Graduating Early from Medical, Law School

07/01/2013

Medical students in the small town of Salina, Kansas - population 50,000 - listen to a remote lecture.

Hello, and welcome once again to “As It Is,” our daily show for people learning everyday American English.

I’m Christopher Cruise in Washington.

Today on the program, some American law schools are helping students graduate in two years rather than the traditional three.

“For some of them it’s because they have a very clear sense of what they want to do when they get out of law school. Maybe they have a job lined up.”

Medical School in Three Years

?

But first, if lawyers can do it, why can’t doctors?

Medical schools in the United States traditionally require four years of study. Now, a small number of universities are offering three-year programs.

The VOA’s Bob Doughty reports.

Finishing medical school in three years -- the same as law school -- means new doctors could begin their careers sooner. The reduction of a year could also save up to 25 percent of the cost. That would decrease heavy student-loan debts for some students who borrow money to pay for their education.

Schools offering three-year programs include the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Mercer University in Georgia. New York University in Manhattan is testing a three-year program.