Assessment of Student Performance - Classes Entering 2020, 2021, 2022 

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. 

Assessment of Student Performance - Class Entering 2023 

Faculty members assess student performance in the foundational blocks, the third-year clinical clerkships, and the fourth year as pass/fail. Class rank is determined by total aggregate performance. Students may earn Honors based on two main criteria: honors in academics and honors in clinical skills. 

Withdrawal or Leave of Absence 

Information about withdrawals and leaves of absence can be found in the Policy for Medical School Attendance in Educational Activities, Excused Absences, Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals.   

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 examinations 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. 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.