Continuous Enrollment Policy

PURPOSE
To inform students of the need for continuous enrollment or appropriate leave documentation in order to complete their M.D. degree within the required time frame. (See References, Regulation 60)

AUDIENCE
All medical students

LCME STANDARD
9.9 Student Advancement and Appeal Process  

POLICY

DEFINITIONS

  • eFlight: The School’s online registration tool for students in the post-clerkship phase.
  • Enrollment: The courses and units/credits that appear on a student's academic schedule after registration is complete.
  • Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP). A term for a formal and documented event allowing students to take a pause in enrollment and academic work while guaranteeing return to their academic program to resume their studies.
    • The UC Davis School of Medicine (i.e., the School) allows continuing enrolled students to request PELP for medical, personal and academic reason, and to pursue research outside UC Davis or complete a non-UCD degree.
    • Students are not enrolled in the School during the leave.
    • This is reported to AAMC and future credentialing agencies.
  • Non-PELP: A term for a formal and documented event allowing students to be away for at least one quarter.
    • Typically used for UC Davis dual-degree students as students will be enrolled at UC Davis but not in the School of Medicine during this time.
    • This is reported to AAMC and future credentialing agencies.
  1. Students must be enrolled in coursework or on an official leave of absence (PELP or Non-PELP) every term until their degrees are awarded.
  2. Medical student enrollment status is always classified as full-time; the School does not offer part-time status.
  3. Students are required to clear holds on their account that would prevent registration, including holds for tuition and fees, before the start of each quarter. (See References, Related Policies)
  4. If a student is not enrolled in the School and has not filed leave paperwork by the 10th day of instruction for the quarter, the student may be administratively withdrawn from the University.
    • If administratively withdrawn, the student will need to apply to the School for readmission.

PROCEDURE

  1. With information from the Curriculum Managers and the Office of Academic Support and Individual Success (OASIS), the Registrar's Office is responsible for ensuring students are enrolled in the correct coursework during the Pre-clerkship and Clerkship phase.
    1. Pre-Clerkship phase students: The Registrar’s Office will enroll students in courses per direction from the Curriculum Office.
    2. Clerkship phase students: As appropriate, the Curriculum Office or OASIS will process enrollment through eFlight on the student's behalf based on the determined phase schedule.
      • The Registrar's Office enrolls students into the official student information system, Banner, per the information listed in eFlight.
  2. Post-Clerkship phase students are responsible for completing their own enrollment through eFlight.
    1. The post-clerkship phase curriculum staff oversee this process.
    2. The Registrar's Office staff enroll students into the official student information system, Banner, per the information listed in eFlight.
  3. Curriculum Managers also work with the Associate Dean for Students and/or the Committee on Student Promotions to create modified curricula for students who get off track due to course or exam failures or other academic issues.
  4. If a student is in violation of Policy D, they will be contacted by the Registrar's Office that they are out of compliance with this policy and will be provided with a set amount of time to resolve enrollment.
    • If enrollment is not resolved within the stated amount of time, Policy D will be enacted and the student will be notified of the administrative withdrawal by the Registrar's Office.

RESPONSIBILITY
Registrar’s Office
Curriculum Managers

REFERENCES
UC Davis M.D. Program Registrar's Office - Forms, Leave Descriptions (PDF)
UC Davis School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Regulation 60

RELATED POLICIES
Holds and Registration Blocks Policy
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Student Leave Policy
Tuition and Fee Payment Policy

POLICY OWNER
Registrar’s Office

REVIEWED BY
Registrar’s Office*
Curriculum Managers

REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
August 2026; 3-year review cycle

* Indicates the Policy Owner