USC: School of Medicine Bulletin

Revised November 2008

Rule of Academic Responsibility

All students enrolled in the School of Medicine are members of the student body of the University of South Carolina and are, therefore, subject to the regulations found in the Carolina Community, a publication of the University's Division of Student and Alumni Services. The Carolina Community contains a description of the procedures for administration of the Rule of Academic Responsibility and other University policies. Questions regarding these policies may be directed to personnel in the School of Medicine Office of Student Services.

Students enrolled in the School of Medicine adhere to the University Rule of Academic Responsibility, as follows: It is the responsibility of every student at the University of South Carolina to adhere steadfastly to truthfulness and to avoid dishonesty, fraud, or deceit of any type in connection with any academic program. Any student who violates this rule or who knowingly assists another to violate this rule shall be subject to discipline. A violation of the Rule of Academic Responsibility may result in suspension or dismissal from the School of Medicine.

Student Conduct and Behavior

Students enrolled in the School of Medicine should conduct themselves in an appropriately professional manner as defined by the School of Medicine Policy on Evaluation of Personal and Professional Conduct. Conduct should be in conformity with the high moral and ethical standards of the profession as well as within the legal constraints of any law-abiding community.

Policy on Evaluation of Personal and Professional Conduct

Medical students have the responsibility to maintain the highest levels of personal and professional integrity and to show compassion and respect for themselves, colleagues, faculty, staff, and, most important, the patients who participate in their education.

Evaluation of the personal and professional conduct of medical students will include the following general and specific considerations:

1. The student will show concern for the welfare of patients. He or she will:

a. display a professional attitude in obtaining medical histories and physical examinations;

b. act appropriately and respectfully in all verbal and nonverbal interactions with patients;

c. treat patients with respect and dignity, both in the presence of patients and in discussions with professional colleagues; and

d. display concern for the total patient.

2. The student will show concern for the rights of others. He or she will:

a. demonstrate a considerate manner and cooperative spirit in dealing with professional staff, colleagues, and members of the health-care team;

b. treat all persons encountered in a professional capacity with equality regardless of race, religion, sex, handicap, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status; and

c. assume an appropriate and equitable share of duties among peers and colleagues.

3. The student will show evidence of responsibility to duty. He or she will:

a. effectively and promptly undertake duties, follow through until their completion, and notify appropriate persons in authority of problems;

b. be punctual and present at rounds, conferences, and all academic and clinical obligations;

c. notify course and clinical clerkship directors (or other appropriate persons) of absence or inability to attend to duties;

d. see assigned patients regularly and, with appropriate supervision, assume responsibility for their care; and

e. ensure that he or she can be promptly located at all times when on duty.

4. The student will be trustworthy. He or she will:

a. be truthful and intellectually honest in all communications;

b. accept responsibility and establish priorities for meeting multiple professional demands and for completing work necessary for the optimal care of patients;

c. accurately discern when supervision or advice is needed before acting; and

d. maintain confidentiality of all patient information.

5. The student will maintain a professional demeanor. He or she will:

a. maintain appropriate standards of personal appearance, attire, and hygiene for the patient population served;

b. maintain emotional stability and equilibrium under the pressures of emergencies, fatigue, professional stress, or personal problems; and

c. be responsible in the use of alcohol and prescription drugs and avoid their effects while on duty.

6. The student will possess those individual characteristics required for the practice of medicine. He or she will:

a. be capable of making logical diagnostic and therapeutic judgments;

b. communicate effectively with patients, supervisors, and peers;

c. establish appropriate professional relationships with faculty, colleagues, and patients; and

d. show evidence of the ability to be perceptive, introspective, and insightful in professional relationships.

Curriculum

The School of Medicine is dedicated to the goals of preparing students in the art and science of medicine and providing students with a background for further postgraduate training in a variety of fields of medicine. The curriculum is designed to promote professional growth and a compassionate response to patients' needs, to assist students in understanding the complexity of patient care, and to provide students with a perspective on the role of medicine in society.

The four-year curriculum consists of basic science courses and clerkships in applied clinical medicine. All students are required to complete a specific set of courses during the four years, except as noted under "Course Exemptions." Elective opportunities are presented throughout the curriculum to assist students in pursuing their individual interests and career goals.

Basic Sciences (Years 1 and 2)

During the first two years of medical school, students study a core curriculum of those basic sciences and clinical disciplines necessary for an understanding of the structure and function of human systems. During the first year, students gain a basic understanding of normal structure and function. During the second year, emphasis is placed on microbiology, pathology, and general therapeutic principles. Throughout the first two years, clinical correlations to basic science material are integral components of the curriculum, as is the four-semester Introduction to Clinical Medicine course continuum. Interdisciplinary material on such subjects as nutrition, substance abuse, ethics and professionalism, ultrasonography, genetics, and geriatrics is also presented. The main goal of the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course continuum and clinical correlations is to provide students with clinical background and skills in preparation for clinical clerkships in the third and fourth years. All Introduction to Clinical Medicine courses are based upon a comprehensive knowledge of basic science material.

Clinical Clerkships (Years 3 and 4)

Clerkship experiences in the third year of medical school include rotations of eight weeks each in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and pediatrics, six weeks each in family medicine and obstetrics/gynecology, and two two-week elective opportunities. The fourth year includes required four-week rotations in medicine, surgery, neurology, and an acting internship, as well as Capstone, a two-week program of interdepartmental and interdisciplinary material designed to prepare students for the transition to residency training. The four-week acting internship is carried out in one of the six core clinical specialties. The remainder of the fourth year is devoted to an elective program that permits flexibility and the pursuit of individual interests. The learning experience is enhanced by direct contact with patients in which students actively participate in the clinical setting. Emphasis is placed on the correlation of basic science material and clinical material. This correlation is further promoted by means of tutorial seminars, lectures, and small group discussions.

Electives

First-year and second-year students may take noncredit elective courses that provide supplemental educational experiences in areas of special interest. For information about this program, contact the School of Medicine director of enrollment services/registrar.

The School of Medicine has an elective catalog for third and fourth-year students. These electives are listed by department in the "Course Description" section of this bulletin and are described in the Medical Student Elective Catalog published on-line by the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services http://electivecatalog.med.sc.edu. Electives are available at the discretion of the department chair. They include participation in the elective program offered by the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (SC AHEC). SC AHEC-affiliated hospitals are located in Anderson, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, and Spartanburg. National and international elective programs are also available and encouraged. For more information on third and fourth-year electives, contact the School of Medicine director of enrollment services/registrar.

Course/Clerkship Title, Number, and Credit Hours
M-I, Fall Semester
Medical Embryology and Gross Anatomy	MCBA	D601	8
Medical Microscopic Anatomy	MCBA	D602	5
Medical Biochemistry I	CHEM	D650	4
Introduction to Clinical Medicine I	DMED	D601	2

M-I, Spring Semester
Medical Neuroscience	PHPH	D603	4
Medical Biochemistry II	CHEM	D651	4
Medical Physiology	PHPH	D621	7
Introduction to Clinical Medicine I	DMED	D602	5

Total 39

M-II, Fall Semester
Medical Microbiology	PAMB	D650	7
Medical Pathology	PAMB	D641	5
Introduction to Clinical Medicine II	DMED	D603	8

M-II, Spring Semester
Medical Pharmacology	PHPH	D631	7
Medical Pathology	PAMB	D642	5
Introduction to Clinical Medicine II	DMED	D604	8

Total 40

M-III
Family Medicine Clerkship	FPMD	D605	6
Internal Medicine Clerkship	MEDI	D605	8
Obstetrics/Gynecology Clerkship	OBGY	D605	6
Pediatrics Clerkship	PEDI	D605	8
Psychiatry Clerkship	NPSY	D605	8
Surgery Clerkship	SURG	D605	8
Electives (2)			4
Total 48

M-IV
Internal Medicine Clerkship	MEDI	D607	4
Neurology Clerkship	NPSY	D651	4
Surgery Clerkship	SURG	D607	4
Capstone	DMED	D607	2
Acting Internship			4
Electives (4 or 5)			16 or 20
Total 34 or 38

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 161 or 165

GPA/HONORS/CLASS RANK

At the conclusion of each academic semester and academic year, the class rank for each student is calculated on the basis of cumulative GPA. The GPA for a student who has repeated a semester/year includes all hours attempted and grades earned. For purposes of promotion only under the minimum 2.000 GPA rule, hours and grades earned during the original year are not considered in GPA calculation.

Graduation honors are based on the cumulative GPA at the end of the fourth year. Honors are noted on the student's diploma and transcript as follows: cum laude 3.500 - 3.749; magna cum laude 3.750 - 3.999; summa cum laude 4.000. Transfer students from schools which assign grades on a pass/fail basis or which do not award grade points are not eligible for graduation honors. To be eligible for honors, transfer students must earn the qualifying grade point average for all work completed at the University of South Carolina, as well as for the transfer work.

Notification of Student Rights Under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These include the following:

1. The right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect to the registrar, dean, academic department head, or other appropriate official. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request amendment of student education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student with notification of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

The University of South Carolina will disclose information from a student's education records only with the written consent of the student, except:

a. to school officials with legitimate educational interests

(A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the University has contracted [such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent]; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting other school officials in performing their tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill a professional responsibility.)

b. to officials of other institutions in which the student seeks or intends to enroll provided that the student has previously requested a release of the record

c. to authorized representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, the comptroller general of the United States, state educational authorities, organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the University, and accrediting organizations

d. in connection with a student's application for, and receipt of, financial aid

e. to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena

f. to parents of dependent students as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, Section 152

g. to appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency

h. to the alleged victim of any crime of violence of the results of any disciplinary proceedings conducted by the University.

The University of South Carolina has designated the following items as directory information: a student's name; electronic mail address; local and permanent mailing addresses and telephone numbers; semesters of attendance; enrollment status (full- or part-time); date of admission; date of graduation; school; major and minor fields of study; whether or not currently enrolled; classification (freshman, etc.); type of degree being pursued; degrees; honors; and awards received (including scholarships and fellowships); weight and height of members of athletic teams; and whether the student has participated in officially recognized activities and sports sponsored by the University.

The University may disclose any of these items without prior written consent, unless the student has submitted a written request to the Office of the University Registrar not to release directory information. Requests will be processed within 24 hours after receipt. Telephone directories are published during the summer; students eligible to enroll for the upcoming fall term will be listed in the printed directory unless the Office of the University Registrar is notified by May 31. The electronic directory is updated each weekend; requests for nondisclosure will be honored with the next update after the request is processed by the staff of the office of the University registrar.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of South Carolina to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Questions concerning this law and the University's procedures for release of academic information may be directed to the Office of the University Registrar at 803-777-5555.

Transcripts and Other Documents

All transcripts must be requested in writing from the Office of the University Registrar. A fee of $8 is charged for each transcript copy requested, unless the transcript is for use with a current application to The Graduate School. http://registrar.sc.edu/html/transcripts/default.stm

No transcript will be issued to/for a student who is indebted to the University.

With the exception of copies made for internal University use, no copy of a student's record will be released to anyone (including the State Department of Education) without the student's written consent.

Appeals Regarding University Records

To ensure that records are not inaccurate or misleading, an appropriate hearing board provides students the opportunity to challenge the content of University records, and a procedure for requesting correction or deletion of any inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data contained therein. Such requests should be made through the petitions committees of the individual campuses.

POLICY ON REGISTRATION/RECORDS/DIPLOMA HOLDS

REGISTRATION HOLD

Every student is expected to discharge all obligations to the University as promptly as possible. Students who fail to meet their obligations to the University will not be permitted to register for classes.

TRANSCRIPT AND DIPLOMA HOLDS

No student or individual duly authorized by the student shall be issued a copy of the student's transcript or receive verification, oral or written, of information contained therein, or be issued a diploma if the student is indebted to the University, the School of Medicine or any affiliated training institutions or agencies and/or if a student is in arrears or default on student loans, and/or if a student fails to participate in required assessment activities. However, requests for verification of enrollment will be fulfilled in circumstances required for student loans as required for use of Title V funds.

Evaluating the Curriculum

A realistic medical curriculum must be flexible, capable of withstanding continuous monitoring, and capable of adjustment to accommodate current changes in medical education brought about by changes in the needs of society. The Curriculum Committee, therefore, with the assistance of special subcommittees and with faculty and student input, continually monitors the curriculum in order to ensure that the goals and objectives of the curriculum and the School of Medicine are achieved.

Advisors

Faculty members from all School of Medicine departments volunteer to serve as advisors to medical students. Advisors counsel students regarding academics or other areas pertinent to students' satisfactory progress in the medical curriculum. They also assist students with such aspects of their clinical years as fourth-year electives, specialty selection, and residency application.

Faculty advisors and medical students are encouraged to meet at least once per semester. Advisors assist personnel in the School of Medicine Office of Student and Career Services in following the academic progress of their advisees.

Student-student advisory systems are at the discretion of the respective classes of the School of Medicine. Incoming first-year students are assigned student mentors in the summer so that they may meet preceding matriculation.

Class Attendance

Enrollment in the School of Medicine obligates students to complete all assigned course work promptly and to attend classes on a punctual and regular basis. Absences, whether excused or unexcused, do not absolve students of these responsibilities.

Students are expected to attend all regular class sessions. The course or clerkship director has the prerogative to exact a grade penalty for excessive absences. Unsatisfactory class attendance may be considered adequate reason for the instructor to refer to the Student Promotions Committee for consideration in the promotions process.

Any student who finds it necessary to be absent from a quiz, examination, or other required academic experience due to an emergency situation, illness, or hospitalization is required to notify the director of student and career services of the reason for the absence prior to the absence or as soon as possible thereafter. Upon receipt of notification from the student and, when requested, of written verification of the reason for the absence from the student's physician, the director of student services will notify all affected course or clerkship directors of the absence. Within the guidelines of University policy, the course or clerkship director will determine whether or not an absence from class will be excused. Under these guidelines, absences from examinations, structured laboratory assignments, or other academic requirements may be made up at the discretion of the course or clerkship director.

Any student who does not provide appropriate notification to the director of student and career services and/or who does not provide written verification of the reason for the absence when requested to do so may forfeit the opportunity to make up missed examinations and/or other academic experiences. A request for an excused absence received after the absence has occurred will not be accepted unless it was not possible to present proper advance notification.

The School of Medicine follows the lead of the University Columbia campus in regard to closings for hazardous weather and emergency closings. Exceptions are made for emergencies that affect the School of Medicine campus only. When weather affects the University Columbia campus operating schedule, the University follows directions issued by the Governor for state agencies. Information about delayed openings or closings will be posted on the Internet (USC home page) as soon as it is available from the Office of the Governor. During non-work hours, students who miss media broadcasts can call the USC Columbia Emergency Information Network at 803-777-5700 for a recorded message on delayed openings or closings. If a student feels it is unsafe to travel to campus, he or she should report his/her absence with the individual professors whose classes will be missed as a result. For emergencies that affect the School of Medicine campus only, students should check their e-mail for instructions and updates. Students may also call the School of Medicine Office of Student and Career Services at 803-733-3132 or 803-733-3135 for a recorded message.

Grading System

Credit Grades

The grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total grade points earned by the hours attempted for credit.

	Letter Grade	GPA	Numerical Grade *
Superior	A	4.0	90-100
Above Average	B+	3.5	85-89
	B	3.0	80-84
Satisfactory	C+	2.5	75-79
	C	2.0	70-74
Below Average	D	1.0	65-69
Failure	F	0.0	below 65

* Any final numeric grade in a course or clerkship whose first decimal place is calculated to be .5 to .9 shall be rounded to the next whole number, while grades whose first decimal place is calculated to be .0 to .4 should be rounded down to the lower number.

Other Symbols

Other symbols used in the grading system are defined below. These grades do not carry grade points.

S	Satisfactory or passing to be used in evaluating work done on a Pass-Fail basis
U	Unsatisfactory or failure to be used in evaluating work done on a Pass-Fail basis
W	Withdrawal passing, or without penalty, from a course or clerkship
WF	Withdrawal failing, or with penalty, from a course or clerkship
AUD	Course or clerkship was carried on an audit basis
I	Incomplete failure to complete some portion of the assigned work in a completed course or clerkship
NR	No report to be used in the absence of any of the above grades; a temporary mark, to be replaced subsequently by a regular grade, which can be used only when no grade has been assigned

The faculty of the School of Medicine is committed to the philosophy that satisfactory performance is expected of all students. No single course or clerkship or area of study is deemed to be more important than any other. The required courses and clerkships of the curriculum are all essential for the practice of medicine, regardless of the student's future specialty choice.

Curriculum Accommodations

The School of Medicine will provide reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students wishing to request accommodations should make application to the University's Office of Student Disability Services. Once accommodations are approved, the School of Medicine will be notified. The application must be made in a timely manner prior to any coursework for which accommodation is requested. The assistant dean for preclinical curriculum, when indicated, will advise course directors and other pertinent faculty as to the nature and extent of the accommodations to be provided. The School of Medicine, through the subcommittee of the Curriculum Committee, appointed by the chair, retains the right to request additional information, including test results and diagnostic information from a qualified professional, concerning accommodations that extend beyond the following: extended time for written exams, a separate room for exams, and a note taker. Students receiving accommodations will be held to the same technical standards for graduation as other students.

The assistant dean for preclinical curriculum will also assist students in applying to the National Board of Medical Examiners for permission to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) under nonstandard conditions.

Leave of Absence, Administrative Leave, and Withdrawal

I. Leave of Absence

A. Request for a Leave of Absence. For a variety of reasons, it may become temporarily impossible for a student to continue a medical education. It is appropriate under such circumstances that the student present all available information and details of the situation through the director of student and career services to the Leave of Absence Committee.

B. Leave of Absence Committee. The Leave of Absence Committee is composed of School of Medicine faculty members (or their faculty designees) and the director of student services who serves, without vote, as secretary to the committee. The committee makes recommendations to the dean regarding the granting of a leave of absence to any student who requests a leave, informs the dean regarding the academic standing of the student at the time of the student's request for a leave, and makes recommendations to the dean regarding a student's return from a leave of absence to full-time student status. According to School of Medicine regulations, a student will be considered as being in good academic standing if he or she had an overall 2.000 grade point average at the conclusion of the prior semester and had passing grades in all courses in the current semester at the time of the request for a leave of absence. A student who leaves the school in good academic standing and returns will not be considered as repeating the semester or year. A student who leaves the school not in good academic standing and returns will be considered as repeating the semester or year. Any student granted a leave of absence is assigned a grade of W in all courses or clerkships in which he or she was enrolled.

In that a leave of absence relieves the student of usual academic responsibilities in the School of Medicine, the Leave of Absence Committee reserves the right to recommend to the dean that a leave of absence be granted with stated conditions, stipulations, and/or contingencies that, in the opinion of the committee, are in the best interest of the student, will serve to document the student's ability to return to full-time student status at the conclusion of the leave of absence, and/or will preserve the integrity of the School of Medicine curriculum.

C. Procedure. Each student who requests a leave of absence will be invited to meet with the Leave of Absence Committee and to present relevant materials for the committee's review, including such statements and professional opinions that the student believes will support a request for a leave of absence. The Leave of Absence Committee will review the statements and professional opinions presented by the student in making its recommendations to the dean about a leave of absence, but such statements or opinions presented by the student are not binding on the Leave of Absence Committee. The student may be accompanied to the committee meeting by one or two advisors of personal choice. The committee meeting is an informal, nonadversarial proceeding. The student may consult with the chosen advisor(s) at any time during the meeting, but the advisor(s) will not be permitted to speak on the student's behalf or to ask questions of committee members.

The committee will inform the dean and the student, in writing, of its recommendation.

D. Decision of the dean. After receiving the recommendation of the Leave of Absence Committee, the dean or his/her designee will invite each student for whom the committee has recommended that a leave of absence not be granted to meet. At this informal and nonadversarial meeting, the student may discuss his or her individual situation and present relevant materials (including a personal statement of a maximum of 10 pages, double-spaced) for the dean's review. The student can be accompanied to this meeting by one or two advisors of personal choice and can consult with the advisor(s), but the advisor(s) will not be permitted to speak on the student's behalf or to ask questions of the dean. The dean will inform each student in writing within 10 working days of this meeting of the decision regarding a leave of absence and of the process of review in the dean's decision.

E. Length of a Leave of Absence. No leave of absence will be granted for a period of time exceeding 12 consecutive months. Any student taking a leave of absence for more than 16 weeks during the third year or fourth year of the medical curriculum will be required to complete the entire third year or fourth year in sequence upon a return to full-time student status.

F. Number of Leaves of Absence. Except under extraordinary circumstances, the School of Medicine will grant only one leave of absence to any student during his or her medical education.

G. Return from Leave of Absence. The Leave of Absence Committee reserves the right to require a meeting with a student prior to his or her return from a leave of absence in order to document the ability to resume full-time student status in the School of Medicine. At this meeting, the student may submit to the Leave of Absence Committee such statements and/or professional opinions that the student believes will support the contention that he or she is prepared to resume full-time student status. The Leave of Absence Committee will review the statements and professional opinions presented by the student in making its recommendations to the dean about the student's return from a leave of absence, but such statements or opinions presented by the student are not binding on the Leave of Absence Committee.

H. Independent Evaluation. The School of Medicine reserves the right to require a student to undergo an independent evaluation, at the School of Medicine's expense, by a physician mutually agreeable to the student and the School of Medicine prior to the student's return from a leave of absence to full-time student status.

I. Review Process. The review process for any decision made by the dean of the School of Medicine can be found in Section V of the "Student Promotions Committee" section.

II. Administrative Leave

During the course of a student's medical education it may become necessary for the student to be placed on administrative leave. A student may be placed on administrative leave due to academic, personal, and/or professional reasons. The associate dean for medical education and academic affairs, in consultation with the chair of the Leave of Absence Committee and the dean, may place a student on administrative leave.

All policies and procedures related to a leave of absence (Section I. A.-I.) will be in effect for any administrative leave.

Any student who is unsuccessful on a first or second attempt at Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) will be placed on administrative leave according to the policies and procedures for promotion and graduation.

III. Withdrawal

Occasionally a student may decide to withdraw from the School of Medicine without an approved leave of absence. All withdrawals will be made in accordance with University of South Carolina policies if the student is to receive a tuition refund and have the proper grades recorded on the transcript. The School of Medicine uses the University schedule for refunds for any student who is dismissed or who withdraws.

A student who withdraws from the School of Medicine and who subsequently wishes to return to school must make application through the Admissions Committee as a new applicant.

Promotion and Graduation

I. United States Medical Licensing Examination

A. Requirements. Students in the School of Medicine are required to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2 prior to graduation. Students are required to pass Step 1 in order to be promoted to the third year and to progress to third-year clerkships. Students are permitted a maximum of three attempts at Step 1 and at Step 2. Failure on the third attempt at Step 1 or Step 2 will render students subject to dismissal from the School of Medicine. Students must be enrolled in the School of Medicine in order to take Step 1 or 2.

B. Timelines. Students must adhere to certain timelines and follow established application procedures in order to allow sufficient time for score reporting prior to various promotion deadlines.

1. Step 1. Second-year students are required to complete applications for Step 1 during the second year in sufficient time to ensure a test date by the end of June and the beginning of third-year clinical clerkships. Students must take Step 1 prior to beginning third-year clinical clerkships.

Any second-year student who is unsuccessful on a first attempt at Step 1 is expected to complete an application in sufficient time to ensure a test date by the conclusion of the second clerkship period of the third year. The student will receive an Incomplete grade for the first clinical clerkship and will be placed on an administrative leave of absence until a second attempt is completed, at which time he or she will re-enter the third year of medical education in the third clerkship period. Upon receipt in the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services of official notification from the NBME of a passing score on Step 1, the student will receive the letter grade earned in the first clinical clerkship.

Any second-year student who is unsuccessful on a second attempt at Step 1 will immediately be placed on an administrative leave of absence for the remainder of that academic year in order to prepare for the third and final administration of Step 1 and is expected to complete an application in sufficient time to ensure a test date and score reporting by the beginning of the first third-year clerkship period of the next academic year. In the interim, the student will not be permitted to progress further in the third year of medical education. The student will not earn academic credit for the first clinical clerkship; a grade of W will replace the Incomplete grade.

Any student who is successful on a third attempt at Step 1 will begin third-year clerkships in the first clerkship period of the subsequent academic year and is required to complete the entire third year in sequence.

2. Step 2. Fourth-year students are expected to complete applications for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS) in sufficient time to ensure test dates by the end of rotation 6 in December.

Any fourth-year student who is unsuccessful on a first or second attempt at Step 2 CK and/or CS is expected to complete an application in sufficient time to ensure a test date that will allow sufficient time for the score to be reported by May 15. This date allows time for academic reporting to be complete for the May graduation from the School of Medicine.

II. Requirements for Promotion

A. Academic Progress. In order to be promoted to the next academic year or to be permitted to continue to the next academic semester, a student must be recommended for promotion or continuation to the dean by the Student Promotions Committee. A student should maintain at least a 2.000 grade point average in order to be promoted to the next academic year or permitted to continue to the next academic semester. A student receiving less than a 2.000 grade point average in an academic semester or academic year or less than a 2.000 cumulative grade point average is subject to dismissal.

1. Repeat of Course Failed. The grade of F is used to denote failure in a course or clerkship; a student receiving a grade of F in one or more courses or clerkships is subject to dismissal. A student receiving an F grade in a course or clerkship may be permitted by the dean, in consultation with the Student Promotions Committee, to repeat the course or clerkship. A student permitted to repeat a clinical clerkship must repeat the clerkship at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine; a student permitted to repeat a preclinical course may repeat the course at another medical school approved by the course director and the assistant dean for preclinical curriculum. If the student fails to achieve a C or better grade in the repeated course or clerkship, the student will be subject to dismissal from the School of Medicine or will be required to repeat the academic year, at the discretion of the dean in consultation with the Student Promotions Committee.

Upon satisfactory completion of the repeated course or clerkship, both the original F grade and the grade received in the repeated course or clerkship will be recorded on the student's transcript. Grade points and credit hours for both grades will be calculated into the cumulative grade point average which is used for promotion decisions and in the determination of class rank.

In the case of a continuing course (Biochemistry, Pathology), if a student receives an F grade in the first semester and the student is permitted by the dean, in consultation with the Student Promotions Committee, to continue to the next semester, the student will be required to attend classes in that course during the second semester and take all course examinations on a Pass-Fail basis and then repeat the entire course.

2. Repeated Semester/Year. A student will not usually be permitted to repeat more than one academic semester or academic year. A student who is repeating the semester or year must receive a grade of C or better in repeated courses or clerkships in order to be promoted to the next academic year or permitted to continue to the next academic semester. A student who fails to receive a grade of C or better in repeated courses or clerkships is subject to dismissal.

If a student is required to repeat an academic semester or academic year, grade points and credit hours from the original semester or year will not be calculated into the cumulative grade point average for the purpose of promotions decisions. For all other purposes, grade points and credit hours from the original academic semester or academic year will be calculated into the cumulative grade point average.

3. Unsatisfactory Grade in Personal and Professional Conduct. A student who receives an Unsatisfactory grade in the personal and professional conduct portion of a third- or fourth-year clerkship evaluation will receive an Incomplete grade in that clerkship. The student will not be permitted to continue in other clerkships but will be required to repeat the clerkship or, alternately, to repeat the component(s) of the clerkship identified as necessary by the clerkship director. If a second Unsatisfactory grade is received in the personal and professional conduct portion of the professional evaluation in the repeat clerkship, then the student will be subject to dismissal. If the student receives exemplary or effective grades in personal and professional conduct and a C or higher letter grade in the repeat clerkship, he or she will be permitted to continue in the third or fourth year. Any additional Unsatisfactory grades in personal and professional conduct during the third year or during the fourth year will render the student subject to dismissal.

B. Personal and Professional Conduct. Student progress is based upon professional performance which includes both cognitive mastery of the basic and clinical sciences and personal and professional conduct that reflects the high standards of moral and ethical behavior and judgment necessary for professional practice as a physician. Factors which could result in a student's suspension or dismissal from the School of Medicine, regardless of grades in basic science course work and clinical clerkships and electives, include, but are not limited to, violations of the School of Medicine Policy on Evaluation of Personal and Professional Conduct, violations of University regulations as described in the Carolina Community, or conviction of a criminal offense.

III. Requirements for Graduation

Upon recommendation by the School of Medicine faculty, the University of South Carolina will confer the degree of Doctor of Medicine upon candidates who have:

A. attained the School's educational objectives as evidenced by satisfactory completion of prescribed basic science courses and clinical clerkships and electives and acquisition of all required clinical skills;

B. passed Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE;

C. completed the clinical skills attainment document;

D. attended the University of South Carolina School of Medicine on a full-time basis for a minimum of two years; and

E. discharged all financial obligations to the School of Medicine and to the University.

In order to graduate in the May commencement ceremony, fourth-year students must complete successfully all academic requirements by May 31.

Student Promotions Committee

I. Academic Review Committee

The Academic Review Committee, composed of the chair of the Student Promotions Committee and faculty members who are not department chairs, meets at the end of each semester and at other times, as necessary, with each student who is subject to dismissal based upon School of Medicine academic regulations. The committee develops recommendations for consideration by the Student Promotions Committee regarding the student's continued enrollment and/or academic progress in the School of Medicine.

Each student who is subject to dismissal will be invited to meet with committee members in order to discuss his or her individual situation and to present relevant materials for the committee's review. The student may be accompanied to the committee meeting by one or two advisors of personal choice. The committee meeting is an informal, nonadversarial proceeding. The student may consult with the advisor(s) at any time during the meeting, but the advisor(s) will not be permitted to speak on the student's behalf or to ask questions of committee members.

Each student who is subject to dismissal has the right to submit, prior to the committee meeting, relevant materials, including copies of a personal statement (maximum 10 pages, double-spaced), for review by the Academic Review Committee and the Student Promotions Committee.

II. Student Promotions Committee

The Student Promotions Committee, acting for the faculty, makes recommendations to the dean regarding each student's continued enrollment and/or academic progress in the School of Medicine, including continuation to the next academic semester, promotion to the next academic year, suspension, dismissal, or any variation thereof that in the opinion of the committee is appropriate. Voting members of the committee include those faculty members who are the chairs of School of Medicine departments (or their designees) and two faculty members elected by the Faculty Representation Committee. Voting committee members will elect the chair of the Student Promotions Committee at the first meeting of each academic year. The associate dean for medical education and academic affairs will serve, without vote, as executive secretary to the committee.

The Student Promotions Committee will receive information of various types, including, but not limited to, grades, evaluations, narrative comments from course and clerkship directors, and recommendations from members of the Academic Review Committee and/or from personnel in the Office of Medical Education and Academic Affairs, and, where indicated, opinions from other sources, including, but not limited to, faculty members, personnel at School of Medicine-affiliated hospitals, consultants, and representatives of relevant professional organizations.

The Student Promotions Committee reserves the right, in its deliberations about recommendations to the dean, to consider all relevant information that bears on a student's fitness to become a physician. All recommendations are made by the Student Promotions Committee to the dean, who will have the final decision within the School of Medicine.

The Student Promotions Committee will meet at the conclusion of each semester and, as necessary, at other times during the year. Criteria for continued enrollment and academic progress will be reviewed regularly. The committee will inform the dean and the student, in writing, of its recommendations.

III. Academic Alternatives

The Student Promotions Committee may recommend to the dean any of the following academic alternatives:

A. permitting the student to continue to the next academic semester;

B. promoting the student to the next academic year;

C. promoting the student to the next academic year, contingent upon satisfactory completion of all academic deficiencies and contingent upon re-review by the committee;

D. requiring the student to repeat successfully a course, a clerkship, an elective, the academic semester, or the academic year;

E. suspending the student from the School of Medicine for a specified period of time, up to a maximum of one calendar year1;¹

F. dismissing the student from the School of Medicine; or

G. a combination of any of the above-mentioned academic alternatives.

H. other sanctions deemed educationally beneficial to the student.

IV. Decision of the Dean

After receiving the recommendations of the Student Promotions Committee, the dean will invite each student for whom the Student Promotions Committee has recommended any academic alternative other than A or B (above) to meet. At this informal and nonadversarial meeting, the student may discuss his or her individual situation and present relevant materials (including a personal statement of a maximum of 10 pages, double-spaced) for the dean's review. The student may be accompanied to this meeting by one or two advisors of personal choice and may consult with the advisor(s), but the advisor(s) will not be permitted to speak on the student's behalf or to ask questions of the dean. The dean will inform each student, in writing, within 10 working days of this meeting of the dean's decision and of the process of review of the dean's decision.

In the case of the dismissal of a first- or second-year student, a first- or second-year student will be permitted to remain enrolled in first- and second-year courses during the review process, but, if the review process has not been completed by the commencement of the third year, a second-year student will not be permitted to begin the third year until the outcome of the review process has been determined.

In the case of the dismissal of a third- or fourth-year student, notwithstanding the student's right to a review of the dean's decision, the decision of the dean is effective with the date of the dean's letter informing the student of dismissal. A third- or fourth-year student who has been dismissed from the School of Medicine will not be permitted to continue to engage in patient care activities, will not be permitted to remain enrolled in clinical clerkships or electives, and will not be considered to be enrolled in the School of Medicine.

A student will not receive grades in any courses completed during the period of the review process and will receive any refund of tuition and fee payments according to the schedules published by the University of South Carolina.

V. Review Process

A final request for review may be made to the president of the University of South Carolina of any decision made by the dean of the School of Medicine. This request for review must be made, in writing, within 10 working days of the student's receipt of the dean's decision.

During the review process, the student will be invited to submit to the president a personal statement (maximum 10 pages, double-spaced) in which the grounds for the request for review are explained. There will be four possible grounds for a request for review: (1) that the decision of the dean is not supported by substantial evidence; (2) that a procedural violation has occurred that has prejudiced the dean's deliberations; (3) that, when the record is reviewed as a whole, the decision of the dean is punitive rather than academically appropriate; and/or (4) that the dean's decision is an arbitrary and capricious one.

The president can reverse, affirm, or modify the dean's decision. Any modification of the dean's decision by the president cannot require greater remedial effort on the part of the student than that required by the dean's original decision regarding an academic alternative.

Ideally, the outcome of the president's review will be communicated to the student, in writing, within 30 days of the date of receipt of the request for a review. The president's review will consist of an assessment of the student's existing record in the School of Medicine, with no new information being provided by the student or by the School of Medicine.

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¹ At the end of the period of suspension, the student will submit to the Student Promotions Committee such statements and/or professional opinions believed to support the contention that the reasons for suspension have been resolved and that he or she is capable of returning to full-time student status. The Student Promotions Committee will review the statements and professional opinions presented in making its recommendations to the dean about the return of the student to full-time student status, but such statements or opinions presented are not binding on the Student Promotions Committee.

The School of Medicine reserves the right to require a student seeking to return to full-time student status from a period of suspension to undergo an independent evaluation, at the School of Medicine's expense, by a physician mutually agreeable to the student and to the School of Medicine. The report from this independent evaluation will be submitted to the Student Promotions Committee for its review prior to its making its recommendation to the dean about a student's return to full-time status, but the statements or opinions presented in this report are not binding on the committee.

Following receipt of a recommendation from the Student Promotions Committee that a student not be permitted to return to full-time status after a period of suspension, the dean will invite the student to meet. At this informal and nonadversarial meeting, the student may discuss his or her individual situation and present relevant materials, including a personal statement (maximum 10 pages, double spaced) for the dean's review. The student may be accompanied to this meeting by one or two advisors of personal choice and may consult with the advisor(s), but the advisor(s) will not be permitted to speak on the student's behalf or to ask questions of the dean. The dean will inform each student, in writing, within 10 working days of this meeting of the decision and of the process of review.