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OSA Academic Handbook
Offices of the DeanOffice of Student AffairsOSA Academic HandbookSchool PoliciesGrading System Policy

Grading System Policy

For RENAISSANCE Curriculum only

Grading System Policy

Scope and Purpose

The system of grades rewards academic accomplishment and simultaneously provides feedback to individual students regarding their progress toward graduation and further medical training. This new system replaces the previous letter-grade system and is designed to represent student achievement accurately and fairly as a part of a major curriculum revision.

Policy Statement

The medical education program employs both 2-tier and 4-tier Pass/Fail grading systems (see below). Specific criteria for each grade are determined by course leadership in conjunction with the Office of Medical Education and the Curriculum Coordinating Committee. Students will be informed of course grading rubrics at the start of each course.

4-Tier Pass/Fail Grades

LabelSymbolGPACutoff*Description
Honors MH 4.0 >=88.0 % Honors; Exemplary
High Pass MHP 3.0 >=78.0 % High Pass; Outstanding
Pass MP 2.0 >=68.0 % Pass; Very Good
Fail MF 0.0 < 68.0 % Fail - An F in a required course or clerkship mandates remediation. Both the original grade of F and the grade received after remediation will be recorded on the transcript.
Remediated Pass MFP 2.0 < 68.0 % Remediated Pass (by Exam) after a Fail; if remediated by examination (versus retaking the course) this is the highest grade achievable and as noted above both the original grade of F and the grade received after remediation will be recorded on the transcript

2-Tier Pass/Fail Grades

LabelSymbolGPACutoff*Description
Pass MP n/a >=68.0 % Pass
Fail MF n/a < 68.0 % Fail - An F in a required course or clerkship mandates remediation. Both the original grade of F and the grade received after remediation will be recorded on the transcript.

*Cutoffs are for preclerkship courses only

Off-campus electives that do not supply a final letter grade following the UMSOM 4-tier grading system shall have those grades converted to 2-tier (Pass/Fail).

Incomplete

This designation is used when mitigating circumstances (e.g., illness) prevent the student from completing a course on time. A student who has not fulfilled all requirements by the end of the sixth week after the end of the course will receive an Incomplete. A student who has not fulfilled all requirements for registered research by the end of the eighth week after the end of the course will receive an Incomplete until a grade is assigned. If the Incomplete is not remedied within 1 year of the end of the course, the student will be withdrawn from the course, and a W will appear on the transcript.

Auditing a Course

Audited courses appear on the transcript with an AU designation but do not receive an evaluation or grade, will not count toward degree requirements, and will not appear in the MSPE. Students pay full tuition and fees for audited courses. Credited courses may not switch to audit (or vice versa) after the start of the course. Students auditing a course are expected to adhere to all standards of professionalism and expectations as set forth by the course director. Until two weeks prior to the start of the course, priority must be given to students enrolling for credit over students choosing to audit. Away rotations that do not meet the UMSOM definition of an elective (e.g., virtual electives) will be enrolled as audit.

History

Approved: CCC, March 17, 2020
Amended: CCC, March 16, 2021 (Incomplete, Auditing a Course)
Amended: CCC, August 17, 2021 (Incomplete)