Extending the MD Program for Non-Required Academic Enrichment Policy

PURPOSE
To outline the steps required for students who are considering extending the M.D. program to pursue non-required academic experiences including but not limited to pursuing an additional degree.     

AUDIENCE
All medical students

LCME STANDARD
10.3 Policies Regarding Student Selection/Progress and Their Dissemination  

POLICY

  1. The School of Medicine is supportive of students extending their program for a year or in some cases longer.
  2. Planned extensions are best suited to take place between the clerkship and post-clerkship phases and are strongly discouraged between the pre-clerkship and clerkship phases. Students will be responsible for the Graduation Requirements of the Class that they will join upon their return.
  3. All students who interrupt medical school prior to the start of the clerkship phase are required to complete all the requirements for the pre-clerkship phase of medical school and pass the USMLE Step 1 prior to starting their non-required academic experience.
  4. All students who interrupt medical school prior to the start of the post-clerkship phase are required to complete all of the requirements of the pre-clerkship and clerkship phase of medical school, complete the USMLE Step 2 CK exam and complete the required Clinical Performance Exam (CPX) activity prior to starting their non-required academic experience. (The UC Davis M.D./Ph.D. Training Program students are an exception to this; see item F.)
  5. When returning to medical school, all students are required to complete their second degree (or academic enrichment) coursework and be in “filed to graduate status” (for their second degree) prior to enrolling in either the required clerkship phase or post-clerkship phase (except for elective clinical didactic experiences), for medical school. Exceptions to this must be approved by the Committee on Student Promotions (CSP).
  6. UC Davis M.D./Ph.D. Training Program: Students in the UC Davis M.D./Ph.D. training program, an established and preapproved dual degree program, must fulfill the requirements for both the M.D. and the Ph.D. degrees. Students apply to graduate programs at the beginning of their 2nd year of medical school. The typical M.D./Ph.D. student begins their Ph.D. training in the graduate program after completing all the requirements of the pre-clerkship phase of medical school and passing the USMLE step 1 examination. The completion of the Ph.D. graduate program typically takes four years. After completion of the Ph.D. degree requirements and thesis submission, the M.D./Ph.D. students enter a structured transition into the clinical training stage of medical school, subsequently completing the clerkship and post-clerkship phases of the medical school curriculum.

PROCEDURE

  1. Students must notify the Dean of Students (and/or their designee) as soon as they are considering a request to extend their medical education for any of the above reasons and no later than 6 months before the start of the medical school academic year that they otherwise would have been enrolled in.
  2. Students must schedule a meeting to discuss their extension with the Dean of Students (and/or their designee) and be prepared to discuss the following:
    1. The specific program they are considering (name, duration, geographic location and exact start date
    2. The rationale for enrolling in such a program for their career path
    3. How they plan on supporting themselves financially (including having health insurance) during this time
    4. Their understanding of the implications of interruption of their medical education on their trajectory through medical school (student must have reviewed this with the Pre-Clerkship and/or Clerkship curriculum managers and the Registrar prior to their meeting with the Dean)
  3. After students get verbal approval from the Dean of Students (and/or their designee), if they decide on pursuing this option, they will need to complete School of Medicine leave paperwork.
    1. Students will need to meet with the School of Medicine Registrar to determine the type of leave they are requesting and eligibility)
    2. The paperwork must be completed and returned to the School of Medicine Registrar prior to the starting term of their approved leave
    3. Leave paperwork requires authorization from the appropriate Curriculum Manager, Financial Aid Office, the Registrar’s Office and the Dean of Students (and/or their designee)
  4. The relevant Curriculum Manager may require an in-person meeting to review this plan to address all graduation requirements and to review the steps necessary to transition back to medical school.

    RESPONSIBILITY
    Associate Dean of Students

    REFERENCES
    UC Davis School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Regulation 60: Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Medicine

    POLICY OWNER
    Associate Dean of Students

    REVIEWED BY
    Associate Dean of Students*
    Committee on Student Promotions
    M.D./Ph.D. Program Director

    REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
    February 2021; 3-year cycle