Promotion Policy from Pre-Clinical Program to the 4 Year MD Program

I. Purpose

This policy outlines the academic and nonacademic requirements for promotion from the Pre-Clinical Program to the Basic Sciences phase of the 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, and defines the review process and outcomes for students who do not meet required standards.
 

II. Scope

This policy applies to all students enrolled in Year 3 of the Pre-Clinical Program seeking promotion to the 4-Year MD program.

III. Definitions

The Pre-Clinical Program consists of three years of study prior to entry into the 4-Year MD program.

Students may be admitted at different entry points based on qualifications:

• Entry to year 1: completion of 3 years of the pre-clinical program (7 year MD track).
• Entry to year 2: completion of 2 years of the pre-clinical program (6 year MD track).
• Entry to year 3: completion of 1 year of the pre-clinical program (5 year MD track).

IV. Promotion Requirements from pre-clinical to 4 MD

Pre-Clinical students must meet both academic and nonacademic standards to be eligible for promotion to the 4-Year MD program. All students are reviewed by the Academic Performance Review Committee (APRC).   

1. Students must achieve the following minimum academic thresholds:

• Year 3 Weighted Mean Percentage Grade (Science WMPG) ≥ 80% 
• Year 3 Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.2 
• Year 3 Science GPA ≥ 2.75

2. Students must successfully pass the Pre-clinical Science Comprehensive Examination (PCSCE).

V. Failure to Meet Academic Requirements

The APRC evaluates students who do not meet promotion thresholds.

Students who have: 

• Year 3 WMPG < 80%
• Cumulative GPA < 3.2
• Science GPA < 2.75

The APRC may permit such students to repeat one or more courses to achieve required thresholds.

Course repeat policy:

• A course may be repeated only once
• The highest grade for a repeated course will be used for cumulative grading calculations 
• The CAPPS may permit the repeat of previously passed courses to improve cumulative WMPG/GPA 
• Students must enroll in a minimum of 15 credits and a maximum of 20 credits during repeat coursework
• Students repeating coursework will be placed on Monitored Academic Status (MAS).
• A student who fails any repeated course will be recommended for dismissal and may appeal in accordance with institutional appeal procedures (CAPPS).

VI. Pre-Clinical Science Comprehensive Examination (PCSCE)

1. Students must pass both components of the PCSCE to be eligible for promotion (MCQ + written (essay)).
2. Students may sit the PCSCE a maximum of two times.
3. The PCSCE is administered only on scheduled, published examination dates.
4. Failure on the second attempt will result in a recommendation for dismissal.

VII. Nonacademic and Professional Standards

Students are expected to maintain professionalism standards consistent with the expectations of the medical profession and the School of Medicine.

Students not in good standing due to:

• Non-compliance with course or program policies 
• Unprofessional behavior 
• Any upheld judicial or disciplinary action 

The APRC may determine outcomes including:

• Dismissal 
• Denial of promotion to the 4-Year MD program 
• Promotion to the 4-Year MD program on Monitored Academic Status (MAS)

VIII. Authority

Office of the Senior Associate Dean of Basic Sciences for the School of Medicine; reviewed every 3 years.

IX. Version History

0426001