STUDENT ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL STANDING POLICY

ACADEMIC STANDING 

Categories of academic standing in the School of Medicine are defined as follows:

Good Academic Standing

Students are considered in “good standing” if they meet all the criteria below:

  1. No unremediated course or clerkship failures
  2. Successful completion of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK requirements within the timelines defined in the Exam Administration and Procedures policy.
  3. Not under any formal disciplinary review by the Committee on Promotions and Honors

Academic Monitoring

Students are considered under “academic monitoring” if one or more of the following applies to them:

  1. One course or clerkship failure, withdrawal or incomplete due to academic reasons
  2. Failure of USMLE Step 1, Step 2CK, or Clinical Performance Examination (CPX)
  1. Students at risk for not completing the requirements for the MD degree

Students under “academic monitoring” are considered “not in good standing.” Students who are “not in good standing” or have a Professionalism form on file should be aware that this may affect their ability to take rotations at affiliate sites, enroll in a dual-degree program, and/or engage in certain extramural programs. Additionally, students may be ineligible for holding leadership positions or receiving merit-based awards, honors society memberships, or scholarships. The “academic monitoring” designation is not recorded on the academic transcript; noted in the medical student performance evaluation (Dean’s letter); or reported to medical staff committees, specialty boards, medical licensing authorities, or regulatory agencies, unless otherwise required by law. However, students requiring a letter of good standing will not be issued such letter until this academic designation is removed. This designation can be removed under the following circumstances:

  • Successful passing of a previously failed, withdrawn or incomplete course or clerkship
  • Passing a failed USMLE Step 1 or Step 2CK within the timelines as defined in the Exam Administration and Procedures policy
  • Satisfactory resolution of Committee on Promotions and Honors disciplinary review 

Formal Disciplinary Actions: Academic Warning, Probation, Suspension, and Involuntary Administrative Leave  

Students will be referred to the Committee on Promotions and Honors for disciplinary review and possible formal disciplinary action (warning, probation, suspension, or involuntary administrative leave) if any of the following occurs:

  1. A total of two course or clerkship failures or withdrawals due to academic reasons
  2. Failure to pass USMLE Step 1 within one year of the student’s last day of their second-year curriculum
  3. Failure to pass USMLE Step 2CK by the deadlines set by the Exam Administration and Procedures Policy
  4. Two failed attempts to pass UMSLE Step 1 or Step 2CK
  5. Professional incident report(s) submitted to the Committee on Promotions and Honors that are determined to constitute a serious episode of unprofessional conduct, pattern of unprofessional behavior, and/or violation of the School of Medicine Honor Code
  6. Circumstances deemed potentially harmful or serious to others as determined by the Committee on Promotions and Honors

Students under formal disciplinary action are considered “not in good standing.” A “warning” may be recorded on the academic transcript and noted in the medical student performance evaluation (Dean’s letter) subject to the discretion of the Committee on Promotions and Honors. All other formal disciplinary actions (probation, suspension, and involuntary administrative leave) will be recorded on the academic transcript and noted in the medical student performance evaluation (Dean’s letter). All formal disciplinary actions are reported to medical staff committees, specialty boards, medical licensing authorities, and regulatory agencies upon their request or as required by law. Resolution of formal disciplinary actions will be determined by the Committee on Promotions and Honors

Dismissal

Students will be referred to the Committee on Promotions and Honors for disciplinary review and possible dismissal if any of the following occurs:

  • Three individual course or clerkship failures
  • Failure to successfully repeat a course or clerkship after a previous failure
  • Failure to successfully complete the School of Medicine CPX
  • Failure to meet the School of Medicine requirements for passing Step 1 and Step 2CK of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) (refer to the Exam Administration and Procedures policy)
  • Failure to meet the requirements for graduation with the MD degree
  • Insufficient time remaining to complete the Requirements for the MD Degree within the maximum time limit stipulated by this policy
  • A documented pattern of unprofessional conduct
  • Engaging in an unapproved leave of absence (defined as failure to enroll in a course, clerkship, or elective each term without written approval by the Associate Dean for Students)
  • Violations of policies including, but not limited to the following: Violation of School of Medicine Honor Code and Professionalism policy, School of Medicine Alcohol and Substance Abuse policy, or violations of UCI Code of Student Conduct policies
  • Violations of any state or federal law, including, but not limited to convictions of violating such laws, or the filing of criminal charges against the student by any state or federal agency
  • Refusal of UCI School of Medicine affiliated training sites, at their sole discretion, to host a medical student that results in their inability to meet their requirements for graduation.
  • Circumstances deemed potentially harmful or serious to others as determined by the Committee on Promotions and Honors.

A formal dismissal is recorded on the academic transcript; and reported to medical staff committees, specialty boards, medical licensing authorities, and regulatory agencies upon their request or as required by law.

Refer to the due process policy for details on the investigation, hearing and appeals procedures for disciplinary actions.

 

RELATED POLICIES, FORMS AND LINKS

 

Last Approved by SOM Committee on Promotions and Honors: November 4, 2024