The SOM sets high standards for academic progress within the MD Program. In order to maintain satisfactory academic progress, students must continually meet all grade, timeline and professional standards for progress, promotion and retention.

The Doctor of Medicine program is designed to be continuous with minimal interruption. Each term serves as a building block for subsequent terms. Prolonged breaks between terms disrupt the educational process and may adversely affect academic success; therefore, leaves of absence are discouraged.

Students are expected to complete the Doctor of Medicine program within four years of matriculation. There are instances when students extend their timelines up to a maximum six years in order to do research, participate in credit remediation or NBME study programs, repeat coursework, take an LOA, extend their Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam study time and/or complete additional rotations.

The Doctor of Medicine program is divided into two segments as follows: