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Academic Success

Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for the MD Program

Students are expected to make continuous and successful academic progress toward graduation requirements. The concept of satisfactory academic progress mandates monitoring of a student's academic and professional performance through items including, but not limited to, grades recorded, the number of courses successfully completed, and timely passage of USMLE Step 1.
The Student Advancement Committee (SAC) reserves the right to review academic and professional progress of any student at any time. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress will result in additional review and possible action, including recommendation for immediate dismissal by the SAC to the Dean.

Federal regulations require that all students receiving Title IV funds maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to both qualitative and quantitative measures.

Qualitative Measure

Students receive grades of Pass or Fail in all courses within the first two years of the educational program, as well as in all selective and elective experiences of the third and fourth years of the program. Students receive grades of HonorsHigh PassPass, or Fail for all required third and fourth year clinical clerkships and acting internships. Students must pass all courses in an academic year to proceed to the next academic year. Should a student fail a course and fail to successfully remediate that course within a predetermined timeframe, the student may be granted an opportunity to repeat the course in its entirety during the following academic year. 

Quantitative Measure

The maximum timeframe in which a student must successfully complete the MD degree is 6 (six) years. Students must complete the First 100 Weeks in three (3) years and the Second 100 Weeks in three (30 years. In exceptional circumstances, the Dean may extend this six (6) year period.

Should a student fail a course and successfully remediate that course within a predetermined timeframe, the student is considered to be in good academic standing. 

Probation and Eligibility

Students are expected to pass 100% of courses leading to the MD degree. Should a student not successfully pass two-thirds (66.7%) of the student's coursework during an academic year, the student will become ineligible to receive Title IV funding. Should this occur, the student is permitted to file an appeal. If granted, the student will be placed on probation. The probationary period will not extend beyond the next "term" or payment period. A student is eligible to receive Title IV funding during the probationary period. If it is determined by the Student Advancement Committee that during the probationary period the student's academic standing is consistent with the School's requirements for graduation, the student is considered to be in good academic standing. Should it be determined that during the probationary period the student's academic standing is inconsistent with the School's requirements for graduation, the student will become ineligible to receive Title IV funding.

Change of Program

If a student transfers from the MD program to an alternate academic program at the School of Medicine, any coursework accepted to fulfill requirements of the new program will be counted as attempted and completed coursework when calculating Satisfactory Academic progress.

Notification

The Student Advancement Committee, with the approval of the Dean, shall notify the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Director of Student Finance when a student is not making satisfactory academic progress. The Director of Student Finance shall notify students placed on probation and/or who have become ineligible for financial aid. At this time, the Director of Student Finance will notify the student that the student may appeal the decision.

References to Regulations and/or Other Related Policies
Policy on Academic Advancement and Graduation
Policy on the Composition and Authority of the Student Advancement Committee
Grading Policies
LCME Element 9.9: Student Advancement and Appeal Process
LCME Element 10.3: Policies Regarding Student Selection/Progress and their Dissemination

Last Updated: July 2020


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