The Clinical Curriculum

The clinical years of the SGU curriculum build upon the basic sciences to prepare students to care for patients in hospital and outpatient settings. During this phase of training, students develop clinical skills, professional behavior, and medical knowledge beyond that acquired during the basic sciences. Together, these experiences prepare students for postgraduate training and the practice of medicine.

The breadth and continual expansion of medical knowledge underscore the importance of lifelong learning. In addition to acquiring medical knowledge, students learn efficient methods for obtaining, interpreting, documenting, and communicating patient information, as well as systematic approaches to clinical reasoning and patient care. These skills provide a framework for integrating new scientific knowledge and applying it effectively throughout their professional careers.

Curriculum Structure

The current 80-week clinical curriculum includes 42 weeks of core rotations, 14 weeks of additional required rotations, and 24 weeks of electives. For students who began clinical training before August 2024, the Family Medicine requirement was 4–6 weeks. As a result, those students may have 12–14 weeks of additional required rotations and 24–26 weeks of electives.

Third Year

The core rotations define the third year of medical school and include 12 weeks each of Internal Medicine and Surgery and 6 weeks each of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, and Family Medicine/General Practice. Students who do not complete Family Medicine in the third year must complete it during their fourth year. The third year is a structured educational experience designed to provide comparable educational experiences for all students. The Office of Clinical Education Operations, in collaboration with the affiliated hospitals, manages third-year scheduling.

Fourth Year

The fourth year consists of 6 weeks of Family Medicine/General Practice (if not done in the third year), 4 weeks of a sub-internship, 4 weeks of an Internal Medicine rotation, and 24 weeks of electives of student choice. Students can schedule the fourth year based on their educational interests and career goals and are encouraged to consult their academic advisor or residency mentor when doing so.

Rotation Sequence

There is no optimal sequence of core rotations. They are generally completed before sub-internships and electives. On occasion, a hospital may schedule a primary care rotation or elective anytime during the third year. The listing below does not indicate the sequence of rotations. Core rotation schedules are determined by affiliated hospitals and the Office of Clinical Education Operations.

The sub-internship must be completed in a core specialty: Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, or Surgery. 

Neither an Emergency Medicine rotation nor any additional Family Medicine rotation satisfies the sub-internship requirement; however, either may count toward elective credit.