The Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MHME) is responsible for higher education in medical and related programs. The Ministry has jurisdiction over 21 universities as well as 12 Colleges of Medical Sciences as follows:

Universities of Medical Sciences authorized by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education:

• Tehran University of Medical Sciences
• Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences *
• Shiraz University of Medical Sciences *
• Isfahan University of Medical Sciences *
• Mashhad University of Medical Sciences *
• Tabriz University of Medical Sciences *
• Shahid Baabaa-ei (Ghazvin) University of Medical Sciences
• Shahid Sadooghi (Yazd) University of Medical Sciences
• Iran University of Medical Sciences
• Baakhtaran University of Medical Sciences
• Zahedan University of Medical Sciences
• Kerman University of Medical Sciences
• Uroomieh University of Medical Sciences
• Boo-Ali Sina University of Medical Sciences
• Bandar Abbass University of Medical Sciences
• Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
• Gilan University of Medical Sciences
• Maazandaran University of Medical Sciences
• Zanjan University of Medical Sciences
• Semnan University of Medical Sciences
• Arak University of Medical Sciences

  * These universities are listed in appendix A.

Colleges of Medical Sciences:

• Eilaam College of Medical Sciences
• Birjand College of Medical Sciences
• Yaasooj College of Medical Sciences
• Sabzevar College of Medical Sciences
• Jahrom College of Medical Sciences
• Baabol College of Medical Sciences
• Booshehr College of Medical Sciences
• Sanandaj College of Medical Sciences
• Fasa College of Medical Sciences
• Kaashan College of Medical Sciences
• Lorestan College of Medical Sciences
• Gonaabad College of Medical Sciences

Admission to all programs is based on the results of the KONKUR. Each university is assigned a
community practice area which consists of a district health network up to 100 km from the university.
Although degree and diploma programs are offered on full-time basis, these may be either "continuous"
or "discontinuous". There are minimum and maximum time periods for the completion of all programs.
The Ministry awards Associate Diplomas as well as B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees and provides
training in at least 68 medical specialties. These programs and specialties are listed as follows:

Associate Diploma (A.D.) : 2 years

• Dental Prothesis Technician
• Dental Nursing
• Oral Health Technician
• Speech Therapy
• Prosthetics
• Medical Documentation
• Audiometry

Associate Diploma (A.D.) : 2.5 years

• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Nutrition
• Anaesthesia Technician
• Occupational Health
• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Radiology
• Radiotherapy

*Graduates of these programs and graduates of all 2.5 year programs may go on to a further 2 year
program leading to a B.Sc. (Discontinuous) or a 5 year M.Sc. (Discontinuous).

Bachelors of Science (B.Sc.) : 4 years

• Nursing
• Nutrition
• Food Sciences and Technology
• Physiotherapy
• Ergotherapy
• Hospital Administration
• Midwifery
• Prosthetics
• Optometry
• Audiometry
• Speech Therapy

Graduates may go on to two year program leading to an M.Sc.

Professional Doctorate : 7-8 years

• General Medical Doctorate (M.D.)
• General Dentistry Doctorate
• General Pharmacy Doctorate

Specialization following these degrees is 3-5 years in Medicine, 3-4 years in Dentistry,
and 3-4.5 years in Pharmacy.