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Academic Policies
Professionalism & Conduct Policies
General Policies
Academic Policies
Academic Progress
The Higher Education Amendments that govern Title IV Federal Financial Assistance Programs state a student shall be entitled to receive federal student assistance benefits only if that student is maintaining progress in the course of study he/she is pursuing, according to the standards and practices of the institution.
LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine’s Policy Academic Progress requires a student to complete the medical curriculum by meeting both a qualitative (grade requirement) and a quantitative (work completed) requirement as prescribed by the faculty. All students must complete the curriculum of each year and receive a grade of “P” or better in all required courses before proceeding to the next year or graduating. Students also must complete the graduation requirements by the time of regular spring graduation during the sixth year following the first enrollment.
The student promotions committees makes the determination for Academic Progress. The committee is responsible for reviewing the progress of students at the end of each course or clerkship and at the end of an academic year. Continued enrollment, remedial work and/or repeat of one or more courses, must be approved by the student promotions committee.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
The Federal Student Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy differs from other institutional academic policies, but is consistent with the minimum graduation requirements in place prior to the start of the effective school year. The Financial Aid SAP policy considers only an “F” grade as a failing grade, whereas, the academic programs consider “D” and “F” grades as failing grades. The Financial Aid SAP policy does not monitor the number of “C” or “D” grades received by a student. The academic departments, however, limits the number of “C” and “D” grades that students can receive while enrolled in their current academic programs. Revisions to this policy and implementation, thereof, may not coincide with changes to mid-year academic program policy. A student who has an academic dismissal recommendation overridden by the Dean is not automatically eligible for financial aid. The student is still required to meet Financial Aid SAP requirements or appeal successfully to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. It is possible for a student to be in good academic standing with their academic program and be ineligible for financial aid because of the student’s failure to meet the Financial Aid SAP requirements.
Aid applicants and recipients will be assigned one of the following statuses after SAP evaluations: Good Standing, Financial Aid Warning, Financial Aid Probation, Academic Plan, and Unsatisfactory. Refer to the Financial Aid Academic Requirements for more information.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Appeal of Academic Dismissal
This policy outlines the procedure for the appeal of a dismissal for academic reasons.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Attendance/Absence Policy
Developing competency to practice medicine within four years requires reliable attendance. This policy formalizes the process for requesting time off for either planned or unexpected absences during the four years of medical school. The clear communication of expectations between students and course and clerkship directors will permit flexibility within reasonable limits in a way that does not impact either education or reflect on a student’s professionalism.
Calculation of Quintile Rank
Class rank for a given academic year (MSI, MSII, MSIII) is based on course scores received during that year. All course scores are included in the calculation of class rank. When a course must be repeated due to a failing score, the initial score received, rather than the remediation score, is used in the calculation, to be fair to students who successfully completed all courses the first time.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Conflict of Interest Policy
Faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and committee members must not have, or appear to have, interests that conflict with the best interests of a student. Any such conflicts must be disclosed and resolved immediately.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Comprehensive Physical Exam Policy (MS2)
At the end of the second year, MS2 students are required to complete a comprehensive physical exam on a standardized patient and must achieve a score of 90% or better to demonstrate proficiency. Students that fail to achieve 90% are required to re-take the exam until they are able to demonstrate proficiency.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Confidentiality of Student Education Records
Students may request in writing for any individual to be granted access to their student records. Access is provided by extracting and securely transmitting the requested records. Access is not granted directly to the electronic records system. The policy is designed to ensure that student educational records are available only to faculty and administration who are permitted to review them in accordance with FERPA and to outline the policy of disclosure of student records to a member of the faculty or administration who have legitimate educational interest.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Course/Clerkship Remediation Policy
This policy describes the process for students seeking remediation of MD courses and clerkships and outlines the criteria for successful remediation.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Examination Policy and Procedures
This policy sets forth guidelines for internal written exams and NBME Subject Examinations at the School of Medicine.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Final Grade Appeals
This policy outlines the procedure for the appeal of a course grade for any portion of the medical education curriculum.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Formative Assessment and Feedback
LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) ensures that each medical student is assessed and provided with formative feedback that allows progress in learning to be monitored. Feedback must be provided early enough to allow sufficient time for remediation at the approximate midpoint of a module, course, or clerkship. Course and clerkship directors are responsible for ensuring that students receive formative assessment in each required course or clerkship. The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for compliance oversight and non-compliance follow-up.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Grade Notification Policy
Pre-Clerkship Policy: The Medical School Registrar is responsible for monitoring and reporting that all grades for pre-clerkship courses are submitted in the learning management system within 14 calendar days of the course ending.
Clerkship Policy: The Medical School Registrar is responsible for monitoring and reporting that all clerkship and elective grades are submitted within four (4) weeks of the course ending.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Grading System
Student performance is evaluated by the course director(s) and teaching faculty of each course. Final grades are based on a composite score derived from written, oral, and practical examination scores, and the score from other required activities. The course director(s) is responsible for final determination of each student’s final grade.
Leave of Absence
LSU Health students are expected to proceed through the medical school curriculum in a continuous, uninterrupted fashion. In the event of extenuating circumstances that necessitate a temporary period of non-enrollment, students may request a leave of absence (LOA). Requests for a leave may be granted by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or his/her designee or when recommended by a faculty committee. Leave may be granted, if deemed appropriate, for health, personal, or family reasons, or for special academic study. A leave of absence is granted for a finite period, not to exceed twelve (12) months. If for any reason the leave extends beyond one year, an extension may be granted for unusual circumstances if the student requests an extension in writing at least thirty days (30) before the expected reentry date. The School of Medicine reports all leaves/interruptions of medical education in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Medical School Performance Evaluation Policy (MSPE)
A medical school provides an MSPE, which is required for a residency application of a medical student, only on or after the date required by ERAS, ACGME, and AAMC of the student’s final year of the medical education program.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Medical Student Supervision & Level of Responsibility
Medical students should be provided with appropriate levels of supervision as they progress through their education towards a career in patient care. A supervising preceptor will ensure that medical students are provided with opportunities to learn that are progressive and commensurate with the student’s level of learning.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
MS2 Comprehensive Physical Exam Policy
At the end of the second year, MS2 students are required to complete a comprehensive physical exam on a standardized patient and must achieve a score of 90% or better to demonstrate proficiency. Students that fail to achieve 90% are required to re-take the exam until they are able to demonstrate proficiency.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Narrative Assessment
A written narrative description of a medical student’s performance, including his or her noncognitive achievement, will be included as a component of the assessment in each required course and clerkship of the medical education program whenever teacher-student interaction permits this form of assessment.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
NBME Final Exam Grading & Remediation Policy
Students must successfully pass the NBME Final Examinations in Module II Courses and Clerkships to meet the requirements for academic progression.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Non-Involvement of Healthcare Provider in Student Assessment
An LSUHSC-S faculty or staff member who has provided medical or psychological services for a medical student will not serve in an evaluative capacity for the student or supervise educational activities that result in evaluation or assessment. They specifically must not supervise the student in the clinical setting, provide an academic assessment of the student, participate in assigning grades for that student or participate in making decisions about academic advancement or lack thereof for that student.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Oversight Extramural Elective Policy
LSUHSC-S School of Medicine screens all extramural elective choices at LCME accredited and non-accredited institutions to carefully assess the potential risks to student health and safety and to patient safety.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Polices for Awarding Credit
The institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Promotions Committee
The Academic Success Council (ASC) has the responsibility to monitor academic performance and professionalism for medical students, assist them with academic and professional issues, and make recommendations regarding a student’s promotion, remediation, probation, suspension, or dismissal. The ASC also maintains direct responsibility for academic actions, such as involuntary leave of absence, suspension, dismissals and return to registration from leave of absence, and decisions on student appeals of such actions.
The ASC has the responsibility for final action relating to student promotions. They also have an obligation to conduct a comprehensive review of the records of students who have acquired deficiencies, using all pertinent data available from any appropriate source, such as student files, and associated information from the Office of Student Affairs. In order to assure that the committee has adequate information for making a proper decision, it may be indicated to seek comments from a student’s faculty advisor, or any other faculty member designated by the student.
In reaching a decision on action to be taken in connection with a student who has incurred deficiencies, the committee shall give due consideration to the nature, extent, and significance of the deficiencies manifested. It shall take into account the relationship of the activity and time required for completion of the measures for removal of deficiency specified by the departments involved. It shall also evaluate the influence of other factors which relate to the best interest of the student and the School. The committee may designate an appropriate course of action as described below:
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Promotion after removal of all deficiencies as specified.
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Permission to repeat the year taking the entire course work of that year on probation
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Dismissal for failure to meet the requirements in a satisfactory manner
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Special procedure, which may be indicated in exceptional cases
In the event that a student fails to remove a deficiency, the committee shall decide which of the remaining alternatives stated above is to be followed. When a student is given permission to repeat a year, previously earned grades will not be changed.
Should a member of a promotions committee be the course or clerkship director who assigned a student’s failing course grade or be directly involved in the process leading to the student’s review by that promotions committee, that committee member may be present at the meeting to discuss the factors leading to the promotions committee review, but will recuse him or herself from the final vote.
For the full charter for the Academic Success Council, read Article IV from the Faculty Bylaws (accessible via the drop-down menu at the top of this page).
Remediation Policy
Students will be notified no later than five working days after grades have been posted if remediation of a course or clerkship is deemed necessary.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Requesting Alternate Assignments
The School of Medicine manages students’ selection of and assignment to learning experiences. Medical students with appropriate rationale may request an alternative assignment when circumstances allow for it.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Requirements for Graduation
Students must successfully complete all listed criteria to be eligible for graduation.
- Satisfactory completion of all coursework and requirements specified in the curriculum.
- Enrollment as a student in the School of Medicine while completing at least the final two academic years of course work unless extraordinary circumstances have arisen. Specifically, third and fourth-year rotations must be taken on campus or, with departmental approval, at affiliated institutions. The curricular requirements of the School of Medicine shall be adhered to in all cases.
- Approval by promotions committee and recommendation by the faculty of the School of Medicine for conferring of the degree, Doctor of Medicine.
- Satisfactory status concerning financial obligations to the institution.
- Certification that all materials issued as returnable items have been accounted for in an acceptable manner.
- Successfully complete Step 1 of USMLE.
- Health Sciences Center policy requires that all work toward a degree be completed within six calendar years. The time granted a student for a leave of absence will not be included in the maximum time period for completion of the program.
- Sit for the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge prior to graduation.
- Attend Commencement, unless excused in writing, by the Dean.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Student Evaluation Completion Policy
Students must complete 100%, per academic year, of their assigned evaluations of courses, faculty, modules, clerkships, and clinical sites.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Student Mistreatment Policy
LSUHSC-S School of Medicine shall provide and maintain a safe and effective learning environment in which students, residents, fellows, faculty, and staff work together to educate and learn in a manner that promotes the highest level of patient care, and the institution shall respond to allegations that disrupt this safe and effective learning environment in a systematic way that protects the student.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Student Workload Policy
This policy outlines workload/duty hour guidelines for medical students in all phases of the curriculum.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Technical Standards
The School of Medicine has adopted technical standards which consist of certain minimum physical and cognitive abilities and emotional characteristics that candidates for admission, promotion, and graduation must possess to complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of medical training, with or without reasonable accommodation.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
USMLE Step I Policy and Promotion to the MSIII Year
In order to support the success of medical students on the USMLE Step 1 examination, all second-year medical students will take a National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Customized Exam in January and the NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Exam in May.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
USMLE Step II Policy
All students are required to pass the USMLE Step 2 CK exam in order to graduate from the School of Medicine.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Professionalism & Conduct Policies
Addressing Unprofessional Behavior
Professional behavior is expected of School of Medicine students throughout their matriculation in the medical school curriculum. Professional conduct includes, but is not limited to, a responsibility to patients, peers, faculty members, staff, and oneself. It also includes responsibility for self-education and self-improvement, timeliness, attendance, and active participation in course activities.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Statement of Professionalism
Professionalism is the basis of medicine’s contract with society. It demands placing the interests of patients above those of the physician, setting and maintaining standards of competence and integrity, and providing expert advice to society on matters of health. Medical students are expected to develop and exhibit the following professional qualities that are essential to the practice of medicine: accountability, compassion, duty, excellence, integrity, life-long learning, respect, social responsibility, and teamwork.
For the full statement, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Student Code of Conduct
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) students should explicitly uphold the basic principles of behavior that constitute the highest standards of academic, professional and ethical conduct, as described in the Student Code of Conduct. Agreement to the Code of Conduct by signature is required of each student before completing registration to enter the medical school. The Code of Conduct is not intended to be a mere listing of matters that constitute infractions but is intended to be a declaration made by each student to uphold the high standards of integrity and honesty of the medical science professions.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Student Mistreatment & Learning Environment Policy
LSUHSC-S School of Medicine shall provide and maintain a safe and effective learning environment in which students, residents, fellows, faculty, and staff work together to educate and learn in a manner that promotes the highest level of patient care, and the institution shall respond to allegations that disrupt this safe and effective learning environment in a systematic way that protects the student.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
General Policies
Complaints & Grievances
All students in the School of Medicine (SOM) at LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport have the right to express a complaint/grievance on academic or non-academic issues. Students must demonstrate evidence of error, miscalculation, omission, or other action negatively impacting the student. Students are expected to follow established procedural guidelines for academic and/or non-academic complaints or issues.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Emergency Preparedness & Inclement Weather Policy
Pre-Clerkship Phase
The administration at LSUHSC-S decides when the campus is closed due to inclement weather. If LSUHSC-S School of Medicine is closed or delayed in opening for inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, in-person pre-clerkship courses will be canceled and will resume when the campus officially reopens. Students should receive instructions from the course directors if online assignments are created to replace in-person didactics.
The LSUHSC-S Alert system will serve to notify faculty, students, and staff of such events. Course directors, in conjunction with the Office of Academic Affairs, will notify students about plans to reschedule any missed sessions and assessments due to the closure or delay.
Clinical Phase
In the event that the school is closed, faculty and students with clinical responsibilities are professionally obligated to provide that care even during inclement weather. Students with clinical duties should report to their assigned site regardless of the Medical School closures or delays provided traveling would not place the student at serious risk of injury. Students should consult with their resident and physician supervisors to determine the risks/benefits involving travel during these periods.
If a student is on an outpatient service, on an elective rotation, or at a non-LSUHSC site, the student should confirm that the site is functioning before reporting for duty. If LSUHSC-S is open and a student is unable to report to their assigned site, the student may be required to make up the missed time. If LSUHSC-S is closed, students will not be required to make up missed time.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Social Media Policy
Each student is responsible for his or her postings on the Internet and in all varieties of social media. In all communications, students are expected to be courteous, respectful, and considerate of others. Inappropriate postings on the Internet or social media will be considered lapses in the standards of professionalism expected of LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) students. Students responsible for such postings are subject to the disciplinary process in the same manner as for any other unprofessional behavior that occurs outside the academic setting. Students who do not follow these expectations may face disciplinary actions including dismissal from the LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
LSUHSC-S is dedicated to providing its students, residents, faculty, staff, and patients with an environment of respect, dignity, and support. The diverse backgrounds, personalities, and learning needs of individual students must be considered at all times in order to foster appropriate and effective teacher-learner relationships. Honesty, fairness, evenhanded treatment, and respect for students’ physical and emotional well-being are the foundation of establishing an effective learning environment. LSUHSC-S students should explicitly uphold the basic principles of behavior that constitute the highest standards of academic, professional and ethical conduct. Students are responsible for complying with all policies/procedures, rules and regulations and other information published by LSUHSCS.
For the full text of CM-21, please visit LSUHS Intranet.
Student Exposure Policy
LSUHSC-S School of Medicine seeks to prevent and mitigate medical student and visiting medical student exposure to infectious and environmental hazards through education and the use of appropriate procedures.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
Student Diversity Policy
The School of Medicine is committed to utilizing practical and intentional recruitment and retention strategies to achieve its mission-appropriate student diversity outcomes. The school-defined diversity categories for the School of Medicine are African American, Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Veterans, and prospective students who reside in a rural parish. While not required, we also assess valued characteristics that an applicant might possess that would augment their contribution to the educational experience and diversity of the School of Medicine as well as the profession of medicine.
For the full policy, visit the School of Medicine Policies webpage.
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