General Requirements for Graduation

Curricular, Examination, and Enrollment Requirements

Within six (6) years of matriculation, students must meet the following requirements

Pre-Clerkship Coursework

Take and pass all required pre-clerkship courses in the “School of Medicine” series.

Pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination at the end of the pre-clerkship curriculum. Step 1 must be taken before starting the orientation to the core clerkship rotations. Students must pass Step 1 in order to advance to the third-year clinical curriculum.

Elective Concentration

Complete the Elective Concentration requirements in a fully satisfactory manner, unless granted an approved exemption.

Third-Year Coursework

Take and pass all required third-year courses before entering the fourth-year curriculum.

UC San Diego Clinical Practice Examination (CPX)

Take and pass this examination as scheduled by the curriculum.

USMLE Step 2 CK

Pass Step 2 Clinical Knowledge within three (3) months after completion of the third year of the curriculum.

Clinical Selectives and Clerkships

Complete a minimum of three (3) three-week clinical selectives in the third year and six (6) four-week clinical clerkships in the fourth year, plus two elective concentration courses/blocks.

Students exempt from the elective concentration must take two additional electives or independent study electives in the fourth year.

From Principles to Practice Course

Take and pass this core course in the winter quarter of the fourth (senior) year.

Residency Transition Course

Take and pass this course in the spring quarter of the fourth (senior) year.

Enrollment Requirements

Be enrolled in all eight (8) quarters during the third and fourth (senior) years of medical school.

Complete a minimum of ten (10) months of work in the fourth year, of which at least six (6) months must be clinical rotations.