Last updated: January 18th, 2023 at 12:53 pm

Students who fail to meet academic performance and professionalism standards during the 5 semesters at WAUSM will be subject to review by the Student Progress Committee (SPC) and could be considered for remediation, disciplinary action and/or dismissal. When deemed appropriate by SPC, remediation opportunities will be allowed.

UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE

a. Student performance extends beyond medical knowledge and academic performance. Behavior of a medical student reflects on the student’s ability to become a competent physician. The University expects all medical students to be professional in their interactions with patients, employees, faculty, and staff and to exhibit caring and compassionate attitudes. These and other qualities will be evaluated during patient contacts and in other relevant settings by both faculty and peers. In addition, students must adhere to WAUSM’s Code of Student Conduct.

b. In conferring the MD degree, WAUSM certifies that the student is prepared to enter the challenges of Graduate Medical Education. The MD degree also certifies that, in addition to competency in medical knowledge and skills, the graduate possesses those traits essential to the profession of medicine as judged by the faculty members, residents, and the student’s peers. Attitudes and/or behaviors, including, but not limited to alleged violations of WAUSM’s Code of Student Conduct may indicate unsatisfactory performance of professionalism. The SPC may review allegations of conduct that, in its judgment, indicate an academic deficiency and, if a deficiency is found, may dismiss the student. A SPC review of a student’s academic progress does not preclude a WAUSM review for student conduct code violations.

ACADEMIC REMEDIATION

a. Failed Examination within a Course

i. The WAUSM curriculum is fast-paced and demands a high level of preparation and participation for student success. Any student who scores below a passing grade on any examination as defined in the missed examination policy must meet with the Center for Academic Success (CAS) to discuss their performance and learning strategies.

ii. The Center for Academic Success and the Office of Student Affairs will assist in formulating strategies to assist the student and will meet with the student to discuss correction strategies tailored to the student’s individual needs.

iii. The goal is to provide prompt and effective intervention to correct academic deficiencies to help prevent failure overall.

b. Failed Course

i. If a student fails a course and requires formal remediation to achieve a passing grade, the student will be presented to SPC for review.

1. Foundations of Medicine (FoM): If a student scores less than 70% for the course grade yet passes the final examination with a minimum score of 70%, that student will be eligible to sit for a remediation final examination within one (1) week of the original final examination. This will be subject to approval by the SPC. Students attaining a minimum score of 70% on the remediation final examination will receive a FoM course grade of “Pass”. Remediating students cannot receive high pass or honors for that semester. The remediation of the course will be noted internally for MSPE purposes.

2. Patient Centered Care (PCC): Students failing the PCC 1 practical examination may remediate the examination after week 15 of the semester, within the first week of the semester break. Students successfully remediating the practical examination may not receive a total PCC 1 grade higher than 70%, regardless of remediation exam score or points received for the activity component of the PCC 1 course. Remediating students cannot receive high pass or honors for that semester. The remediation of the course will be noted internally for MSPE purposes.

c. Failed Semester – Pre-clerkship Program

i. Students must pass all components of the Foundations of Medicine course (FoM) and the Patient Centered Care (PCC) course to pass the semester. Students who fail either the PCC course or the FoM course without successful remediation, may have the opportunity to repeat one (1) semester. All failures will be reviewed by the SPC.

The University strongly encourages students to assume leadership positions in various sanctioned campus organizations and activities (e.g., class officer positions, student interest groups, health outreach missions, and the like). Students who accept such leadership positions should be in “good academic standing,” defined as:

• a passing grade in each course attempted

• successful completion of USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt (if applicable)

• a passing grade in each required clerkship (if applicable)

• passing grades in Step 2 CK (if applicable)

• passing grade in OET (if applicable)

• passing grade in ECFMG Pathway (if applicable)

If students fall below this specified standard of academic performance, they may be required to relinquish their leadership position until their academic performance returns to the acceptable level. They also should seek assistance from appropriate advisers, counselors, and mentors. 

MISSED EXAMINATION POLICY

Students are expected to complete all examinations on the dates and times noted on the Canvas calendar. In rare cases, extenuating circumstances may prohibit a student from completing an examination on the original scheduled date and time. In these instances, students may request approval from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA)to sit for a missed examination and must be prepared to sit for a remediation exam. Extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to, hospitalization due to serious illness, military conscription, or death of a family member. Extenuating circumstances will be determined by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

I. Summative Examinations (SUM-E’s), Anatomy Practical Exams, Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA)

a. Students who miss a summative examination, anatomy practical examination or the Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA)due to extenuating circumstances need to provide documentation of those circumstances to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). Documentation must be provided within 24 hours of the missed examination.

b. Students approved for a remediation examination must be prepared to sit for a remediation exam within seven (7) calendar days from the original exam date.

c. Following approval, the exact remediation exam date will be scheduled, and this date is final.

d. In cases where a student is either not approved for remediation or fails to appear for the remediation exam at the scheduled date and time, the student will receive a score of zero (0) for that missed examination.

II. Final Examinations, OSCE’s and Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE)

a. Students who miss a final examination or OSCE will receive a zero (0) for those examinations.

b. If a student fails a course because of missing these examinations, the Student Advancement, Promotions and Graduation Standards Policy will apply.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL POLICY

A withdrawal occurs when a student’s enrollment is discontinued with no intention of returning to the program. Withdrawals can be either student-initiated or administratively determined. Students should be aware that a withdrawal decision or determination is final. Please see the “Grades and Transcripts” policy, section V, for transcript designations in the case of a withdrawal.

a. A withdrawal occurs when a student’s enrollment is discontinued with no intention of returning to the program.

b. The Student Progress Committee (SPC), under certain circumstances, may recommend that a student be administratively withdrawn from the program.

c. An administrative withdrawal may be recorded if a student takes an unauthorized leave or does not return from an approved leave of absence.

d. An administrative withdrawal (WA) may also be recorded in cases where a student does not provide missing documentation by the established deadline of being admitted, including but not limited to, official transcripts and test scores.

e. Students are subject to administrative withdrawal (WA) if they;

i. do not return to campus after the start of the semester during the designated check-in period

ii. are absent for more than five (5) consecutive days within one semester with no communication or notice to the University

iii. fail to submit withdrawal paperwork within five (5) academic days of OSA request iv. fail to report to a clinical rotation on the first day of the rotation

v. do not return from an approved leave of absence by the established date or take an unauthorized leave

vi. do not sit for the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, or OET Medicine exams by the deadline provided by WAUSM

vii. do not provide missing documentation, including but not limited to official transcripts, test scores, immunization records, etc. viii. Please refer to the “Grades and Transcripts Policy” for transcript notations in the event of a withdrawal.