Columbia Internal Medicine Residency FAQ & Resources
Join the Program
Find us in ERAS as: Medical University of South Carolina Regional Network (Columbia) Program – Accreditation ID: 1404500010
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we only accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS).
Yes, all of our positions are offered through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
Yes, the deadline for applications is December 31, 2026.
No, we are unable to sponsor H-1B visas at this time.
Yes, we will accept candidates with J1 visas. For more information, please visit the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates website.
Yes, we do accept applications, but you must provide documentation of your successful completion of USMLE Step 2 or COMLEX Level 2 by the NRMP’s Rank Order List Certification Deadline.
No, but due to the current immigration environment, we prefer that you are ECFMG certified.
No, we are unable to offer any observerships or externships at this time.
Yes, the State of South Carolina has extensive programs to try and recruit and retain primary care providers.
Retention support for graduates falls into two buckets:
- MUSC Retention Pathways
Continued employment with MUSC after graduation: MUSC Primary Care (where graduates find clinical positions and continuity-of-care opportunities) and MUSC HR (where employment, benefits, and retention incentives are managed). - Loan Repayment Programs
For graduates practicing primary care in SC AHEC service areas: the SC AHEC Rural Provider Incentive Program.
While not required, it is strongly encouraged.
All programs in the MUSC Health Graduate Medical Education Regional Network share the same salary scale. You can find the current salary for each PGY year on our Salary & Benefits section.
Residents receive full MUSC Health insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and conference days, along with many other benefits. The full list is on our Salary & Benefits section.
Each year we offer eight categorical PGY-1 positions.
Interviews are virtual with an in-person second look opportunity.
No overnight call, as night float is utilized (one 4-week block per training year). Moonlighting is not permitted.
We are committed to attracting and retaining the best candidates for our program without regard for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
The program requires one scholarly activity, along with a QI project.
Application Timeline
| Month | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September | ERAS opens, with review of applications when released to programs by ERAS. |
| October | Virtual Interviews. |
| November | Virtual Interviews. |
| December | Virtual Interviews. First in-person second-look event. |
| January | Virtual Interviews. Second in-person second-look event. |
| February | Rank list finalized and submitted. |
| March | Supplemental Match if any unfilled positions. Match Day. |
| April – June | Preliminary onboarding of matched candidates. On-site orientation at the end of June. |
Interview Format
Initial interviews are performed virtually over a half-day with at least two faculty interviews. Second-look in-person visits will be offered on a limited number of dates for interested candidates.
MUSC Retention Pathways
The MUSC Health Graduate Medical Education Regional Network exists not only to train residents, but to help close the gap in care across South Carolina, where rural and underserved communities have far fewer physicians than they need. Our hope is that our graduates will stay and serve these communities, and there are several ways to continue your career with MUSC Health after residency.
MUSC Primary Care
Explore open primary care positions across MUSC Health for physicians completing their training.
MUSC HR
Find employment and benefits information for MUSC Health team members.
Loan Repayment Programs
South Carolina offers financial incentives for physicians who practice in rural and underserved communities after residency.
SC AHEC Rural Provider Incentive Program
Administered by South Carolina AHEC, this program provides financial incentives for primary care physicians who commit to practice in a rural or underserved area of South Carolina for up to four years.
Resources
- Regional Residency Hub
- Program Resources
- Resident Resources
- MedHub (residency management platform: work hours, evaluations, scheduling)
