Georgian American University

Georgian American University

Georgian American University, established in 2001 puts lots of emphasis on quality medical education and has one of the best qualified and highly experienced faculty members.

From the very beginning, Georgian American University experienced many changes, difficult challenges, and successes.

This university runs on a mission of giving education based on advanced scientific research and innovative teaching models. The university provides equal opportunities by strengthening knowledge and medical skills.

The Georgian American University offers a 6-year MBBS program. With 6 years of dedicated and theoretical medical education, students will get a globally accepted medical degree and the opportunity to work in university-affiliated hospitals.

GAU's Mission

Providing education based on advanced scientific-research and practical-teaching models, leading research and innovative activities. By providing equal opportunities - by strengthening knowledge, skills and universal values and recognizing social responsibility, promoting the development of society and the global integration of the country through the creation, accumulation and sharing of knowledge.

GAU's Vision

In its long-term perspective, GAU takes on the responsibility of creating a tolerant, collaborative and innovative environment where students and faculty can help:

• Contribute to the intellectual, cultural and socio-economic development of our society;
• Creating, storing and transferring knowledge using the main advantages of the University in the educational space;
• Transformation of acquired knowledge into practice and application of skills developed in accordance with the qualifications at all necessary levels;
• Development of professionals with high social and moral responsibility;
• Strengthening universal and national values through and within the framework of expert and research activities, thus encouraging civic cooperation and accountability;
• Ensuring the principles of academic freedom and lifelong learning.

Establishment of the Georgian American University

The demand in Tbilisi for a truly western University was so pronounced that despite the fact that at that time there were already two international business schools in operation, the interest in a program offering joint programs in Business and Law was substantial enough to move forward with the opening of a Business School and Law School at the Georgian American University in 2005.

In February 2005, a joint limited liability company of American and Georgian investors was formed. This dedicated group and its Board of Directors established financial and operational management standards which aligned with the strict international, ethical and educational standards necessary. This group of investors possessed a wide array of knowledge and experience such as:

• Experience with the United States, Georgian and International Law;
• Experience with the United States, Georgian and International Business, Banking, Finance and Management sectors;
• Public relations in Georgia and Internationally;
• Experience with the United States, Georgian and International education systems; and
• Experience with the United States government.

Development of the University

From its origin, GAU has experienced many changes, challenges and successes. Where the market so demands, new programs have been introduced, further developing and improving existing programs. The drive for perfection of the educational process as well as the management of the University is instilled in each Founder, Board Member, Faculty and Staff member.

GAU has one of, if not the highest placement rates of its students and graduates in Georgia due in part to the exceptional professional and practical skills developed as well as the concentration of professional English.

In the 2011/2012 academic year, GAU added the International Relations and Diplomacy Program to its Law School, resulting in the name change to the Law and Social Sciences School. In the 2012/2013 academic year, due to the successful performances of both its Business and Law Schools and considering state priorities and market demand, GAU opened the Natural Sciences and Engineering School. In the 2013-14 academic year, GAU added the Liberal Education and Humanitarian Sciences School.

On a regular basis, GAU students are given unique opportunities through internships to work with local organizations. GAU students are also able to participate in foreign university exchange programs.

For the 2012/2013 academic year, GAU moved to a new campus location (10 Merab Aleksidze St.) which was more in line with its high university standards. The 6,000 sq.m. building contains large classrooms, a modern library/computer laboratory, a café, gym and auditoriums. This, together with expansive grounds creates a pleasant and productive academic environment.

Program Structure

To complete the Undergraduate MD program at Georgian American University (GAU), students must earn 360 credits.

The Undergraduate Medical Doctor program is designed to meet the challenges of training competitive and highly qualified doctors for the 21st century. During one academic year students accumulate 60 credits, i.e. 30 credits per semester, however, depending on the student's individual schedule, the number of credits per year can be either more or less than 60, but not more than 75.

The program consists of 4 phases:

• Phase I - "From Cell to Body" : Years 1 and 2 - Introduction to core body systems, biomedical science, social and behavioral medicine, medical ethics using different teaching methods including PBL. Students learn key practical skills (interviewing patients) in clinical settings.
• Phase II - "Mechanism of Disease" : Year 3 - with the main emphasis is on Pathology and Pathophysiology of diseases. Students start mastering in physical diagnosis. They are introduced to General Pharmacology and General Surgery. This year students are trained in diagnostic thinking through case discussions related to different topics of medicine, integrating their knowledge and preparing for understanding clinical subjects next years.
• Phase III - "Clinical Medicine" : Years 4 and 5 - Students learn main clinical subjects - Internal Medicine (system-based), Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Otorhinolaryngology. In parallel, they are continuously trained in the Clinical Skills Lab and clinical settings.
• Phase IV - "Preparing for Practice" : Year 6 (graduation) - during the graduating year students have clinical attachments mastering gaining necessary competencies in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Infectious Diseases, Family Medicine, Ophthalmology, Geriatrics, Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. According to integration principles and spiral curriculum requirements, they revisit basic subjects (Clinical Pharmacology and Medical Genetics).

The main features of the GAU MD curriculum are:

• Partly Integrated core curriculum implying both vertical and horizontal integration
• Increasing the number of electives over the years of study
• A body-system approach - integrated system-based courses address the major body systems
• Courses of Problem- and Case-based learning
• Spiral model of the curriculum that allows reviewing key basic topics in more depth
• Early exposure to clinical settings and mastering clinical skills throughout 6 years
• Longitudinal research skills teaching
• Social and public health including Medical ethics, Behavioral medicine, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Evidence-based Medicine, Health Law, Healthcare management
• Student-oriented approach implying the increasing role of independent study
• Relevant assessment methods based on Miller's pyramid model including traditional (oral/written) examinations, MCQ testing, OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) and portfolio
• Meeting requirements set out in Global standards of medical education of World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

Student Assessment System

The students can earn/accumulate credits only in case of successful completion of the work described in the course syllabuses, after receiving a positive assessment.

The maximum grade per academic course is 100 points.

Positive assessments:

• (A) Excellent – 91 points and up
• (B) Very good – 81-90 points of the maximum assessment
• (C) Good – 71-80 points of the maximum assessment
• (D) Satisfactory – 61-70 points of the maximum assessment
• (E) Enough – 51-60 points of the maximum

Negative assessments:

• (FX) Didn’t pass – 41-50 points of the maximum assessments
• (F) Fail – 40 points or less of the maximum assessment.

Students with grade FX have the right to retake the final exam

Students with grade F must retake the course.

The student’s assessment takes place during the entire academic semester. Consequently, the student’s final assessment is the sum of interim assessments and final exam results.

Final examination maximum score is 40 of the total 100 points; the remaining 60 points are distributed according to interim assessments.

Only the students who have earned the minimal number of 25 points during the semester through interim assessments are allowed to take the final exam.

Students who do not have a compulsory minimum score (25) will not be admitted to the final examination. The minimum mandatory score for the final exam is 16.

The Master's thesis is assessed by the course evaluation system.

In order to determine the student's final rating and to encourage them to study well, the cumulative score, Grade Point Average* (GPA) is calculated at the end of the academic process (grade point average is also calculated at the end of each semester).

* Grade point average (GPA) is calculated as follows:

The points accumulated by the student in each course are multiplied by the number of credits for the specific course and then the total sum of these numbers is divided by the number of credits earned by the student.*

GAU Medical School Training Center

Georgian American University (GAU) Medical School Training Center was established in 2019 and serves as the simulation center for the GAU Medical School. In 2020 the training center became the International Training Center of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Authorized Training Center of the NAEMT (National Association of the Emergency Medical Technicians).

GAU Medical School Training Center offers training and educational courses for Georgian American University (GAU) Medical School students and every interested participant according to the modern methodology with current guidelines and recommendations.

We provide local and international certifications : Basic Life Support (BLS); Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS); Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) by AHA; Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS); First on the Scene (FOTS) and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) by NAEMT.

The guiding principle of the Training Center is to provide an innovative and comfortable learning environment that follows the best standards in education and training. The experienced team of instructors with international certifications and credentials provide the high quality simulation based training insuring clinical skills development and effective team dynamics in a safe environment.

Our Training Center advantages:

• Flexible training options
• Training at your facility (In House) or at our training center
• Training date selection options
• Experienced Instructors with international certificates
• Locally Certified & licensed Clinical Instructors
• Possibility to issue the certificates on the same day of training
• Group discounts available
• Discounts for students
• High-fidelity training equipment with feedback device
• Modern, updated teaching methods

Research at GAU Medical School

Research at the Georgian American University (GAU) Medical School is a core component of its academic mission, supporting the advancement of medical knowledge, innovation, and evidence-based practice. Integrated within the MD program and faculty activities, research at GAU promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, international engagement, and the development of critical scientific skills among students and academic staff.

The School fosters a dynamic research environment that addresses contemporary healthcare challenges through both fundamental and applied research. Its research activities are supported by dedicated institutional structures and international partnerships, ensuring alignment with global standards and active contribution to the European Research Area.

Interdisciplinary Research Unit (IRU-GAUMS)

• The Interdisciplinary Research Unit at GAU Medical School (IRU-GAUMS) serves as a platform for international and cross-disciplinary research collaboration. The Unit brings together Georgian and international researchers from leading European institutions.
• IRU-GAUMS integrates expertise across medicine, neuroscience, psychology, public health, social sciences, and digital technologies, enabling comprehensive approaches to complex health and societal challenges. The Unit plays a key role in strengthening international research partnerships and supporting the integration of Georgian researchers into the European Research Area.
• Through its collaborative framework, IRU-GAUMS enhances the visibility, impact, and innovation capacity of GAU Medical School’s research activities.

Biomedical Research Center (Institute)

• The Biomedical Research Center (Institute) is the principal scientific unit of GAU Medical School, responsible for conducting and supporting research in medicine and healthcare. The Center focuses on generating high-quality basic and clinical evidence, as well as addressing current and emerging issues in modern medical practice.
• The Center brings together experienced researchers and early-career scientists, creating a collaborative and academically rigorous environment. Medical students are actively involved in research projects under faculty supervision, contributing to the development of their analytical and scientific competencies.
• In addition to its research activities, the Center organizes local and international conferences, workshops, and academic events, supporting knowledge exchange and the dissemination of research findings.