Accreditation milestone authorizes recruitment, admission of inaugural class
The BYU School of Medicine has received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the accrediting authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for medical education programs leading to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. With this updated status, the school is authorized to recruit and admit students and launch its MD program.
The School of Medicine will welcome its first students in July 2027 and will begin accepting applications for the inaugural class in the coming weeks. Prospective students are encouraged to review the admissions criteria and information found on the school’s website: medicine.byu.edu.
"The BYU School of Medicine will offer a distinctive approach to medical education rooted in faith, rigorous academic preparation, and service," said BYU President C. Shane Reese. "Receiving preliminary accreditation is a major milestone and allows us to fulfill a prophetic vision of preparing physicians who will bless individuals, families, and communities throughout the world."
Announced by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in July 2024, the BYU School of Medicine is founded on the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, the Master Healer, and guided by the doctrine and leaders of the Church. Preliminary accreditation represents the culmination of extensive planning and preparation, from recruiting world-class faculty and establishing clinical affiliate relationships to designing a mission-driven, scientifically rigorous medical curriculum that integrates global health, research, and humanitarian service.
"Many people have sacrificed, volunteered, and worked tirelessly to bring us to this historic moment," said Dr. Mark Ott, inaugural dean of the BYU School of Medicine. "With preliminary accreditation granted, we are now positioned to begin preparing Christ-centered physicians who will combine exceptional medical training with a deep commitment to caring for all people as fellow children of a loving God.”
As the School of Medicine advances toward opening its doors, the BYU Board of Trustees has also approved plans for the school’s future home.
School of Medicine building
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Renderings of the BYU School of Medicine Building.
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The 275,000-square-foot building will be located on BYU’s West Campus, just east of Intermountain Health's Utah Valley Hospital—the School of Medicine’s primary clinical affiliate.
The building’s architecture draws inspiration from Utah’s unique heritage and landscape, echoing the craftsmanship of early local Utah community and religious architecture, including the former Brigham Young Academy (now the Provo City Library) and the Provo City Center Temple. At the main entry, a two-story forum will serve as the heart of the building, bringing students, faculty, staff, and visitors into a shared space designed for connection and community.
The building will feature advanced medical education learning spaces and technology, including a range of learning environments from individual to large group, as well as simulation-based learning and clinical skills training. Additional features will include a medical library, anatomy and research laboratories, and a dedicated hub for the school’s global health and research initiatives. Student-centered amenities such as community gathering areas, food service, outdoor courtyards, and a family room with children's play space will support the whole-person development of future physicians.
“This building was designed to be far more than a collection of classrooms and laboratories,” Ott said. “It will be another BYU temple of learning. Every aspect of the building is intended to support the formation of physicians who are not just academically prepared, but spiritually grounded and committed to a higher standard of care as disciples of Jesus Christ.”
As plans move forward for the permanent building, the School of Medicine is preparing to educate students in a renovated space that was part of the former Provo High School. Together with additional facilities supporting the school's operations, the interim space includes anatomy and simulation laboratories, research collaboration and faculty mentoring areas, team-based learning classrooms, and dedicated areas for student support, offering an exceptional environment for medical education from day one.
Construction on the permanent building is expected to begin in 2027. The existing track, field, and tennis courts on the site are expected to remain available for use through this fall.
Media Contact: Todd Hollingshead
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