Dermatology
The Department of Dermatology offers the following programs of study leading to Boston University School of Medicine, Division of Graduate Medical Sciences degrees:
- Master of Science in Dermatology (2 years)
- Doctor of Science in Dermatology (4 years)
Entrance Requirements include a medical degree (MD or MBBS) from a recognized university, a year of internship, one or more years of experience in medicine (preferably with an emphasis in dermatology), and proficiency in English. TOEFL scores are required. Once accepted, trainees are enrolled as special students at the Boston University School of Medicine and are covered by the School’s malpractice and health insurance policies.
The Master of Science and Doctorate programs, designed for medical graduates seeking advanced training in dermatology or dermatopathology, are based on U.S. graduate medical training methods, encompassing didactic lectures, seminars, conferences, direct patient contact, and in the case of the Doctorate degree, a thesis requirement. All clinical sessions are under direct faculty supervision, and trainees are given increased responsibility as their training progresses.
The Master of Science and Doctorate programs are academcic, course-based programs that provide clinical dermatology training with a sound basis in the fundamentals of dermatologic science. Students in these programs are assigned to clinical outpatient sessions (4 to 6 per week) at the Boston Medical Center, where they have primary patient responsibility under faculty supervision, as well as rotations in the Department’s Section of Dermatopathology.
The core curriculum of the 2-year MS program includes the following courses:
- GMS DM 901 Clinical Dermatology (2 years; 8 cr/semester), course manager Thomas M. Ruenger, MD PhD;
- GMS DM 851 Clinical Pathological Correlation (2 years; 4 cr/semester), course manager Thomas M. Ruenger, MD PhD;
- GMS DM 751 Basic Dermatopathology (1 year; 8 cr/semester), course manager Ron Yaar, MD
- GMS DM 871 Diagnostic Dermatopathology (1 year; 4 cr/semester), course manager Ron Yaar, MD
- GMS DM 701 Structure and Function of the Skin (1 year; 3 cr/semester), course manager Hee-Young Park, PhD
- GMS DM 711 Cutaneous Microbiology (1 year; 3 cr/semester), course manager Hee-Young Park, PhD
- GMS DM 811 Photobiology (6 months; 2 cr/semester), course manager Thomas M. Ruenger, MD PhD
- GMS DM 801 Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS (6 months; 2 cr/semester), course manager Yuval Bibi, MD
- GMS DM 821 Dermatologic and Laser Surgery (6 months; 8 cr), course manager Niels Krejci, MD
In addition to continued teaching in Clinical Dermatology (GMS DM901; up to 6 credits/semester), students enrolled in the last 2 years of the DSc program must take two courses in the School of Public Health or in Basic Sciences (8 cr total). The majority of time in these 2 years is devoted to the thesis.
Non-Degree Programs
The International Graduate Dermatology Program offers superb opportunities to international physicians/dermatologists wishing to update their knowledge and have first-hand experience of state-of-the-art advances in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous disorders.
The non-degree pathways are:
- Diploma in Dermatology (1 year)
- Certificate in Clinical Dermatology (1 year)
The Diploma Program is equivalent to the first year of the Master’s Program. Students are permitted to enroll in this program initially and subsequent admission to the Master’s Program is contingent upon successful completion of the first-year requirements.
The Certificate in Clinical Dermatology is an advanced program geared towards the international dermatologist who desires a more in-depth knowledge and practice of dermatology. This program may be tailored to accommodate certain areas of interest of the student.
