Promotion Policy

Policy Statement:

The Keck School of Medicine has a single standard for progression and promotion for each curricular phase. Students who are ineligible for promotion may be considered for dismissal from the Keck School of Medicine.

Policy Requirement:

The Student Performance Committee (SPC) makes one (or more) of the following decisions on promotion for each student on at least an annual basis:

1. Satisfactory progress is being made
2. Promotion to the clerkship phase
3. Promotion to the post clerkship phase
4. Eligibility for graduation
5. Requires remediation to make up a deficiency
6. Must repeat part, or the entirety of, a year of instruction (this may include a repeat of systems, modules, courses or clerkships in which the performance was previously satisfactory)
7. Placement on Academic or Professional Behavior Probation
8. Placement on Administrative or Academic Remediation Leave of Absence
9. Dismissal
10. Other action, as indicated by a student’s circumstances

Promotion to Semester 3 of the Pre-Clerkship Phase

For promotion to Semester 3 of the Pre-Clerkship Phase, students must:

1. Pass all courses and complete all curricular requirements in year one of the pre-clerkship phase.
2. Demonstrate compliance with the MD Program Code of Professional Behavior.
3. Demonstrate ability to meet the Keck School of Medicine Technical Standards with or without accommodations.

Promotion to the Clerkship Phase

For promotion to the Clerkship Phase, students must:

1. Pass all courses and complete all curricular requirements in the Pre-Clerkship Phase.
2. Take the USMLE Step 1 examination.
3. Demonstrate compliance with the MD Program Code of Professional Behavior.
4. Demonstrate ability to meet the Keck School of Medicine Technical Standards with or without accommodations.

Promotion to the Post-Clerkship Phase

For promotion to the Post-Clerkship Phase, students must:

1. Pass all required courses and clerkships and complete all curricular requirements in the Clerkship Phase
2. Pass the USMLE Step 1 Examination.
3. Demonstrate compliance with the MD Program Code of Professional Behavior.
4. Demonstrate ability to meet the Keck School of Medicine Technical Standards with or without accommodations.

Limits to Remedial Work
When the SPC determines that a student has failed to demonstrate sufficient progress, the committee may recommend remedial work. The SPC considers each student’s situation on an individual basis, but it is anticipated that students who reach the limits outlined below will be ineligible for remediation, retaking of examinations, and promotion to the next semester or phase of the curriculum. Students who reach the limits outlined below can petition the SPC for further consideration.

Pre-Clerkship Phase Limits to Remedial Work

• Does not pass three or more final composite course assessments on the first attempt during Semester 1 and Semester 2 combined.
• Does not pass two or more Semester 3 final composite course assessments on the first attempt.

Clerkship Phase Limits to Remedial Work

• Fails two or more required courses and/or clerkships
• Fails three subject exams on the first attempt.

Eligibility for Graduation
To be eligible for graduation a student must satisfactorily complete all degree requirements in each curricular phase, demonstrate continued compliance with the MD Program Code of Professional Behavior and demonstrate continued ability to meet the Keck School of Medicine Technical Standards with or without accommodations. Students must also complete the requirements of the Scholarly Project, and pass the Clinical Performance Examination, and the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Examinations.

Procedure for Students Ineligible for Promotion:

1. A student who is ineligible for promotion shall meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs prior to the SPC meeting at which time the student will be provided information about the rules, procedures and possible outcomes of the SPC meeting.
2. The student will receive a written statement that they are not promotable based on the promotion criteria from the Student Performance Committee (SPC) and offered an opportunity to appear before the SPC. The student may waive their right to such an appearance.
3. If the student chooses to appear, they will receive notification of the meeting at least ten (10) business days prior to the date of the meeting.
4. The student will be provided information relevant to the reason they are not eligible for promotion including student records, and other documentation used in considering the decision.
5. A quorum necessary for action on a proposal to determine that a student is ineligible for promotion is defined as a simple majority of the voting membership of the SPC.
6. Students are expected to author any written submissions and speak on their own behalf during any meetings or hearings on the matter. If they wish to be accompanied by an adviser or wish for the university to share information with their adviser, the adviser must sign a confidentiality agreement and agree to abide by the protocol outlined above.
7. The student will have the opportunity to present any relevant information to the SPC including affidavits, exhibits and oral testimony. If the student wishes to present written materials to Committee members, the student must submit them to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at least three (3) business days before the meeting.
8. The Chairperson of the SPC will orally transmit the final determination of the Student Performance Committee to the student after completion of the meeting. The final decision of the Committee will be transmitted in writing to the Vice Dean for Medical Education and the student within three (3) business days following the close of the meeting.

Appeal Process for a Promotion Decision

A student who has been deemed non-promotable by the Student Performance Committee may appeal the decision in accordance with the KSOM MD Program Appeal Process and USC Student Handbook.

Reviewed and Approved:  May 21, 2025

Medical Education Curriculum Committee