Academic Progress and Promotion Policy

Approved by Student Promotion and Conduct Committee, and the Medical Education Steering Committee 06/17/2025, effective 08/04/2025

To whom this policy applies

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) Medical Students, including students in any phase of a dual degree program.

Purpose/Background

Students at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine undergo a rigorous undergraduate medical education program. The school places significant emphasis on student performance in both academics and professionalism. This policy provides the requirements for progression through the UNR Med curriculum and includes consequences for failure to meet the program requirements.

UNR Med shall comply at all times with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Definitions

Academic year: The fall and spring semesters as described in the academic calendar.

Clerkships: Clinical rotations and courses in year 3 of the curriculum.

Clinical skills courses: Practice of Medicine (POM), Advanced Clinical Skills (ACS), and Clinical Reasoning in Medicine (CRIM).

Curricular year: The UNR Med curriculum is designed to take 4 years to complete and includes four curricular years. Each curricular year is based on the current curricular structure and includes the components of the curriculum that a student is expected to complete in a given academic year. If the student is delayed, a curricular year may take more than one academic year to complete.

Electives: Clinical and non-clinical rotations and courses in year 4 that are required to meet unit requirements for graduation but vary by student interest and specialty.

Fail (course/clerkship grade): A final course or clerkship grade indicating that the student did not meet the criteria, standards, and requirements as described by the syllabus.

Failure to meet the requirements of a course: A situation when a student does not fulfill the criteria, standards, and requirements stated in the course syllabus within the established timeframe.

Failure to remediate a course: A situation when a student does not fulfill the criteria, standards, and requirements stated in the course syllabus and fails to successfully complete remediation within the established timeframe.

Incomplete (grade): A grade that reflects that a student has not yet completed the required work for the course.

National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Clinical Science Subject ("shelf") Exam failure: Overall exam score below the threshold identified in the clerkship syllabus.

Pre-clerkship curriculum: UNR Med blocks curriculum.

Required Post-Clerkship Experience: Clinical and non-clinical rotations and courses in year 4 of the curriculum that all students must satisfactorily complete.

Subject to dismissal: The SPCC may initiate proceedings which may result in a student's dismissal from UNR Med.

Summative assessment: A subset of assessments that are weighted towards the final grade including midterms, finals, standardized exams, lab practicals, critical thinking exams, required presentations and clinical skills activities.

Policy

MD Degree Graduation Requirements and Completion Timeline
UNR Med medical students must meet the criteria, standards, and requirements of the medical education program within six calendar years from the date of their initial matriculation to UNR Med
1. To be eligible to graduate, students must be in good academic standing and successfully pass all required courses in the pre-clerkship curriculum, all components of third year clinical clerkships and courses, and required post-clerkship experiences and elective credits necessary to meet the 36-week requirement.
2. In addition, UNR Med requires passing scores for Step 1 and Step 2 CK within the timeframes listed in Section 9 of this policy. The deadline to receive a passing score on all attempts of Step 2 CK is May 1st of the year of graduation.
3. Extensions may be granted for activated military service for the period of the active duty, enrollment in a dual degree program or approved ADA accommodation and are subject to the approval of the SPCC pursuant to the Leave of Absence policy.
4. Students must complete all requirements of their current year curriculum to be promoted by the SPCC to the next year (or to graduate).
5. If the student fails to complete the requirements for the MD Degree within six academic years and has not received an extension, the student is subject to dismissal.
Academic Status
1. Good Academic Standing is the status that designates a student that is currently enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the SPCC by having successfully passed or remediated all the criteria, standards, and requirements of the curriculum.
2. Academic Monitoring is the status that designates concerns regarding a student's progress towards meeting the criteria, standards, and requirements of the curriculum. Students on Academic Monitoring are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress but are not in good academic standing. The consequences of Academic Monitoring are:
  1. The student must appear before the SPCC.
  2. At the discretion of the SPCC in its professional judgement, a student on Academic Monitoring may not serve in elected leadership positions, serve on medical school committees, participate in admissions applicant interviews, or participate in dual degree programs, research activities or other academic enrichment experiences.
  3. Academic Monitoring status is not noted on the MSPE unless otherwise specified in this policy.
  4. A student who completes Academic Monitoring will return to Good Academic Standing.
  5. If a student is placed on Academic Monitoring three or more times during their enrollment at UNR Med, they are placed on Academic Probation for a period of time determined by the SPCC.
3. Academic Probation is the status that designates deficiencies in a student's progress towards meeting the criteria, standards, and requirements of the curriculum. Students on Academic Probation are not considered to be not making satisfactory academic progress and are not in good academic standing. The consequences of Academic Probation are:
  1. The student must appear before the SPCC.
  2. A student on Academic Probation shall not serve in elected leadership positions, serve on medical school committees, participate in admissions applicant interviews, or participate in dual degree programs, research activities or other academic enrichment experiences.
  3. All instances of Academic Probation status are noted on the MSPE.
  4. A student on Academic Probation will remain on that academic status for a minimum of one semester or a time frame designated at the discretion of the SPCC in its professional judgement.
  5. A student who completes Academic Probation will be placed on Academic Monitoring for a time frame determined by the SPCC in its professional judgement.
  6. Upon successful completion of all criteria, requirements, and standards for graduation, a student on Academic Probation will automatically return to Good Academic Standing and become eligible for graduation.
Pre-clerkship Curriculum
In order to pass a pre-clerkship course, a student must meet all of the course criteria, requirements, and standards as described in the syllabus.
1. Failure to meet the requirements of a pre-clerkship curriculum course
  1. If a student fails to meet the requirements of a course, they will:
    - Receive a grade of incomplete for the course. Upon successful remediation, the grade will be changed to a pass.
    - Remediate the course according to the syllabus.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Monitoring for at least the remainder of the curricular year at the discretion of the SPCC in its professional judgement.
2. Failure to remediate a pre-clerkship curriculum course
  1. If a student fails to remediate the course, as specified in the syllabus, they will:
    - Fail the course.
    - Repeat the year.
    - Appear before SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Probation.
3. Failing to meet the requirements of a second pre-clerkship curriculum course in a curricular year
  1. A student may only remediate one course per curricular year. If a student fails to meet the requirements of two courses in a curricular year, they will:
    - Fail the second course.
    - Appear before SPCC.
    - Be subject to dismissal.
  2. The student may petition the SPCC in writing to remain enrolled and to repeat the curricular year in accordance with Section 8.
  3. The SPCC may vote to proceed with dismissal proceedings.
  4. In the case that the SPCC votes not to proceed with dismissal proceedings, the student will:
    - Be placed on Academic Probation.
    - Repeat the curricular year.
    - Work with Student Affairs to develop a plan to improve and monitor academic progress for the remainder of the MD program.
    - Be subject to additional requirements and restrictions as determined by the SPCC.
4. Progression to next curricular year
  1. Students must complete all requirements of their current year curriculum to be promoted to the next year by the SPCC.
Clinical Skills Courses (POM, ACS, CRIM)
In order to pass a clinical skills course, a student must meet all of the course requirements as described in the syllabus.
1. Failure to meet the requirements of a clinical skills course
  1. If a student fails to meet the requirements of a clinical skills course, they will:
    - Remediate according to the syllabus.
    - Receive a grade of incomplete for the course. Upon successful remediation, the grade will be changed to a pass.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Monitoring.
    - Have the remediation noted in the MSPE.
2. Failure to remediate a clinical skills course
  1. If a student fails to remediate the course as specified in the syllabus, they will:
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Probation.
    - Fail the course.
    - Repeat the curricular year.
Clerkships
In order to pass each clerkship, a student must meet all the criteria, standards, and requirements as stated in the syllabus. Any failure to meet the requirements may affect the student's graduation date. Clerkship grades are determined by the assessments and requirements listed in the syllabus including but not limited to the NBME Clinical Science Subject Exam performance.
1. Failure to meet the requirements of a clerkship
  1. If a student fails to meet the requirements of a clerkship as stated in the syllabus, they will:
    - Receive a grade of incomplete. Upon successful remediation, the grade will be changed to a pass.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Monitoring.
    - Remediate the clerkship according to the syllabus.
    - Have the remediation noted on their MSPE.
2. Failure to remediate a clerkship
  1. If a student fails to remediate the clerkship as stated in the syllabus, they will:
    - Fail the clerkship.
    - Be required to repeat the entire clerkship. This may affect their graduation date.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Probation.
3. Failure to meet the requirements of a repeated clerkship or to meet the requirements of a second clerkship in a curricular year
  1. If a student fails to meet the requirements of a repeated clerkship on the second attempt, they will:
    - Fail the course.
    - Not progress in the curricular year. This will affect their graduation date.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Remain on Academic Probation for a time frame designated at the discretion of the SPCC in its professional judgement.
    - Be subject to dismissal. If not dismissed, they will be required to repeat all core clerkships in the curricular year.
  2. If a student fails to meet the requirements of a second clerkship after failing to meet the requirements of a previous one, they will:
    - Fail the course.
    - Not progress in the curricular year. This will affect their graduation date.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Remain on Academic Probation for a time frame designated at the discretion of the SPCC in its professional judgement.
    - Be subject to dismissal. If not dismissed, they will be required to repeat all core clerkships in the curricular year.
Required Post-Clerkship Experiences
In order to pass a required post-clerkship experience, a student must meet all the requirements, criteria and standards as stated in the syllabus. Any failure to meet the requirements may affect the student's graduation date. Required post-clerkship experiences grades are determined by the assessments and requirements listed in the syllabus.
1. Failure to meet the requirements of a required post-clerkship experience
  1. If a student fails to meet the requirements of a required post-clerkship experience as stated in the syllabus, they will:
    - Receive a grade of incomplete. Upon successful remediation, the grade will be changed to a pass.
    - Remediate the post-clerkship experience per the respective Director(s) requirements, which may include repeating the required post-clerkship experience.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Monitoring or Academic Probation at the discretion of the SPCC in its professional judgement.
    - Have the remediation noted on their MSPE. If the MSPE has been finalized, an addendum will be created and shared as required.
2. Failure to remediate a required post-clerkship experience
  1. If a student fails to remediate a required post-clerkship experience, they will:
    - Fail the required post-clerkship experience.
    - Be required to repeat the entire required post-clerkship experience.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Be placed on Academic Probation (or remain on Probation if they are already on Probation).
3. Failure to meet the requirements of a repeated required post-clerkship experience
  1. If a student fails to meet the requirements of a required post-clerkship experience on the second attempt, they will:
    - Fail the course.
    - Not progress in the curricular year.
    - Appear before the SPCC.
    - Remain on Academic Probation.
    - Be subject to dismissal. If not dismissed, they will be required to repeat their entire elective year.
4. Students must complete the UNR Med elective requirements for graduation.
Electives
1. If a student fails to meet the requirements of an elective as stated in the syllabus, they will:
  1. Remediate the elective in accordance with the requirements specified by the elective director, or
  2. Enroll in a different elective if needed to meet the unit requirements in the graduation requirements.
  3. Appear before the SPCC, which may result in a change in academic status.
Repeated Years
Students may only repeat one curricular year during their enrollment at UNR Med.
1. During a repeated year in any phase of the curriculum:
  1. Students remain on Academic Probation.
  2. Students must pass each summative assessment on their first attempt. Failure to pass a summative assessment on the first attempt will result in failure of the course and the student will be subject to dismissal.
  3. Students are not eligible to repeat any other courses or content during the repeated year.
United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Requirements
UNR Med requires students to pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) as part of the medical education curriculum. Students must be enrolled at UNR Med to be eligible to take any USMLE exam.
1. Deadlines and Timing
  1. USMLE Step 1
    - Deadlines and prerequisites for taking the USMLE Step 1 will be set in the academic calendar.
    - Students may only delay taking the exam beyond the defined deadline if granted permission by the SPCC. This also applies to students pursuing a dual degree.
    - Students are required to take USMLE Step 1 prior to beginning the clinical clerkship year of the medical education curriculum. A student will not be placed in clerkships until a passing score on Step 1 is received.
    - Students enrolling in a dual degree program beginning after the second year of medical school must pass the USMLE Step 1 prior to starting coursework for the non-MD degree.
    - Students must complete all attempts at the USMLE Step 1 by sitting for the exam(s) within 12 months of the date set in the academic calendar or they will subject to dismissal.
  2. USMLE Step 2 CK
    - Students are required to take USMLE Step 2 CK no later than September 15th of their final year of medical school unless granted an extension by the SPCC.
2. USMLE Step 1 Exam Extensions
  1. Students requesting a delay must appear before the SPCC unless granted a short-term exception on an emergency basis (not to exceed two-weeks) by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
  2. Students may only delay taking the exam beyond the defined deadline if granted permission by the SPCC.
  3. Students who do not take Step 1 by the deadline set on the academic calendar are no longer in good standing and will be placed on Academic Monitoring for a length of time determined at the discretion of the SPCC.
  4. Any extensions will be noted on the MSPE and count towards the six-year MD Completion Time Frame.
  5. As a condition of an extension approval, the SPCC may impose additional requirements and restrictions.
  6. Students who do not take Step 1 within the deadline must be enrolled to be eligible to take a USMLE Step exam and will incur additional tuition.
  7. Students who do not take Step 1 within the deadline may not be eligible to graduate with their class.
3. USMLE Step 1 and 2 Exam Failures
  1. Failure of the USMLE Step 1 will result in a delayed start to the clinical clerkships and may result in a delay in graduation. The student will not be placed in clerkships until a passing score is received.
  2. Failure of the USMLE Step 2 CK may result in a delay in graduation.
  3. If a student fails a USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Exam on their first attempt:
    - The student must appear before the SPCC.
    - The student will be placed on Academic Probation.
    - The failure will be noted on the student’s MSPE.
    - The SPCC may determine remediation conditions and deadlines, including the possibility of a leave of absence.
    - Students must be enrolled to be eligible to retake the USMLE Step exam.
    - Students may petition the SPCC for an extension of the deadline.
  4. If a student fails a USMLE Step exam on their second attempt:
    - The student must appear before the SPCC.
    - The student will remain on Academic Probation.
    - The second failure will be noted on the student’s MSPE.
    - The SPCC may determine remediation conditions and deadlines, including the possibility of a leave of absence.
    - Students must be enrolled to be eligible to retake the USMLE Step exam.
    - Students may petition the SPCC for an extension of the deadline.
    - If a student has a second failure of the Step 2 CK, the student must withdraw from electives or required post-clerkship activities until a passing score is received.
  5. Students are only allowed three attempts to pass any single USMLE Step exam (Step 1 or Step 2).
  6. If a student fails on their third attempt:
    - The student must appear before the SPCC.
    - The student is subject to dismissal.
  7. Students who accumulate 4 total USMLE Step exam failures (a combination of Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams):
    - The student must appear before the SPCC.
    - The student is subject to dismissal.