Doctor of Medicine (MD) Policy and Regulations

Doctor of Medicine Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Applicants admitted to the USC School of Medicine Greenville are selected by an admissions committee composed of members of the biomedical science and clinical science faculties of the medical school. Please see the website for Admissions requirements. 

Technical Standards

The USC School of Medicine Greenville has adopted the following technical standards: Technical Standards for Admission, Retention and Graduation. The curriculum of the USC School of Medicine Greenville is designed to provide a general professional education leading to the medical doctor (M.D.) degree and to prepare students to enter graduate medical training in a wide variety of medical specialties and sub-specialties.

All candidates for admission to, and all current students at the School of Medicine Greenville should possess sufficient intellectual capacity, physical ability, emotional and psychological stability, interpersonal sensitivity, and communication skills to acquire the scientific knowledge, interpersonal and technical competencies, professional attitudes, and clinical abilities required to pursue any pathway of graduate medical education and to enter the independent practice of medicine.

Accommodations

It is the policy of USC School of Medicine Greenville to provide reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as necessary for students with disabilities. Approved accommodation will be made in a timely manner and on an individualized and flexible basis consistent with written documentation establishing that the individual is an individual with a qualified disability.

Background Check

A background check is performed for each applicant upon acceptance to the USC School of Medicine Greenville.  See this policy for more details.

Immunizations

The USC School of Medicine Greenville requires that all students, upon matriculation and annually thereafter, have certain immunizations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and our partner health system. More details are available regarding the Required Immunization policy 

Required Health and Disability Insurance

All USC School of Medicine Greenville students are required to have health insurance and disability throughout the duration of their education.  See this policy for details.

HIPAA Training

Mandatory HIPAA training is required during medical school orientation and annually thereafter. Compliance with the training schedule is tracked by the Office for Student Affairs.  See this policy for details.

Academic Requirements for the MD Degree

Upon recommendation by the USC School of Medicine Greenville faculty, the USC will confer the degree of Doctor of Medicine upon candidates who have completed the graduation requirements as described in the Graduation Requirements policy.   

  • attained the School's educational objectives as evidenced by satisfactory completion of prescribed basic science modules and clinical clerkships and electives and acquisition of all required clinical skills.
  • passed Steps 1 and 2-CK (Clinical Knowledge) of the USMLE.
  • discharged all financial obligations to the USC School of Medicine Greenville and to the University of South Carolina

Promotion Policy

A medical school ensures that the medical education program has a single set of core standards for the advancement and graduation of all medical students.  A medical school ensures that there is a fair and formal process for taking any action that may affect the status of a medical student, including timely notice of the impending action, disclosure of the evidence on which the action would be based, an opportunity for the medical student to respond, and an opportunity to appeal any adverse decision related to advancement, graduation, or dismissal.   

This Student Evaluation, Remediation, Requirements for Promotion, and Appeal policy outlines and ensures that there is a fair and formal process for taking any action that may affect the status of a medical student, including timely notice of the impending action, disclosure of the evidence on which the action would be based, an opportunity for the medical student to respond, and an opportunity to appeal any adverse decision related to advancement, graduation, or dismissal. 

Honor and Professionalism Policy

The purpose of the Honor and Professionalism System of USC School of Medicine Greenville is to promote and maintain the basic ethical and professional principles paramount to the success of a student preparing for the profession of Medicine. The Honor and Professionalism System obligates medical students, as future physicians and representatives of the USC School of Medicine Greenville, to conduct themselves with honor and integrity in all aspects of their lives. There are three aspects of the Honor and Professionalism System:

  • USC Policy STAF 6.25: Academic Responsibility - The Honor Code
  • USC Policy STAF 6.26: Student Code of Conduct
  • USC School of Medicine Greenville STAF 5.01 Expectation of Personal and Professional Conduct, which includes the USC School of Medicine Greenville Statement of Professionalism

The Honor and Professionalism System is introduced to new medical classes each year at M1 Orientation, and each student is asked to sign a statement acknowledging that they have been informed of the Policies and Procedures of the Honor and Professionalism System. The acceptance of the Honor Code assures that the integrity of students is unquestioned and accepted by all in the academic, clinical and research communities. The Honor and Professionalism Council (HPC) is a committee of medical students elected from the second, third, and fourth year classes with endorsement by the Dean. It functions to ensure the upholding of the Honor and Professionalism System for all actions that directly bear upon students and their relationships with their colleagues, faculty, patients, the institution and the community. Every student enrolled at USC School of Medicine Greenville is expected to abide by the Honor and Professionalism System at all times while on the campuses of USC School of Medicine Greenville, partner health system campus, as well as off campus and in the community. The USC Policy STAF 6.26: Student Code of Conduct extends to incidents off campus which may adversely affect the USC School of Medicine Greenville community or which may affect the school’s pursuit of its mission. Any conduct within the USC School of Medicine Greenville community that undermines the spirit of the Honor and Professionalism System is a violation. Specific incidents will be considered with regard to the context in which they occur, the alleged infraction, and the magnitude of the alleged offense. Violations of the Honor Code, Professionalism or Student Code of Conduct standards include, but are not limited to:

  • Lying - including any form of dishonesty or misrepresentation, omission, fabrication or falsification of documents or clinical reports
  • Cheating - using or attempting to use any unauthorized materials, devices or study aids in or prior to an examination, OSCE or any other academic work. Giving or receiving any unauthorized assistance in the completion of any examination, OSCE or other academic work as well as preventing or attempting to prevent others from using authorized materials
  • Plagiarism or copyright violation
  • Stealing
  • Violations of the Chemical Dependency policy
  • Unprofessional behavior, including but not limited to, any breach of patient confidentiality
  • Inappropriate conduct on campus, in the community or via social media (includes following USC School of Medicine Greenville policy related to COVID-19 related physical distancing and face covering requirements)
  • Repeated lack of accountability

The Honor and Professionalism System policy further describes the reporting process, investigation, and appeal process.