NUC Elevates 3 Medical Programmes in Nigerian Universities to Doctorate Level
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has revealed the advancement of certain medical-related courses in Nigerian universities, upgrading them from undergraduate degree status to doctorate level.
Included in the upgraded programmes are the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D), Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), and Doctor of Optometry (O.D).
These programmes will now require six years of study instead of the previous five, allowing for the addition of new courses and extended clinical training, which will provide students with a more in-depth and practical education.
According to the commission, this initiative is designed to improve the quality of medical education in Nigeria, aligning it with international standards.
In a statement issued and signed by Franca Elochi Chukwuonwo, the Acting Director of Public Affairs at the commission, the upgrade addresses the need for more extensive education in medical fields, with increased clinical practice and foundational courses.
The statement further clarified that the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) programme has not received approval in any Nigerian university and will not be part of this upgrade.
“The upgrade seeks to incorporate more practical sessions, improve clinical skills, and ensure all specialty areas are comprehensively addressed,” the statement noted.
“This change is intended to enhance the employability of graduates and improve their prospects for further studies abroad.”
The upgraded programmes are expected to establish higher standards of education and ensure international recognition for Nigerian qualifications.
“The Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) programme does not exist in the NUC’s Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) or Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS),” the statement emphasized.
As a result, the programme will not be acknowledged as part of the upgraded courses offered in Nigerian universities.
