M.D. Program Technical Standards for Admission, Retention, Promotion, and Graduation
The medical degree awarded by the College of Medicine at the completion of the undergraduate medical education process certifies that the graduate has acquired a broad base of knowledge, skills, and attitudes requisite to the practice of medicine. To achieve this end, all courses in the curriculum must be completed successfully. The technical (non-academic) standards listed here are required for admission, retention, promotion, and graduation and are intended to insure that candidates, with or without reasonable accommodation, can fully participate in all parts of the curriculum.
Essential abilities and characteristics required for completion of the MD degree consist of certain minimum physical and cognitive abilities and sufficient mental and emotional stability to assure that candidates for admission, retention, promotion, and graduation are able to complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of medical training. The College of Medicine intends for its graduates to become competent and compassionate physicians who are capable of entering residency training (graduate medical education) and meeting all requirements for medical licensure. The avowed intention of an individual student to practice only a narrow part of clinical medicine, or to pursue a non-clinical career, does not alter the requirement that all medical students take and achieve competence in the full curriculum required by the faculty. For purposes of this document and unless otherwise defined, the term "candidate" means candidates for admission to medical school as well as medical students who are candidates for retention, promotion or graduation.
The College of Medicine has a societal responsibility to train competent healthcare providers and scientists who demonstrate critical judgment, extensive knowledge and well-honed technical skills. Although students learn and work under the supervision of the faculty, students interact with patients throughout their medical school education. Patient safety and wellbeing are therefore major factors in establishing requirements involving the physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities of candidates for admission, promotion, and graduation. The essential abilities and characteristics described herein are also referred to as technical standards. They are described below in several broad categories including: observation; communication; motor/tactile function and coordination; intellectual abilities - conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and social and behavioral attributes. Candidates must adhere to universal precaution measures and meet safety standards applicable to inpatient and outpatient settings and other professional activities. Individuals whose performance is impaired by use of alcohol or other substances are not suitable candidates for admission, retention, promotion or graduation.
Delineation of technical standards is required for the accreditation of U.S. medical schools by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The following abilities and characteristics are defined as technical standards, are requirements for admission, retention, promotion, and graduation. Candidates and current students who have questions regarding the technical standards or who believe they may need to request reasonable accommodation(s) in order to meet the standards are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services.