Policy on Time to Graduation for Medical Students
Background
Washington University School of Medicine (WashU SOM) aims to ensure that medical students progress through their educational programs in a timely, structured, and supported manner, demonstrating sustained progress toward graduation competency while maintaining the highest standards of academic and professional excellence. This policy is in keeping with LCME standard 10.3, requiring policies and procedures regarding student promotion and graduation within the educational program. The Time to Graduation policy is intended to be in the best interest of the student and the school, both of whom are spending time and resources on a student's progression through medical school.
The standard WashU SOM MD program is a four-year curriculum with optional opportunities to be combined with other degree-based or year-long scholarly activities that would extend the time to graduation by a defined period. Students may also require additional time due to leaves of absence for medical or personal issues. Please refer to the Leave of Absence Policy for Medical Students for details. The Time to Graduation policy identifies the maximum completion time allowed for successful completion of the MD program.
Policies
- Students enrolled in the standard four-year MD curriculum program must complete their MD degree within six years from their matriculation date.
- WashU SOM offers several opportunities to augment the MD program with other degree-based or year-long scholarly activities. For students enrolled in one of these approved programs, the maximum time permitted for completion of the MD degree is as follows:
- For approved dual degree programs, the total time to graduation shall be the allowed maximum of 6 years for the MD program plus the standard number of years allowed for completion of the dual/second degree by their respective program.
- For approved year-long research programs or other scholarly activities, the total time to graduation shall be the allowed maximum of 6 years for the MD program plus one additional year for the approved research program or scholarly activity.
The table below summarizes the maximum time to graduation for common WashU SOM degree-based programs and year-long scholarly activities. This list is not meant to provide a comprehensive account of all WashU SOM degree-based programs.
| WashU SOM Program | MD Component | Additional Component | Maximum Time to Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD | 4 years | 0 years | 6 years |
| Advocacy Program | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| Extramural Research Year | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| Master of Science in Clinical Investigation | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| Master of Population Health Sciences | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| Master of Public Health | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| Master of Business Administration | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| Master of Biomedical Informatics | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| MD5 (year-long research) | 4 years | 1 year | 7 years |
| MSTP | 4 years | 3-7 years | 9-13 years |
- Leaves of absence from the MD or other degree-based or year-long scholarly activities count toward the time to graduation. Students requiring a leave of absence must follow the Leave of Absence Policy for Medical Students.
- Students who are unable to or for whom there is an anticipated inability to complete their degree requirements within the approved time will be subject to review by the Committee for Academic Promotion (CAP). The committee may recommend additional support resources, further extensions, or dismissal from the program if satisfactory progress cannot be achieved.
Under exceptional circumstances, a student may request an extension in the maximum time to graduation by submitting a statement in writing to the Office of Medical Student Affairs (OMSA) detailing the reasons for the request and a proposed plan and timeline for completing their degree requirements. The OMSA will refer the request to CAP, which will render a decision on the request based on the student's academic performance, personal circumstances, and progress toward degree completion. At their discretion, the CAP may stipulate certain requirements based on the student's individual circumstances in keeping with the aforementioned Leave of Absence Policy for Medical Students. Each extension may only be approved for a maximum of 12 months. Additional extensions may be considered and will require re-petition by the student through the same mechanisms detailed above. Additional academic and personal support resources may be provided to assist students in meeting their educational goals within the extended time frame.
Last approved December 2, 2024