Criteria for Graduation*

Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine must have completed the full course of study for this degree within 6 years of original matriculation in the School of Medicine and must be certified by the faculty as having successfully met all of the criteria. These include satisfactory completion of the preclinical courses of the first two years, 52 weeks of required core clinical clerkships/selectives, attendance at all Clinical Connections, successful completion of Life-Saving Techniques Workshop and other designated required meetings or courses (e.g., DX-RX: Healthcare System), participation in the Clinical Practice Exam and satisfactory completion of 32 elective credits, including an ACE (Advanced Clinical Elective). In addition, the student must take and pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before beginning their clinical years. Students must take both USMLE Step 2 CK and CS after completing all core clerkships and before December 30 of their fourth year in order to remain on the May graduation list and in order to participate in NRMP match. Students must pass USMLE Step 2 CK. Passing USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) is required for licensure, but not for graduation. Students may attempt Step 1 and Step 2 a total of 3 times each within 12 calendar months. Students not passing USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt will be given 4-6 weeks for review before retaking the exam. If students do not pass Step 1 on the second attempt they will be placed in Special Studies status and allowed to take the exam a final time within 12 months of the initial administration. Furthermore, students must demonstrate those professional attitudes and behaviors that form the foundation upon which the practice of medicine rests. The elements of these attitudes and behaviors include altruism, accountability, honor, integrity, humanism, commitment to service, and striving for excellence.

* MD/PhD students reference MSTP policy

to Student Handbook