Community-Based. Mission-Focused.
Our Mission
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is committed to educating exemplary physicians and scholars, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing service at home and abroad. We enhance our communities by providing outstanding primary and specialty care, promoting the dignity and inclusion of all people, and responding to the needs of the medically underserved.
Our Philosophy
A major focus of our mission is to educate physicians who want to work with underserved populations (rural, inner city), particularly within Michigan.
The College of Human Medicine was ranked sixth of 141 U.S. medical schools for our overall social mission of graduating MDs from minority backgrounds, who practice in primary care or who work in underserved areas. As a community-focused medical school, we believe in exposing our students to real world medicine and diverse populations that match the public health challenges faced by all physicians in the medical profession. Our innovative Shared Discovery Curriculum reflects this philosophy and vision.
Read: MSU College of Human Medicine Diversity and Inclusion Statements
Community-Based Medicine
The College of Human Medicine is the nation's pioneer in community-based medical education. Blending the strengths of community-based medicine with the power of scientific discovery that comes with being part of a Big Ten research university, the college is uniquely positioned to provide students with comprehensive training in clinical settings that most closely parallel the environment in which many physicians practice.
The college’s footprint spans the state of Michigan: Clinical practice, medical education, and research take place across eight community campuses through affiliations with over 90 inpatient institutions, local hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers. These community campuses are located in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Midland Regional, Southeast Michigan, Traverse City, and the Upper Peninsula Region.
Cooperative Environment 
At the College of Human Medicine, the emphasis is on cooperation, not competition. Our students work closely together throughout their four years of medical school. Students, faculty, and staff pride themselves on the cooperative and supportive atmosphere that exists here.
Primary and Specialty Care
Our historical roots are founded in educating primary care physicians for the state of Michigan. As the college has evolved, its mission has broadened. While it is true that many graduates choose to pursue a career in primary care, our students also pursue careers in medical specialties. In fact, there have been graduating classes where more than half of all graduates entered specialty residencies.