UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TECHNICAL STANDARDS

I. Purpose

A candidate for the M.D. degree at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine (UCSD SOM) must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to complete the core UCSD SOM educational requirements, including those Technical Standards outlined in this document; achieve the UCSD SOM competencies in the basic and clinical sciences; and be able to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners of medicine.

The goal of medical education is to receive the training and skills needed to integrate the arts and science of medicine and be positioned to have meaningful locally, regionally, nationally, and/or globally impactful careers aimed at bettering humanity. To do this, candidates for the M.D. degree at UCSD SOM connect to a mission greater than themselves and develop both deep and robust medical knowledge bases and outstanding clinical skills. Furthermore, candidates develop the ability to appropriately apply this knowledge base and skills, effectively interpret information, and contribute to decisions across a broad spectrum of medical situations in varied settings—all while attending to self-care and seeking help when needed, both professionally and personally. Critical skills needed for the successful navigation of core experiences are outlined below, and include the ability to observe and communicate, as well as to understand, integrate core knowledge and skills, and to behave appropriately in varied educational and professional situations.

The University of California San Diego SOM is committed to the full and equitable inclusion of diverse qualified learners with and without disabilities and fully supports the use of reasonable accommodations when needed. 

II. Standards

III. Procedure

Technical Standards and Technical Standards Committee

At the time of acceptance to the UCSD SOM, students will be provided with a copy of the Technical Standards and will be asked to certify that they understand they must meet those standards.

The Technical Standards will be periodically reviewed and updated as needed. The version of the technical standards at the time of a student’s matriculation will be applicable throughout the student’s enrollment.

Evaluation and Implementation of Reasonable Accommodations

Students with disabilities should contact the UCSD SOM Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) prior to matriculation or during enrollment if accommodation needs arise. The OSD will engage in a collaborative process with the student, the Technical Standards Committee, and/or other UCSD SOM faculty members as needed to determine reasonable accommodations. Given the clinical nature of medical education, additional time may be needed to implement accommodations. Timely information and requests by students are essential and encouraged as accommodations are not applied retroactively.

 IV. Statement of Understanding and Agreement 

I understand that fulfillment of the technical standards for graduation from the UCSD SOM does not mean that I will be able to fulfill the technical requirements of every residency program.

This document applies to all years of my medical school training at the UCSD SOM

I have read and understood the above University of California San Diego School of Medicine Technical Standards. I agree to adhere to the stated procedures.