BREAKING: NUC Upgrades Medical-Related Programs to Doctoral Status In Nigerian Universities

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has elevated certain medical-related undergraduate programs in Nigerian universities from a Bachelor’s degree to a doctoral level.

This development was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the NUC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Franca Chukwuonwo.

Reason for the Upgrade
The commission explained that the decision was driven by the need to:

Incorporate more clinical and practical sessions.
Broaden foundational course coverage.
Enhance the clinical skills of students.
Address all specialty areas comprehensively.
This move, the NUC noted, aligns with global best practices for training professionals in these fields, ensuring Nigerian graduates remain competitive internationally.

Extended Program Duration
As part of the upgrade, the duration of the affected programs has been extended from five years to six years. The additional time will allow for expanded coursework and more comprehensive clinical training to better prepare students for professional practice.

Upgraded Programs
According to the statement, the following programs have been upgraded to doctoral status as outlined in the NUC’s Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) and Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS):

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D)
Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)
Doctor of Optometry (O.D).

These programs, now restructured to include advanced clinical sessions, aim to elevate the quality of education and professional readiness in the healthcare sector.

The NUC assured stakeholders that these changes are part of ongoing efforts to improve the standard of education in Nigeria, especially in critical sectors such as healthcare, and to produce graduates who meet international professional standards.