The National Universities Commission, NUC has upgraded some medical-related programmes in Nigerian universities from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral status.
A statement signed by NUC acting spokesperson, Franca Chukwuonwo says the decision was driven by the need to incorporate more clinical and practical sessions, improve foundational course coverage, enhance clinical skills, and address all speciality areas comprehensively.
The National Umiversities Commission, NUC, in the latest statement, says the upgrade of some medical-related programmes aligns with global best practices for training professionals in these fields.
The NUC notes that as part of the changes, the duration of the affected programmes has been extended from five to six years to accommodate additional courses and clinical services.
The programmes upgraded from Bachelors Degree to Doctor Status, which are found in NUC’s Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) and Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) include:
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D)
Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)
Optometry (O.D Doctor of Optometry).
However, the NUC noted that Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) programme does not exist in the NUC’s BMAS or CCMAS and thus has not been captured as an upgraded programme.
It notes consequently that MLSD is not an approved programme in the offerings of any Nigerian university.
Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
