Medical School Requirements

Evaluation of Student Performance - Classes Entering 2019, 2020

Faculty members assess student performance in the foundational blocks as pass/fail, in the third year clinical clerkships as pass with distinction/pass/fail, and in the fourth year as pass/fail. Class rank is determined by grade point average in the third year. Students may earn Honors based on two main criteria: academic performance and successful completion of a scholarly project.

Evaluation of Student Performance - Classes Entering 2017, 2018

Faculty members assess student performance in the foundational blocks as pass/fail, in the third year clinical clerkships as pass with distinction/pass/fail, and in the fourth year as pass/fail.  Class rank is determined by total aggregate performance.  Students may earn Honors based on two main criteria:  academic performance and successful completion of a scholarly project.

Repeating a Course

Repetition of any part of the curriculum is upon recommendation of the Academic and Professionalism Committee.

Withdrawal or Leave of Absence

Withdrawal or leave of absence may be granted by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs upon recommendation by the Academic and Professionalism Committee.

M.D. Degree Requirements

The degree of Doctor of Medicine is awarded by the medical faculty of the University of Kansas to a student who has satisfactorily completed the medical school curriculum. The student must also pass Steps 1 and 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

United States Medical Licensing

The National Board of Medical Examiners prepares and administers a three-part examination known as the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE are taken while the student is enrolled in medical school. Step 3 may be taken by a physician who has passed Steps 1 and 2 and has served at least six months of an approved hospital residency. National Board certification is awarded to candidates who successfully pass all three parts of the test and satisfy the requirements of the medical licensing authorities of most states. To graduate from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, students must pass Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE. Students must pass Step 1 to continue in the clinical program. Applications to take both Step 1 and Step 2 are available online at https://apps.nbme.org/nlesweb/#/login.   Residents register for the Step 3 exam via the same website.