Graduation Qualifications

Graduate Aspirations, Requirements, and DGSOM Program Objectives

Graduation Requirements

Overview

To become eligible for the MD Degree at David Geffen School of Medicine, each student must meet DGSOM program objectives, learning objectives of required courses and clerkships, and required clinical experiences. This is determined through formative and summative assessments in each course and clerkship.

DGSOM has an effective system of student monitoring and advising, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to be aware of their academic performance and possible failure to complete course requirements (as established by each unit of the curriculum). 

At the conclusion of each academic year, the Committee on Academic Standing, Progress, and Promotion reviews the academic progress of each student to make a decision for promotion to the next course year. The Committee on Academic Standing, Progress, and Promotion may require that an individual student repeat a portion or all of an academic year (subsequent to incomplete or unsatisfactory course work or an approved leave of absence). Students have a maximum of six academic years ending at the conclusion of the School of Medicine Spring term of the sixth academic year for degree completion excluding time spent on an approved academic leave of absence. Refer to the Leaves of Absence policy and the annual School of Medicine academic calendars.

Requirements for graduation are listed below. All requirements must be completed to be eligible for graduation.

    Graduation Requirements

  1. Passing All Coursework
    Students must maintain a satisfactory level of performance in DGSOM coursework.
  2. Annual recommendation for promotion by the Committee on Academic Standing, Progress, & Promotion (CASPP)
  3. Passing National Board Examinations
    Students must take and pass USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK)
  4. Passing the Clinical Performance Examination (CPX)
    Students must take and pass CPX
  5. Completion Time
    Students must successfully complete the designated four-year program of medical education. DGSOM does not offer a formal extended program. Recognizing that some students may need additional time, students may take no longer than six years to complete the program. Approved Medical and Academic Leaves of Absence are not counted towards the six-year limit.
  6. Recommendation of Degree
    Upon successful completion of the curriculum of DGSOM, the student is recommended to the FEC for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The final approval for graduation is made by the FEC and the Vice Dean for Education of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Dual Degree Programs

PRIME-LA

PRIME-LA students are required to complete a MD + Master’s Degree. PRIME-LA students must complete their MD + Master’s Degree within 150% of the published program length.

PRIME-LA

UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

MSTP students are required to complete the MD portion of their degree within 150% of the published program length. 

Students complete their medical training at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and their PhD in one of many graduate training programs at UCLA or the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

MSTP Program

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Anesthesiology (OMFS Residency)

The Postdoctoral/Residency Program is a six-year dual-degree training program, leading to both a M.D. degree and an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) residency certificate. The program consists of approximately three years on service as an OMFS resident, two years as a full-time student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and one year as an intern/resident on the General Surgery Service at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

OMFS Program

Master's Degree Programs

DGSOM students who are in good academic standing and have successfully completed required clinical clerkships may pursue:

Degrees for Master's Degrees and the MD will be awarded together upon graduation from the DGSOM MD Program.

Graduate Aspirations

What we aspire our graduates to be:

A COURAGEOUS physician welcomes uncertainty as a space for discovery, questions and challenges the world around them, and is unafraid to do what is difficult. They consistently seek out areas for growth, and are advocates for their patients, profession, science, and society. 

A CURIOUS physician always has the desire to ask “Why”. They are internally motivated to challenge assumptions, ask questions, seek creative answers, and to continuously improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes. 

A DEDICATED physician has the passion to persevere towards long-term goals, is motivated by a strong sense of purpose and ownership, and embraces lifelong learning. 

An ETHICAL physician is honest, altruistic, and patient-centered. They are motivated by duty, integrity, social justice, and concern for the common good. 

A HUMBLE physician recognizes the honor of practicing medicine, helping others, and contributing to scientific knowledge. They accept the limits of their own knowledge and abilities, are willing to grow and change their own perspective, and are open to learning from others.

A HUMANISTIC physician values and strives to treat everyone with kindness, genuine compassion, empathy, and respect for their diverse background and values.

A REFLECTIVE physician is mindful, conscientious and adaptable. They are continuously examining themselves and their environment to improve medicine and health.

A RESILIENT physician purposefully works to strengthen their ability to cope with stress and challenging situations in healthy and productive ways, knows when to seek additional help, and has the resolve to grow in the face of adversity.