Clinical Academic Promotion Review Committee (APRC) reviews: The APRC reviews student progress at least bimonthly to identify students at risk of not meeting performance/timeline standards for progress to the next rotation or for graduation. Students are sent notices and reminders of their requirements and referred to their academic advisors for monitoring and support.
When a student fails a clerkship component, the senior associate dean of clinical studies is notified. This initiates a structured advising and remediation process. The student and their clinical academic advisor from Clinical Academic Advising, Development, and Support (Clinical AADS) develop an individualized learning plan to address the identified deficiencies and reduce the risk of further failures in subsequent clerkships.
The APRC makes recommendations to the senior associate dean of clinical studies regarding a student progression, promotion, or dismissal. Students may be issued a reminder, notice, warning, or recommendation for dismissal from the Office of Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Studies (aprcsom@sgu.edu). These letters may require action by the student; failure to act on APRC requests or to fulfill APRC requirements may result in a recommendation for dismissal.
Letters may stipulate deadlines and requirements students must meet to continue in the MD Program, including mandatory advising meetings to discuss program requirements and standards, identify obstacles to progress, consider opportunities for improvement, and develop an individualized learning plan.
Students who fail a clerkship or clerkship component are also placed on Monitored Academic Status (MAS).
Recommendation for Dismissal During the Clinical Phase
The following criteria are used by the APRC to determine dismissal recommendations:
1. Failure to begin clinical rotations within 3 years of matriculation or within 3.5 years of matriculation if a student was granted additional time to complete the Basic Sciences.
2. Failure to make adequate progress to qualify for and begin the clinical phase such that less than 2 years remain on a student’s timeline for completing the Clinical Phase.
3. Failure to make adequate progress during the clinical phase such that completion of the MD Program within the maximum 6 years is impossible.
4. Failure to complete the MD program and fulfill requirements for graduation within 6 years of matriculation.
5. A second failure to earn a passing grade during the Clinical Studies. Only one F grade is allowed during the Clinical Phase (Year 3 and Year 4).
6. Failure to accept or comply with the terms of an APRC letter by the deadline(s) specified.
7. Failure to meet CAPPS stipulations after the CAPPS retains a student following an appeal of a recommendation for dismissal.
8. Failure to meet professional behavior standards.