Key Takeaways
- BYU School of Medicine received national accreditation in October 2026.
- The university plans to launch its first M.D. program in July 2027.
- Applications are expected to open within the next couple of weeks.
Brigham Young University’s School of Medicine received national accreditation Wednesday, allowing the Utah university to recruit its first medical students for a Doctor of Medicine program scheduled to begin in July 2027.
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which accredits medical education programs in the United States and Canada, voted to grant the school accreditation during its October meeting. The decision marks a major milestone in BYU’s effort to establish its first medical school, announced in July 2024 by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
BYU President C. Shane Reese announced the decision during a news conference in Provo, Utah, calling it a historic moment for the university.
“It is indeed a historic day for Brigham Young University,” Reese said.
Accreditation Clears Path for Student Recruitment
The accreditation allows the university to recruit its inaugural class and move forward with plans to launch its medical doctorate program in July 2027.
The milestone follows more than two years of planning since the BYU School of Medicine was first announced. The university is now preparing to accept applications from prospective students, with inaugural dean Dr. Mark J. Ott saying applications are expected to open within the next couple of weeks.
Prospective students can visit the school’s website at medicine.byu.edu for information about admissions requirements, eligibility, and other details.
The accreditation decision establishes a key foundation for the new program as BYU prepares to train future physicians. The university has not provided a specific number of students for its inaugural class in the information released Wednesday.
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New Medical School Building Planned for Provo
The school’s permanent building is planned for the corner of University Avenue and Cougar Boulevard in Provo. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, according to the university’s announcement.
Ott said the building’s design draws inspiration from early Utah communities and religious architecture in Provo. He cited the Provo City Center Library and the Provo City Center Temple, formerly the Provo Tabernacle, as examples of the architectural influences behind the project.
Ott described the planned facility as a “truly special temple of learning,” emphasizing the role its design will play in creating an environment for medical education.
The building will also include modern educational features intended to support a state-of-the-art learning experience, he said.
The project represents a major part of the university’s plans to establish a permanent home for its medical education program. However, the school will begin operations at a temporary location while construction of its main facility moves forward.
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Renovations Underway at Temporary Campus
The BYU School of Medicine temporary location will be on BYU’s West Campus, which occupies the former Provo High School site.
Ott said renovations to prepare the space for medical education are already underway.
The temporary facility will allow the university to prepare for the program’s July 2027 launch while work on the permanent building is expected to begin the same year.
The accreditation announcement follows the university’s broader effort to expand medical education opportunities through the new school. The program is intended to provide a formal pathway for students pursuing medical degrees at BYU.
For now, the university is focused on recruiting its first class, preparing its temporary facilities, and advancing plans for its permanent campus.
The next major step is the opening of applications, expected in the coming weeks. The university has directed interested candidates to the official BYU School of Medicine website for updated information on admissions and eligibility.