Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

MD Program

  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. 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 toward the six-year limit.

  5. 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 is a concurrent/dual degree program with a special emphasis on leadership and advocacy to address healthcare disparities in medically underserved populations in California (and the US). Students in PRIME-LA begin their medical school experience by participating in a Leadership and Advocacy Summer Foundations Program that sets the direction for the program and establishes early group bonding while learning about leadership and advocacy.

During Phase 1 and Phase 2, PRIME-LA students complete the regular DGSOM core curriculum. Students also participate in special selective courses during the Phase 1 and 2. In the summer between the first and second years, students focus on a project/research related to health disparities and problems with access to care within underserved populations and present their project/research at the DGSOM Josiah Brown Poster Day held at the end of the summer.

In Phase 2 (year 2 and 3), students participate in the same clinical clerkships as all other medical students at DGSOM and may request clerkship sites in clinical arenas that particularly address underserved and disadvantaged populations.

During Phase 3 (year 4), students will complete an advanced degree that designs and implements a project related to improving health for the underserved. Advanced degree options include MBA, MPH, MPP, and MS.

The fifth-year will be within the DGSOM Colleges. The “Colleges” further prepare students for residencies and future roles as leaders. College activities include seminars, special and specific electives, a research project, and an intense advising and mentoring program. Sub-internship opportunities to enhance career goals are stressed. Seniors present their leadership projects as part of the DGSOM Senior Scholarship Day.

PRIME-LA

UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

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

Master's Degree Programs

DGSOM medical students who are in good academic/professional standing and have successfully completed their required core clerkships may pursue one of the following UCLA dual masters and medical degree programs:

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