Offices of Medical Student Education: Policy on Grading Translational Education at Carolina (TEC) 2.0 Foundation Phase Patient Centered Care (PCC) and Social and Health Systems (SHS) Courses

Unit Policy

Title

Offices of Medical Student Education: Policy on Grading Translational Education at Carolina (TEC) 2.0 Foundation Phase Patient Centered Care (PCC) and Social and Health Systems (SHS) Courses

Introduction

Purpose

This Policy establishes the grading structure and standards of advancement for PCC and SHS courses in the Foundation Phase of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("University") School of Medicine's (SOM) Medical Doctorate degree (MD) Program.

Scope

This Policy applies to MD Program students ("Students"), staff, instructors, and course directors.

Policy

Policy Statement

Students are expected to fulfill all course objectives identified in the syllabi of their PCC and SHS courses. To pass each course, a Student must meet the minimum expectations outlined by their course director(s).

Per the Policy on Timeliness of Summative Assessments and Grades, Students' PCC and SHS course grades will be posted in Canvas within thirty-five (35) days of the end of each course. The Assistant Director for the Foundation Phase (or their designee) is responsible for notifying Students, through Canvas, when their grades have been posted.

Grading Structure

  1. A Student who meets a course's minimum expectations, satisfies the attendance requirements of the Foundation Phase Attendance and Personal Leave Policy, and has no egregious or repetitive unprofessional behavior, will receive a grade of P (Pass) for PCC or SHS courses.
  2. A Student who does not meet the minimum expectations for the PCC or SHS course will receive a grade of F (Fail) for the PCC or SHS course. The Student may have the opportunity for Remediation during the summer for MS1 courses or during the spring for MS2 courses, if permission is granted by the Student Progress Committee (SPC). If the SPC permits Remediation and the course is successfully completed, the Student will receive a grade of P (Pass) for the course. The Student's original failing grade will remain on their transcript.

Remediation

The SPC has the authority and discretion to approve or not approve the opportunity to Remediate and make recommendations based on a Student's individual academic circumstances. A Student is eligible for Remediation if (1) the SPC permits Remediation and (2) there are no professional concerns regarding the Student.

Students may Remediate up to two (2) courses in the summer between the MS1 and MS2 years or the winter/spring of the MS2 year. This includes Medical Science courses as well as PCC and SHS courses.

A Student who fails Remediation will receive a second course grade of F (Fail). The Student will then be reviewed again by the SPC to discuss Deceleration.

Definitions

Patient Centered Care: There is one (1) Patient Centered Care course in each of the three (3) semesters of TEC 2.0 (PCC1, PCC 2, and PCC3).

Social and Health Systems: There is one (1) Social and Health Systems course in each of the three (3) semesters of TEC 2.0 (SHS 1, SHS 2, and SHS 3).

  • Note: All Students are required to take and pass a PCC course and an SHS course in each of the three (3) semesters of the TEC 2.0 curriculum.

Remediate, Remediation: Remediation refers to the process of providing additional instruction, support, and interventions to Students who Fail (F) a course.

Decelerate, Deceleration: Deceleration is an alternative distribution of the preclinical courses that allows Students to complete the first and second year curriculum in three (3) years. Deceleration may allow Students to decompress their curriculum or repeat a course (or courses) in which they have deficiencies or failing grades. Deceleration must be approved by the Student Progress Committee (SPC).

Related Requirements

External Regulations

Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: Kathleen Barnhouse, Associate Dean for Preclinical Curriculum

Email: Kathleen_barnhouse@med.unc.edu

Publication Details

  • Issuing Officer: Heather Tarantino, Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs
    • Email: heather_tarantino@med.unc.edu
  • Effective Date: August 1, 2025
  • Review Cycle: Education Committee will review on an as-needed basis with input from the Foundation Phase Committee
  • Next Review Date: July 31, 2027
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