# Washington University of Barbados

> Unaccredited medical school (defunct)

**Wikidata**: [Q29467820](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29467820)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_University_of_Barbados)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/washington-university-of-barbados

## Summary
Washington University of Barbados was a defunct, unaccredited medical school located in Barbados, founded in 2016. It operated without accreditation and ceased operations, with no verified closure date provided in available sources. The institution maintained an online presence through social media platforms before becoming inactive.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2016 in Barbados.
- Operated as an unaccredited medical school.
- Declared defunct, though no specific closure date is documented in provided sources.
- Maintained social media accounts: Twitter (@wubmed), Facebook (@washington.university.barbados), and Instagram (@washingtonuniversityofbarbados).
- Geographic coordinates: 13.0943° N, 59.47421° W.
- Alias: WUBMed.
- Associated with the Wikimedia Commons category "Washington University of Barbados".

## FAQs
### Q: Was Washington University of Barbados accredited?
A: No, the institution was explicitly noted as unaccredited. Accreditation status is critical for medical schools, as it affects graduate eligibility for licensure and residency programs.

### Q: When did Washington University of Barbados close?
A: The exact closure date is not specified in available sources, but it is confirmed as defunct. Its social media activity was last documented in 2020.

### Q: Where was the university located?
A: The university was based in Barbados, with coordinates 13.0943° N, 59.47421° W, though no specific campus address is provided in the source material.

## Why It Matters
Washington University of Barbados highlights concerns about unaccredited medical schools, which can mislead students about the validity of their degrees. Such institutions may lack rigorous curricula or clinical training opportunities, jeopardizing graduates' career prospects. Its existence underscores the importance of verifying accreditation status when pursuing medical education, as unaccredited programs risk non-recognition by professional bodies like the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). While the university itself had limited documented impact, its case serves as a cautionary example in discussions about educational accountability and student protection.

## Notable For
- Operating as an unaccredited medical school, a status that limited graduate career options.
- Maintaining an active social media presence (2016–2020) despite its non-accredited and eventual defunct status.
- Being based in Barbados, a country not typically associated with large numbers of offshore medical schools compared to nearby nations.

## Body
### Founding and History
Washington University of Barbados was established in 2016. The institution’s founding aligned with a broader trend of offshore medical schools targeting international students, particularly from the United States and Canada, who may face challenges securing admission to domestic programs.

### Accreditation Status
The university was not accredited by recognized accrediting agencies. This lack of accreditation would have restricted graduates’ ability to obtain medical licensure in many countries, as accreditation is a prerequisite for eligibility in critical examinations like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

### Closure
The institution is listed as defunct, though no specific closure date or reason is provided in available sources. Its social media activity ceased by 2020, and its website (wubmed.org) is no longer accessible as of the knowledge cutoff.

### Location
The university’s geographic coordinates (13.0943° N, 59.47421° W) place it in Barbados, a Caribbean nation. The absence of a verified campus address raises questions about its physical infrastructure and operational legitimacy.

### Online Presence
The institution utilized social media platforms for recruitment and communication:
- **Twitter**: @wubmed (created November 15, 2016, active until at least February 29, 2020).
- **Facebook**: @washington.university.barbados.
- **Instagram**: @washingtonuniversityofbarbados.
These accounts were referenced in 2019 but are no longer active as of the data cutoff.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.wubmed.org)