Offices of Medical Student Education: Policy on Doctor of Medicine Degree Requirements

This Policy outlines the progression requirements that University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine students must fulfill in order to receive a Medical Doctorate (MD) degree.

Unit Policy

Title

Offices of Medical Student Education: Policy on Doctor of Medicine Degree Requirements

Introduction

Purpose

This Policy outlines the progression requirements University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“University”) School of Medicine (SOM) students must fulfill in order to receive a Medical Doctorate (MD) degree.

Scope

This Policy applies to all MD degree program students (“Students”).

Policy

Policy Statement

To receive an MD degree, Students must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Progress from the Foundation Phase to the Application Phase (not applicable to transfer Students);
2. Progress from the Application Phase to the Individualization Phase;
3. Demonstrate satisfactory compliance with the Technical Standards for Medical Students, including exhibiting the professional characteristics expected of a physician; and
4. Adhere to all applicable SOM, University, UNC Health, and clinical site policies.

Definitions

Foundation Phase: The first eighteen (18) months of the medical school curriculum comprised of:

• Nine (9) Medical Science courses (three (3) per semester)
• Three (3) semesters of Patient Centered Care (PCC)
• Three (3) semesters of Social and Health Systems (SHS)

Application Phase: The thirteen (13)-month phase of the medical school curriculum dedicated to core clinical experiences, beginning in March and ending in February of the following year consisting of:

• Six (6) clinical courses:
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Community Based Primary Care
  • Pediatrics
  • General Surgery
  • Psychiatry
• One (1) Conclusion of Application Phase (CAP) Course
• One (1) longitudinal course:
  • Social and Health Systems 4

Individualization Phase: The final thirteen (13) months of the medical school curriculum dedicated to the completion of graduation requirements and electives tailored to a Student’s career interest, beginning in March and ending in May of the following year consisting of:

• Two (2) Acting Internships
• One (1) Critical Care Selective
• One (1) Neurology Selective
• Three (3) Electives
• Transition to Residency (TTR)
• Two (2) longitudinal courses:
  • Science of Medicine
  • Social and Health Systems 5

Related Requirements

External Regulations

• Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Functions and Standards of a Medical School
  • LCME 9.6: Setting Standards of Achievement
  • LCME 9.9: Student Advancement and Appeal Process
  • LCME 10.3: Policies Regarding Student Selection/Progress and their Dissemination

Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures

• Technical Standards Policy
• TEC 2.0 Foundation Phase Grade and Remediation Policy
• Policy on Completion of USMLE Step Examinations
• TEC 1.0 Individualization Phase Course Requirements Policy
• TEC 2.0 Individualization Phase Course Requirements Policy

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: Heather Tarantino, Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs

Email: Heather_Tarantino@med.unc.edu

Publication Details

Issuing Officer: Anthony Passannante, Senior Associate Dean for Medical Student Education

Effective Date: 6/16/2025

Next Review Date: The Education Committee will review and approve this Policy every even-numbered year or as needed.