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Public Health Nursing
- Environmental Health
- Physical Therapy:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Veterinary Medicine:
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Occupational Therapy:
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- Biomedical Sciences:
- Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
- Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology
- Health Administration:
- Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- Healthcare Management
Entry Requirements for Bangladeshi Students
Foundation/Diploma Programs:
- Education:
- Completion of Class 12th with a minimum of 50%–60% marks in Science (including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics).
- English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS 6.0–6.5 or equivalent (TOEFL iBT 70–80 / PTE Academic 50–58).
Undergraduate Programs (BSN, BSc in Health Sciences, etc.):
- Education:
- Completion of Class 12th with a minimum of 70%–75% marks in Science, with subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (for health-related programs).
- English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS 6.5–7.0 (no band less than 6.0) or equivalent (TOEFL iBT 80–90 / PTE Academic 60–65).
- Additional Requirements:
- Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose: A personal statement explaining your motivation and career goals in health and medicine.
- Recommendation Letters: Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or medical professionals.
Postgraduate Programs (MD, MS in Public Health, etc.):
- Education:
- A relevant undergraduate degree (such as a Bachelor’s in Nursing, Biochemistry, Biology, or Health Sciences) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or equivalent.
- For MD programs, a bachelor’s degree is required, along with specific pre-med coursework (such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math).
- English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS 7.0–8.0 (depending on the program) or equivalent (TOEFL iBT 90–100 / PTE Academic 65–70).
- Additional Requirements:
- Work Experience: Some postgraduate programs, particularly in fields like Medicine and Public Health, may require work experience or volunteer experience in a health-related setting.
- Research Proposal: For research-based programs like Biomedical Sciences or Public Health, a research proposal may be required.
- Recommendation Letters: Usually required, particularly for competitive programs like Medicine and Public Health.
Medical School (MD/DO) Specific Requirements:
- Education:
- Completion of a Bachelor’s degree with coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Many applicants have a degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related fields.
- Minimum GPA of 3.5–3.7 on a 4.0 scale is recommended for competitive medical schools.
- Entrance Exams:
- MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): Required for entry into MD/DO programs. A competitive score typically ranges from 510 to 520 or higher.
- English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS 7.0–8.0 (or equivalent).
- Additional Requirements:
- Clinical Experience/Volunteer Work: Many medical schools require applicants to have hands-on clinical experience or volunteer work in healthcare settings.
- Personal Statement/Essays: A strong personal statement explaining your motivation to pursue medicine and your personal experiences in healthcare.
- Interviews: Medical schools in the USA often require interviews as part of the admissions process.
Estimated Tuition Costs:
- Foundation/Diploma Programs:
- USD 10,000–25,000 per year.
- Undergraduate Programs:
- BSN, BSc in Health Sciences: USD 20,000–50,000 per year.
- Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing: USD 30,000–60,000 per year.
- Postgraduate Programs:
- MD/DO: USD 50,000–75,000 per year.
- MS in Public Health, MS in Biomedical Sciences: USD 25,000–50,000 per year.
Popular Universities Offering Health and Medicine Courses in the USA:
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Stanford University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
- Columbia University
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
- Yale University
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- University of Washington
Special Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students:
- Scholarships:
- Fulbright Program: A prestigious U.S. government-funded scholarship program for international students, including those from Bangladesh, to pursue graduate studies in the USA.
- University-Specific Scholarships: Many U.S. universities offer merit-based scholarships, such as Harvard University’s Global Scholarships or Johns Hopkins University’s International Scholarships.
- Need-based Financial Aid: Some universities provide need-based financial aid for international students.
- Internships and Clinical Placements:
- Many health and medicine programs, particularly at the postgraduate level, offer internships, clinical placements, and research opportunities in leading healthcare institutions, which can provide invaluable practical experience in the medical field.
- Post-Graduation Work Opportunities:
- International students in the USA can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) in fields like health, medicine, and healthcare administration for up to 12 months (with extensions available for STEM-related fields).
Career Prospects:
Graduates in Health and Medicine can pursue careers in various sectors, including:
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Public Health: Health educators, epidemiologists, healthcare policy analysts, and public health researchers.
- Pharmaceuticals: Pharmaceutical scientists, drug development specialists, and clinical research coordinators.
- Healthcare Administration: Hospital administrators, healthcare managers, and public health officials.
- Medical Research: Biomedical scientists, clinical researchers, and laboratory technicians.
- Veterinary Medicine: Veterinarians, animal researchers, and animal health experts.
Why Study Health and Medicine in the USA?
- World-Class Education: U.S. universities offer some of the most prestigious and recognized programs in the world in health and medicine.
- Cutting-Edge Facilities: Students have access to advanced laboratories, medical facilities, and research opportunities.
- Global Recognition: Medical and health-related degrees from U.S. institutions are recognized worldwide, offering graduates excellent job prospects globally.
- Diverse Specializations: The U.S. offers a vast range of specializations in health and medicine, from nursing and physical therapy to medical research and public health.
- Post-Graduation Opportunities: The U.S. provides opportunities for international students to gain practical work experience in the country after graduation, especially in the healthcare sector
