Policy Statement
A student may be dismissed from the Keck School of Medicine of USC by the Student Performance Committee for, but not limited to, any of the following reasons:
- Failure to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress as determined by the Student Performance Committee.
- Failure to pass USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK after three attempts or within one year of the first attempt[1]
- Failure to complete all graduation requirements within six (6) years from the date of matriculation, excluding the PhD phase for MD/PhD students.
- Behavior that would reasonably be expected to place the health and/or well-being of patients or others at risk as determined by the Student Performance Committee.
- Failure to meet the Essential Technical Standards of the program, with reasonable accommodation if necessary.
- Violations of the Code of Professional Behavior, University Student Conduct Code, and/ or University policy.
Policy Requirement
A student may be dismissed from the Keck School of Medicine without first having been placed on probation. Students who are being considered for dismissal may not withdraw.
Procedure for Dismissal
- The student will receive a written statement that they are being considered for dismissal at least ten (10) business days prior to the associated meeting of the Student Performance Committee.
- A student who is being considered for dismissal shall meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs prior to the Student Performance Committee meeting at which time the student will be provided information about rules and procedures to be followed at the SPC meeting.
- The student will be given an opportunity to appear before the Student Performance Committee when a recommendation for dismissal is being considered. The student may waive their right to such an appearance. The student should notify the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in writing within five (5) business days prior to the meeting of their intent to appear.
- The student will be provided information relevant to the proposed dismissal including student records, and other documentation used in arriving at the decision.
- A quorum necessary for action on a proposal to dismiss is defined as the presence of two-thirds of the voting membership of the Student Performance Committee. Affirmative votes by two-thirds of the members present are necessary for dismissal. Failure to achieve sufficient votes for dismissal does not preclude future consideration for dismissal if the Student Performance Committee determines that additional information relevant to the original proposal is identified after the vote or new events or behaviors are identified which meet the criteria for consideration for dismissal.
- Students are expected to author any written submissions and speak on their own behalf during any meetings or hearings on the matter.If they wish to be accompanied by an adviser or wish for the university to share information with their adviser, the adviser must sign a confidentiality agreement and agree to abide by the protocol outlined above.
- The student will have the opportunity to present any relevant information to the Student Performance Committee including affidavits, exhibits and oral testimony. If the student wishes to present written materials to Committee members, the student must submit them to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at least three (3) business days before the meeting. Recommendations for student dismissal must be based upon the information presented at the hearing.
- The Chairperson of the Student Performance Committee will orally transmit the final determination of the Student Performance Committee to the student after completion of the meeting. The final decision of the Committee will be transmitted in writing to the Vice Dean for Medical Education and the student within three (3) business days following the close of the meeting.
A student who has been dismissed by the Student Performance Committee may appeal the decision in accordance with the KSOM MD Program Appeal Process and USC Student Handbook.
Reviewed and Approved: 11/5/2021
Medical Education Executive Council
[1] Will be processed as an administrative withdrawal
Pending Review and Approval
MECC