AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

EFFECTIVE: MAY 8, 2023

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME 2

AUC PROFILE 3

AUC OBJECTIVES 8

ADMISSIONS 15
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 17

STUDENT FINANCE 21
TUITION AND FEES 21
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 23
FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS 23
FEDERAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOANS 24
SCHOLARSHIPS 25
FIRST SEMESTER TUITION BACK GUARANTEE 29
RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDING 29
DETERMINING EARNED FINANCIAL AID 30

REGISTRATION & HEALTH INSURANCE 32

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS 32
HEALTH INSURANCE 34

CURRICULUM 36
MEDICAL SCIENCES 38
DISCIPLINE-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM (SEPARATE COURSES) 38
ORGAN SYSTEMS-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM (INTEGRATED MODULES) 39
CLINICAL SCIENCES 40

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 43
DISCIPLINE-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES COURSES 43
ORGAN SYSTEMS-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES MODULES 50

SINT MAARTEN CAMPUS RESOURCES, ACTIVITIES & POLICIES 60

ORIENTATION 60
CAMPUS ACCESS 60
ELECTRONIC BOOKS 61
LIBRARY SERVICES 61
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE EQUIPMENT 62
LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER 62
FITNESS CENTER POLICIES 62
CAMPUS SMOKE-FREE POLICY 64
SAFETY INFORMATION 64

STUDENT WELLBEING 66

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WELLNESS COUNSELING 66
AUC THRIVE WELLNESS AND HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM 66

CONFERENCE STIPENDS 67

CLINICAL SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS & ROTATIONS 68

TRANSITION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE PROGRAM 68
REQUIRED TOTAL CLINICAL WEEKS: CORE CLERKSHIPS AND ELECTIVES 69
REQUIRED CORE CLERKSHIPS 69
RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES 69
CLINICAL ROTATION REQUIREMENTS 70
ELECTIVE ROTATIONS 71
SCHEDULING CORE CLERKSHIPS AND ELECTIVES 72
SCHEDULING ELECTIVE ROTATIONS 74
STATE SPECIFIC CLINICAL REGULATIONS 75
POLICIES FOR ROTATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 76

ASSESSMENT POLICIES & PROCEDURES 78

MEDICAL SCIENCES COURSE EXAMINATIONS AND USMLE STEP 1 EXAM 78
CLINICAL SCIENCES COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND USMLE STEP 2 CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE (CK) EXAM 79
AUC CLINICAL COMP AND USMLE STEP 2 CK POLICIES 82
ACCOMMODATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 84
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS 87
ECFMG REGISTRATION 89

RESIDENCY MATCH PREPARATION 91

PHYSICIAN MATCH ADVISOR PROGRAM 91
STUDENT PLACEMENT RESOURCES 91

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT POLICY 93

STUDENT HONOR CODE 93
CONDUCT VIOLATIONS 94
ANTI-HAZING POLICY 95
COMMITMENT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION & NON-HARASSMENT POLICY 97
SEX & GENDER-BASED MISCONDUCT RESPONSE & PREVENTION POLICY AND TITLE IX POLICY 97
DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY 97
FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PENALTIES FOR DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS 99
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 100
INTERNET, EMAIL ACCEPTABLE USAGE & OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION POLICY 100
ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCE USAGE POLICY 102
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY 104
NON-ACADEMIC PROBATION, SUSPENSION, AND DISMISSAL CRITERIA 107
STUDENT CONDUCT COMPLAINT AND APPEAL POLICY 108

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 109

ATTENDANCE 109
MEDICAL SCIENCES ACADEMIC SUPPORT BOARD (MSAS) 113
STUDENT ACADEMIC STATUS CLASSIFICATION 113
UNDERSTANDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE STATUS 113
ACADEMIC STATUS CRITERIA 114
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) 114
ACADEMIC WARNING 117
ACADEMIC DISMISSAL 118

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APPEAL PROCESS 119

SYNCHRONIZATION PLAN 121
COURSE GRADING SYSTEM 124
GRADE CHANGES 128
ACADEMIC COMMITTEES 129
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION 130

ACADEMIC LEAVES OF ABSENCE 131

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL STUDENTS 131
TYPES OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUESTS 133
RETURN FROM ACADEMIC LEAVE OF ABSENCE 134
TYPES OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE LENGTHS 135
LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY FOR USMLE TESTING 137

STUDENT RECORDS AND TRANSCRIPTS 142

STUDENT RECORDS 142
TRANSCRIPTS 144

INSTITUTIONAL COMPLAINTS 146

ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY 148

APPENDIX A: AUC SCHOLARSHIPS 150

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FORMS
Important Student Forms:

Request for Leave of Absence from Medical Sciences

Request for Leave of Absence for USMLE Step 1 (SXM Campus)
Request for Leave of Absence for USMLE Step 1 (UK Track)
Request for an Excused Absence from Medical Sciences Not to Exceed 15 Days
Request to Drop Course (SXM Campus)
Request to Drop Course (UK Track)
Request for Leave of Absence from Clinical Sciences
Official Withdrawal Form for Medical Sciences
Official Withdrawal Form for Clinical Sciences
Religious Accommodation Form
FERPA Form
Technical Standards
Workflow for Student Academic Concerns
Canvas Student User Guide
Academic Accommodations Request
Guidelines for Student Led Community Engagement Experiences

Forms Hosted on My AUC Med: [Link]

Reinstatement of Medical Insurance Coverage Submission Form

Clinical Rotation Cancellation Form
Core Clerkship Location Preference Form

Detailed AUC Policies:

Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy
Sex and Gender-Based Misconduct Response and Prevention Policy
Title IX Policy
Non-Discrimination Policy
Service Animal Policy
Accommodations for Pregnant and Parenting Students Policy
Testing Center Regulations

Application to AUC by a student constitutes agreement to comply with this Course Catalog and
Student Handbook, including the Honor Code, Technical Standards, Non-Discrimination Policy,
and any other policies and procedures, rules, regulations, or amendments thereto. Students are
responsible for complying with the terms of any revised or updated Course Catalog and
Student Handbook or to policies therein from the revision or effective date indicated via
an official AUC email communication or otherwise on the date they are first distributed to
the student body or published on AUC’s website ([Link]).

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WELCOME
The AUC community extends its students a warm welcome. AUC students’ medical school
experience should be one of tremendous learning, exploration, and personal and professional
development as a physician-in-training.

We have implemented within this Course Catalog and Student Handbook rules that govern the
conduct and operation of our institution. These policies, procedures, and guidelines are designed
to ensure that all members of our university know what is expected of them and others and are
treated fairly.

At AUC, we adhere to the following principles of communities of learning1:

• Educationally purposeful. AUC is a place where faculty and students share academic
goals and strengthen teaching and learning on campuses and in clinical rotations.
• Open. AUC is a place where free speech is protected, and civility affirmed.
• Just. AUC is a place where each individual is treated in a fair and transparent manner
and where diversity is vigorously pursued.
• Disciplined. AUC is a place where individuals accept their obligations to the group and
where well-defined governance procedures guide behavior for the common good.
• Caring. AUC is a place where the wellbeing of each member is sensitively supported and
where service to others is expected.
• Celebrative. AUC is a place where the heritage and purpose of the institution is
remembered and where rituals affirming tradition and change are shared.

So, once again, welcome to the AUC community. We are happy that you are here.

1
Adapted from Ernest Boyer (1990), Campus Life: In Search of Community. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

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AUC PROFILE
HISTORY
AUC was founded in 1978 upon a belief in the need for visionary, skilled, compassionate doctors.
The university was originally chartered by the Government of Montserrat in the British West
Indies. In 1995, AUC relocated to the island of Sint Maarten after Montserrat’s Soufrière Hills
Volcano—which had been dormant throughout recorded history—erupted and left much of the
island buried or uninhabitable. Now with its flagship medical sciences campus in Sint Maarten,
the university benefits from a standard of living that is unparalleled in the Caribbean.

In 1998, AUC completed a multimillion-dollar teaching and learning facility in Sint Maarten that
features classrooms and laboratories, a virtual imaging anatomy lab, a microbiology lab, and a
comprehensive medical library. Four years later, AUC constructed modern one and two-bedroom
University Apartments just steps from the university campus. AUC officially opened the doors of
a new academic building in 2013, ushering in a new era for the institution. The new medical
education building houses an anatomy lab, clinical skills training lab, simulation center, and 400-
seat auditorium, as well as faculty offices and additional study and learning spaces for students.

In 2019, AUC entered into a first of its kind partnership with the University of Central Lancashire
(UCLan) in Preston, United Kingdom, to offer international non-US citizens the opportunity to
complete AUC’s medical sciences curriculum through delivery of a postgraduate Diploma in
International Medical Sciences from UCLan.

Over the past 40 years, AUC has grown in both size and stature. The university has established
partnerships with clinical sites in the United States and United Kingdom and offers global health
electives in five countries. With instruction and rigorous training, each day at AUC provides a fresh
chance to live our vision of providing a transformative medical school experience for a
purposefully diverse group of students who will positively impact health and medicine throughout
their training and careers.

ACCREDITATION
AUC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM,
[Link]), which is the accreditor used by the country of Sint Maarten.

The United States Department of Education, via the National Committee on Foreign Medical
Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), reviews the standards that countries use to accredit
medical schools. The NCFMEA has determined that the ACCM’s accreditation standards are
comparable to those set by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), which accredits

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medical education programs in the United States.

STATE APPROVALS/LICENSURE
Florida

Under the provision of Chapter 1005, Florida Statutes and Chapter 6E of the Florida
Administrative Code, the Commission for Independent Education of the Florida Department of
Education licenses AUC to offer clerkship instruction in Florida. Additional information regarding
this institution may be obtained by contacting the commission at 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite
1414, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-0400, toll-free 888-224-6684.

New York

The New York State Education Department has approved AUC’s program of medical education
to place students in clinical clerkships at AUC’s affiliated hospitals in the state of New York.

Texas

Recognition by the Texas Medical Board facilitates an AUC graduate’s applicant for physician
licensure. The Texas Medical Board has determined that graduates of AUC have demonstrated
Substantial Equivalence of Their Education.

International Medical Education Listing

AUC is listed in the International Medical Education Directory, which is published online by the
Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education Research (FAIMER). AUC
students are therefore eligible to take all United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE)
exams by registering with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates® (ECFMG)
and are eligible to apply for licensure in all states in the United States. More information may be
found at the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA)
website here: [Link]

AUC students are eligible to obtain U.S. Federal Financial Aid (if qualified) and become active
members of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA).

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
AUC is a part of Adtalem Global Education
500 W. Monroe Street, Suite 28
Chicago, IL, 60661
Tel: +1 630-515-7700

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AUC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

The Adtalem Global Education Board of Directors provides the authority for policy decisions and
strategic directions for Adtalem institutions, which includes AUC. AUC is governed by an
independent and voluntary Board of Trustees that serves as the institution’s highest authoritative
body.

Adtalem Board of Directors

Stephen W. Beard
William Burke
Charles DeShazer, MD
Mayur Gupta
Donna Hrinak
Georgette Kiser
William “Liam” Krehbiel
Michael W. Malafronte
Sharon O’Keefe
Kenneth Phelan
Lisa Wardell

AUC Board of Trustees

Carol Herbert, BSc, MD, CCFP, FCFP, FCAHS, FRCPS (Glasg), FRACGP (Hon) (Chair)
The Reverend Jeffrey Hamblin, MD
Ronald M. Harden, MD, OBE
Gemma Kim, MD
Judette Louis, MD, MPH
Stephen Sibbitt, MD, MBA, FACP
Kathy Chappell, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN

CHARTER
AUC is chartered and approved by the government of Sint Maarten.

SINT MAARTEN MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS

The first two academic years of Medical Sciences are taught on AUC’s campus in Cupecoy, Sint
Maarten. AUC’s Sint Maarten campus provides a perfect setting for teaching and learning. From
the moment students step foot on our campus, they can experience the powerful academic and
technological resources in place to help them make the most of their medical school experience
and succeed with our medical school curriculum.

AUC has moved boldly into the future of medical education through the implementation of
innovative teaching programs, modern laboratories, and electronic curriculum delivery.

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Campus Location
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
#1 University Drive at Jordan Road
Cupecoy, Dutch Lowlands, Sint Maarten
Tel: +1 721-545-2298

UK TRACK MEDICAL DEGREE PROGRAM

AUC’s partnership with UCLan offers students the opportunity to earn a Doctor of Medicine
degree from AUC, with at least part of their education in the United Kingdom (UK):

This degree track is open to qualified non-US citizen students holding a Bachelor’s degree who
seek a rigorous medical education program designed to help them master the basic medical
sciences and develop the necessary clinical skills to practice medicine. Students with a Bachelor’s
degree will complete AUC’s standard medical sciences curriculum through the delivery of a Post
Graduate Diploma in International Medical Sciences from UCLan, which AUC and its accreditor
recognize as equivalent to the AUC medical sciences curriculum. Students then proceed to
USMLE Step 1 and the clinical sciences portion of the program. This degree track can be
completed in four years. Effective September 1, 2019, AUC School of Medicine’s MD program is
recognized by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK.

Students in the UK Track Medical Degree Program may be subject to additional policies and
procedures of UCLan during their medical sciences training. More information about AUC’s UK
Track may be found on our website.

UK Track Location
University of Central Lancashire
Vernon Building
Preston, Lancashire
PR1 2HE
Tel: +44 (0)1772 201 201

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
The administrative office for AUC is in Miramar, Florida. Within the administrative office, there are
several student service departments that assist prospective and current students including:
• Admissions
• Office of the Registrar
• Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships
• Office of Career Advisement
• Hospital Partnerships
• Student Housing

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Administrative Offices
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
10315 USA Today Way
Miramar, FL 33025
Tel: +1 305-446-0600
Fax: +1 305-444-6791

Office of Student Finance

500 W Monroe, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60661

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AUC OBJECTIVES
INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES
The mission of AUC is to train tomorrow’s physicians, whose service to their communities and
their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning community,
and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Faculty have an obligation to ensure that the educational program’s learning objectives, curricular
materials, and learning environment are conducive to engendering successful medical
professionals. As such, the AUC objectives are designed to allow graduates to demonstrate
proficiency in the six core competencies as outlined by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education (ACGME) as listed below. All assessment methods and tools within the curriculum are
designed to allow students to demonstrate continued progression toward the expected
competencies.

ACGME Core Competencies

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of
information and collaboration with patients, their families and health professionals

Medical Knowledge
Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and
social-behavioral sciences as well as the application of this knowledge to clinical care

Patient Care
Provide patient-centered care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment
of health problems and the promotion of health

Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate one’s care of patients, to appraise and
assimilate scientific evidence and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-
evaluation and life-long learning

Professionalism
Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to
ethical principles

Systems-based Practice
Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health
care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal

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health care.1

1Competencies and their definitions are reproduced or adapted from Accreditation Counsel for
Graduate Medical Education, General Competencies and Englander R, Cameron T, Ballard A,
Dodge J, Bull J, Aschenbrener C. Toward a Common Taxonomy of Competency Domains for the
Health Professions and Competencies for Physicians. Acad Med 2013;88:1088-94.

Competency: Interpersonal and Communication Skills

ACGME Domain: Communication and Information Sharing with Patients and Families
At the end of the program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply the principles and techniques of patient centered interviewing while gathering data
to explore the patient’s perspective including feelings, attribution, beliefs about health and
wellbeing, fears and expectations with patients and/ or families across a broad spectrum
of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Apply the principles and techniques of patient centered interviewing in the closing of the
interview which includes information sharing and addressing patient concerns in the
negotiation of the diagnostic and treatment plans with patients and/ or families across a
broad spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Apply the principles and techniques of patient centered interviewing to seek out emotions
and handle them in an empathic manner with patients and/ or families across a broad
spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Apply the principles and techniques of patient centered interviewing in the discussion of
serious or sensitive topics in an open, empathic, and nonjudgmental approach with
patients and/or families across a broad spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic
backgrounds.
• Communicate with people with special communication needs such as older persons, those
with impaired hearing, and those who speak a language not spoken by the student.

ACGME Domain: Communication with a Medical Team

At the end of the program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Orally present a patient encounter or clinical situation in an organized, accurate and logical
fashion, including the assessment and plan. (EPA 5)
• Document a patient encounter in an organized, accurate and logical manner including
reflection of clinical thinking in the assessment and plan. (EPA 6)
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with all members of the inter-professional health
care team and health related agencies both orally and in writing. (EPA 9)
• Pose an appropriate clinical question when requesting consultation from other members
of the health care team.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legible medical records.
• Function as a collaborative member of the health care team. (EPA 11)

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ACGME Domain: Doctor–Patient Relationship

At the end of the program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Define the components of a therapeutic relationship.

• Establish a relationship with patients and/ or families across a broad spectrum of cultural
and socioeconomic backgrounds based on respect and empathy with the patient’s
wellbeing as the primary goal.

Competency: Medical Knowledge

ACGME Domain: Inquiry and Discovery

At the end of the program of study, the student should be able to:

• Formulate a clinical question or hypothesis and develop a plan of investigation to evaluate

the evidence and its application to patient care. (EPA 7)
• Use the principles of biostatistics and research design to analyze the results of scientific
inquiry and investigation, including existing and new therapies.

ACGME Domain: Knowledge for Practice

At the end of the program of study, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, from the
molecular to the behavioral level, necessary to develop a differential diagnosis and
formulation of a diagnostic and treatment plan.
• Formulate and prioritize a differential diagnosis based on the presentation and
epidemiology of disease. (EPA 2)
• Discuss the principles of prevention and health promotion in the context of socioeconomic
diversity and global population health.
• Discuss recommendations for prevention and health promotion in the context of
socioeconomic diversity and global population health.
• Discuss the biopsychosocial model as it impacts health care utilization and outcomes.

ACGME Domain: Problem Solving and Diagnosis

At the end of the program of study, the student should be able to:

• Recommend treatment options based on the pathophysiology and prognosis of a disease.

• Apply preventive care principles and motivational interviewing techniques in health
promotion and disease prevention when treating patients across a broad spectrum of
cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Competency: Patient Care

ACGME Domain: History Taking

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

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• Gather information in a complete or focused history needed to recognize a patient’s health

problems, develop a differential diagnosis and identify risks. (EPA 1)

ACGME Domain: Medical Notes

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Document patient encounters in the chart or in consultation reports efficiently and

accurately and legibly including assessment and plans.

ACGME Domain: Oral Case Presentation

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Orally present a patient encounter including relevant information and the development of
an assessment and plan of care.

ACGME Domain: Patient Management

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Use the information gathered including history, physical examination and laboratory or
radiological data to develop management plans appropriate for the patient’s identified
problems.
• Engage a patient and / or their family in patient education and counseling including
appropriate use of behavior modification techniques and shared decision making both for
the treatment of disease and disease prevention.
• Recognize a patient requiring emergency or urgent care and initiate evaluation and
management. (EPA 10)
• Recognize and provide appropriate referral for patients who require specialized care.
• Give or receive a patient handover to transition patient care responsibility. (EPA 8)
• Enter and discuss with patients or other members of the health care team orders and / or
prescriptions. (EPA 4)

ACGME Domain: Physical Examination

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Gather accurate information through the conduction of complete or clinically relevant

focused physical examinations. (EPA 1)
• Interpret the results of a physical exam and use these results in the development of a
differential diagnosis. (EPA 1)

ACGME Domain: Procedure and Skills

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Follow universal precautions and sterile procedures in all patient encounters.

• Perform general procedures correctly with attention to patient safety and comfort. (EPA
12)

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Competency: Practice-based Learning and Improvement

ACGME Domain: Evidence Based Medicine

By the end of program study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Identify a critical question in patient care and conduct an efficient literature search, building
on the foundation of the basic science curriculum of the first five semesters.
• Analyze the results of the literature and apply the evidence appropriately to individual care.
• Analyze the results of the literature and apply the evidence appropriately to the care of a
population.

ACGME Domain: Information Management

By the end of program study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Use information technology to access medical information, manage the information and
assimilate evidence into patient care.

ACGME Domain: Reflection and Self Improvement

By the end of program study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Critically evaluate and reflect on personal work and use the reflection to guide self-directed
learning.
• Incorporate feedback into strategies for personal performance improvement and lifelong
professional development.
• Develop improvement goals and seek out opportunities to meet these goals.

Competency: Professionalism

ACGME Domain: Boundaries and Priorities

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to:

• Describe the HIPAA rules and regulations.

• Maintain the right to privacy as outlined in HIPAA regulations and ethical principles.
• Practice within the defined boundaries of the patient physician relationship as outlined in
ethical principles.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship that prioritizes patient needs before their own in-
patient care.
• Recognize when the student’s own needs or physical, mental or spiritual condition are
negatively impacting patient care and seek help.
• Avoid conflicts of interest such as the acceptance of gifts or remuneration or association
with organizations or products that may undermine the integrity of their practice.

ACGME Domain: Ethical Principles

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to:

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• Apply ethical principles in the recognition of and definition of ethical problems in clinical
medicine.
• Resolve ethical problems through the application of ethical principles.
• Practice within the guidelines of ethical principles maintaining patient autonomy,
confidentiality and beneficence.
• Practice within the ethical guidelines and principles pertaining to the provision of or
withholding care.
• Educate patients and obtain appropriate informed consent for tests and /or procedures.
(EPA 11)
• Work with the health care team to develop a plan to respond to medical errors that is
consistent with ethical principles.

ACGME Domain: Institutional, Regulatory and Professional Society Standards

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to:

• Adhere to institutional and government regulatory standards for personal, public and
patient safety.
• Adhere to principles of ethical research.

ACGME Domain: Professional Relationships

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to:

• Practice with sensitivity and responsiveness in the doctor patient relationship with patients
of diverse backgrounds including but not limited to race, ethnicity, culture, sexual
identities, political affiliation, disabilities, spirituality, gender and socioeconomic status.
• Interact with all members of the health care team, patients, family and society at large with
respect, accountability, honesty, integrity and compassion.

ACGME Domain: Work Habits, Appearance and Etiquette

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to:

• Reliability report for assigned duties and fulfill expected responsibilities.

• Take responsibility for their errors and work to correct them.
• Be clean and neat and adhere to OSHA dress guidelines and institutional requirements.
• Treat all members of the health care team, hospital staff, patients and families with
courtesy, dignity, and respect.

Competency: Systems-based Practice

ACGME Domain: Health Care Delivery Systems

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Describe basic principles of multiple health care delivery systems, local and national,
including infrastructure, determinants of health care costs, how health care is financed
and the impact of costs on the delivery of health care and society.

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• Discuss current incentives to control costs and their potential impact on health care.
• Use a patient centered, cost effective and efficient approach to patient care in a variety
of settings.
• Coordinate patient care within the health care system.
• Work effectively with other members of the health care team to prioritize patient care
responsibilities to ensure safe and efficient delivery of patient care.

ACGME Domain: Systems Improvement

By the end of program of study, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Identify quality gaps and use a systems approach to find solutions. (EPA 13)
• Identify systems errors and understand how a wide range of potential solutions can be
implemented to improve safety for patients and /or the health care team. (EPA 13)
• Advocate for solutions to health care delivery problems for your patients, and society as
a whole.

Definitions, competencies, and objectives were reproduced or adapted from several sources
including the ACGME General Competencies, University of California San Francisco Learning
Objectives and Englander at al. “Toward a Common Taxonomy of Competency Domains for the
Health Professionals and Competencies for Physicians” published in Academic Medicine
September of 2013.

Updated using Common Program Requirements (Residency) Tracked Changes Copy

©2020 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). ACGME-approved
focused revision: February 3, 2020; effective July 1, 2020.

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ADMISSIONS
REQUIRED COLLEGE CREDIT*
AUC requires applicants to hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university as a
condition of matriculation. College credits must include the following:

• Biology: One year of biology, including laboratory work. Prospective students will benefit
by taking courses in one or more of the following: genetics, cellular biology, developmental
biology, and comparative anatomy.
• General Chemistry: One year of general chemistry, including laboratory work.
• Organic Chemistry: One year of organic chemistry, including laboratory work.
Coursework should include both aliphatic and aromatic compounds.
• General Physics: One semester of general physics, including laboratory work.
Coursework should include mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, and nuclear
radiation.

A generous exposure to mathematics, humanities, and social sciences is desired. Practical or

hands-on experience in the healthcare field is strongly recommended.

*Substitutions and/or exceptions for med school prerequisites are made on a case-by-case basis
at the discretion of the Admissions Committee and the Chair of the Admissions Committee.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Personal Essay: A one-page personal essay regarding the applicant’s medical career
expectations. In concise terms, applicants should summarize the development of their interest in
medicine, their goals in pursuing a medical career, and personal attributes that qualify them to be
a physician. They must also briefly describe the skills and values they believe a physician should
possess in order to practice medicine in the 21st century. Lastly, applicants must summarize how
their experiences to-date demonstrate an acquisition and possession of those skills and values.
Essays should be limited to 750 words.

Experience: A chronological listing of educational, employment history, and volunteer experience

since graduation from high school typed on one letter-sized page (8½ x 11).

Letters of Recommendation: Official letters from a premedical advisory committee are strongly
recommended, however, in lieu of this, AUC will accept 2 letters of recommendation—at least
one should be an academic reference (a recommendation from an instructor who taught the
student in an academic setting):
• If the applicant’s institution uses a Pre-Medical Committee Advisory Letter, that will satisfy

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

the requirement of an academic reference.

• Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis if the student is unable to provide an
academic letter. If the exception is approved, a second professional letter of
recommendation may be used instead of the academic letter.
• All letters must be signed on official letterhead and should be submitted directly to the
AUC Admissions Department by the referee via mail, email, or Interfolio.

Transcripts: Official transcripts must be sent directly from the college registrar in an official
sealed envelope. For foreign schools, notarized copies of the original transcripts may be directed
to AUC when official transcripts are not readily available. However, official transcripts must follow
the notarized copies prior to matriculation.

The official transcript indicating satisfactory attainment of a bachelor’s degree must be received
by AUC no later than the first day of the second term in the degree program of study. It is the
student’s responsibility to ensure that his/her official transcript is received by AUC on time. Any
student who does not provide the official transcript indicating satisfactory attainment of a
bachelor’s degree will have his/her enrollment cancelled, resulting in the loss of any academic
work submitted or grades earned. If the condition has not been met by the start of the 2nd
semester, the student will be withdrawn from AUC and all financial aid funds for the first term will
be required to be returned.

All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a credentialing service that is a member of the
National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A listing of credentialing
members can be found at [Link]. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores are
required for admission to AUC and must be taken within the last 5 years for US Citizens or
Permanent Residents. Applicants must request that their MCAT scores be sent directly from the
testing agency to AUC’s Administrative Office. The code for AUC is 907. For MCAT testing
information, please contact the MCAT Care Team, Association of American Medical Colleges,
Section for Applicant Assessment Services, 2450 N St., NW Washington, DC 20037, Phone: 202-
828-0690, [Link]/mcat.

In addition to the MCAT, non-US Citizens or Permanent Residents may also submit scores for
the UCAT, NEET/UG or GAMSAT exams.

English Requirement (UK Track only): Required for non-native English speakers, or applicants
who graduated from institutions in which the education is not delivered in English, or as requested
by the Admissions Committee if deemed necessary to assess success at AUC.

One of two exams may be taken:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS). AUC recommends scores
equivalent to 7.0 in all areas.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). AUC recommends an overall score of
100.

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

TECHNICAL STANDARDS
Technical Standards consist of the minimum physical, cognitive, and emotional requirements to
provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the entire course of study and
participate in medical training and practice. Students applying for admission will be required to
sign a declaration that AUC’s minimum Technical Standards are met as a condition for admission.
If at any point during enrollment it is determined that a student is unable to meet AUC’s Technical
Standards with appropriate accommodations, the student may be withdrawn from the program.

BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY

AUC requires all applicants to consent to a background check as part of the admissions process.
Background checks are needed to protect the safety and wellbeing of patients, to ascertain the
ability of medical school applicants to participate in clinical clerkships and eventually become
licensed physicians, as well as to verify the information the applicants provide on their
applications. Applicants should note that any misstatement or omission made during the
application process may result in withdrawal of acceptance or dismissal after discovery by AUC.

Students should be aware that current criminal background checks are required twice during
medical school, prior to admission and upon transition to Clinical Sciences. If a student does not
pass a hospital’s background check and is therefore unable to progress through the medical
education program, this situation may constitute grounds for dismissal. Students should review
AUC’s Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy as well as Technical Standards.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR
A Master Academic Calendar, which includes key dates such as events and examinations, is
published each semester for each campus.

May 2023 Semester September 2023 Semester January 2024 Semester

May 8 – First day of the semester September 4 – First day of the semester January 8 – First day of the
June 2 – Last day to drop an A September 29 – Last day to drop an A semester
module module February 2 – Last day to drop an A
June 26-30 – Module A exam October 23-27 – Module A exam period module
period October 27 – Last day to drop a major February 26 - March 1 – Module A
June 30 – Last day to drop a major course or First module exam period
course or First Module October 30 – First day of B modules March 1 – Last day to drop a major
July 3 – First day of B modules November 24 – Last day to drop a B course or First Module
July 28 – Last day to drop a B module March 4 – First day of B modules
module December 18-20 – Final exam period March 28 – Last day to drop a B
August 21-23 – Final exam period December 22 – Last day of the semester module
August 25 – Last day of the April 22-26 – Final exam period
semester April 26 – Last day of the semester

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

ROLLING ADMISSION
AUC enrolls three classes each year: in January, May, and September. This rolling admissions
process means that students with a desire to start medical school do not need to wait for the
typical medical school admission cycle of some U.S. and Canadian medical schools. Interested
applicants can begin the application process at any time during the year prior to their desired start
semester.

AUC reserves the right to change entrance requirements, application procedures, and admission
or academic policies at any time, without prior notice.

ADVANCED STANDING POLICY

AUC neither seeks nor encourages applications from students wishing to apply for advanced
standing. Only exceptional candidates will be considered. Only credits earned at medical schools
that are recognized by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME), the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates® (ECFMG), or an ECFMG-authorized foreign medical
school accreditation agency will be considered for possible advanced standing at AUC.
Acceptance of transfer credit is dependent upon course comparability and is at the discretion of
AUC. AUC does not grant advanced standing to students for work done in schools of Podiatry,
Allied Health, or Chiropractic. Requests for advanced standing must be made at the time of initial
application for admission. If credits are accepted for transfer, no less than 50 percent of the course
credits required for the entire program of study must be completed while enrolled at AUC. Course
credits are not guaranteed to transfer to other schools. Acceptance of credits is subject to the
receiving institution’s requirements.

Missouri Students Only

If credits are accepted for transfer, no less than 75 percent of the course credits required for the
entire program of study must be completed while enrolled at AUC.

WITHDRAWAL
Students may voluntarily withdraw from enrollment at AUC. The effective date of the withdrawal
(Date of Determination) shall be the date that the student expresses their intent to withdraw from
AUC. Expressed intent shall be made via the completion of the Official Withdrawal Form located
in the Forms Section of this Course Catalog and Student Handbook.

Students intending to withdraw must then apply for readmission if they wish to return to AUC and
will be subject to the Withdrawal Refund Schedule (see Student Finance section). Applications
will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Readmission is not guaranteed. Readmitted
students will typically be subject to all academic policies and tuition and fees in effect at the time
of re-enrollment, without any “grandfathering” provisions based on their original admission.
Student withdrawals are governed by the following policies:

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

Application for Withdrawal from Medical Sciences: Students enrolled in the discipline-
based curriculum and separate courses may not withdraw from or drop a single course beyond
the drop deadlines published each semester (which, for major courses on the Sint Maarten
campus, is the Friday of Week 8 of the semester); instead, they must withdraw completely from
AUC.

Students enrolled in the organ systems-based curriculum and integrated modules may not drop
a module beyond the module drop deadlines published in the Master Academic Calendar each
semester. They must withdraw completely from AUC.

Medical sciences students may begin the withdrawal process by completing an Application for
Withdrawal Form.

Processes for Withdrawal from Clinical Sciences: In contrast to Medical Sciences,

Clinical Sciences students are allowed to withdraw from individual clinical rotations. Please see
the Clinical Requirements and Scheduling Section for procedures related to canceling or
rescheduling prior to the start of a rotation. Students wishing to withdraw during a clinical rotation
must provide email notification, including reason(s) for the request, to the Office of Clinical
Advising and Clerkships and the clinical site coordinator. Any applicable late cancellation fees will
be charged to the student’s account. Students who vacate a rotation without providing appropriate
notification will be declared absent without leave (AWOL) after 72 hours and will be subject to
AWOL policies, possibly including involuntary withdrawal from the university. Please see the
Policies and Procedures Section for more information on AWOL policies.

Clinical Sciences students wishing to withdraw from AUC entirely may begin that withdrawal
process by completing the Application for Withdrawal Form described above. The student should
submit the completed form to the Office of the Registrar for processing. Upon processing and
verification within two weeks of receipt, the student will be notified that he/she has been formally
withdrawn from AUC. Any applicable late cancellation fees will be charged to the student’s
account.

Health Insurance and Withdrawal from AUC

Medical Sciences

Health Insurance Fees will be refunded at the rate of 100 percent if all of the following conditions
are met:
• The student of the incoming cohort officially withdraws within the first 30 days of the
semester and has not yet used the policy. Health Insurance Fees are non-refundable
for returning students.
• Health Insurance card is returned to the Business Office at the time of withdrawal.

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

Clinical Sciences

Health Insurance Fees will not be refunded unless both of the following conditions are met:
• The student was approved and waived insurance before the waiver deadline listed in
the 2022 - 2023 Plan Design and Benefits Summary available at
[Link]/auc.
• Non-Usage Confirmation is approved by the school-sponsored health insurance
company.

TRANSCRIPTS

Medical Sciences

Students withdrawing from AUC prior to taking final exams will receive “W” on their transcripts. If
the student withdraws after taking final exams, the numerical and alphabetical (F/P/H) course
grades will be recorded. If the student has accumulated failed credits for dismissal, the dismissal
stands, and the student cannot withdraw at that point. All approved withdrawals must then be
submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

READMISSION WITH “W”

For students who have withdrawn from AUC and then reapply, their applications will be formally
reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine whether they are eligible for readmission.

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

STUDENT FINANCE
TUITION AND FEES
Effective September 2022 Semester:
Tuition and Fees Rates for Students Medical Sciences Clinical Sciences
Enrolled before May 2022 Semesters 1 – 5 Semesters 6 – 10 per
per semester1 semester2
Tuition $24,990 flat rate $27,955
10 - 21 credits
Student Government Association Fee $353 $0

Health Insurance Fee per semester $3593 $10265

(price includes an administrative charge)
On-Campus Housing Fees3 Single: $5,575 N/A
(if applicable) Double: $4,750
Malpractice Insurance $0 $319
(Semesters 6 -10)
Educational Resource Fee $263 $269

Residency Permit Fee $2803,4 N/A

Tuition and Fees Rates for Students Medical Sciences Clinical Sciences
Enrolled May 2022 or later Semesters 1 – 5 Semesters 6 – 10 per
per semester1 semester6
Tuition $20,202 $25,116
Administrative Fees $5,086 $3,427
Health Insurance Fee per Semester $3593 $10265
(price includes administrative charge)
On Campus Housing Fees3 Single: $5,575 N/A
(if applicable) Double: $4,750
Residency Permit Fee $2803,4 N/A
1If applicable, students enrolled for 8-9 credits pay a tuition rate of 50% of the Medical Sciences tuition rate; students
taking fewer than 8 credits will pay a rate of 25% of the Medical Sciences tuition rate. Tuition adjustments will only be
made for courses that are dropped before the start of a semester, or before the start of a module for students enrolled
in the organ systems-based curriculum and integrated modules.
2The rates above represent a full-time, 16 week or per credit schedule each semester. In clinical sciences, tuition will

be prorated at $1,747 per week or per credit, Malpractice Insurance at $20 per week or per credit, and an Educational
Resource Fee at $17 per week or per credit. Health Insurance is billed on a periodic basis in September, January and
May regardless of schedule and is not subject to proration.
3Sint Maarten Campus only (not applicable to UK Track)

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

4Residency Permit Fee: The laws of Sint Maarten require residence permits for all students. The annual cost is $280
(500 guilders) and will be charged in full each year on the anniversary of the student’s Incoming Semester while the
student is enrolled in the Medical Sciences. For U.S. and Canadian residents, this will be billed along with tuition and
due at orientation. For international students (visa required) payment is required with the Enrollment Reservation Fee
payment a minimum of 60 days prior to arrival in Sint Maarten.
5Includes an administrative charge.
6The rates above represent a full-time, 16 week or per credit schedule each semester. In clinical sciences, tuition will

be prorated at $1,570 per week or per credit, and Administrative Fees at $214 per week or per credit. Health Insurance
is billed on a periodic basis in September, January and May regardless of schedule and is not subject to proration.

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Any student who has not paid tuition and/or fees after the first day of the semester will be
considered as having a delinquent account. By the second week of the semester, AUC will notify
the delinquent student that he/she must be financially clear by the end of the fourth week of the
semester. Students who fail to fulfill this condition may be involuntarily withdrawn from enrollment
at AUC and will receive a “W” grade on their transcript for courses taken during that term.
Standard cancellation and refund policies will apply.

Exceptions to the above policy will only be granted under limited circumstances. Hence, a written
request addressed to AUC’s Office of Student Finance must be submitted for review and
consideration of any requests.

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

Qualified U.S. citizens and permanent U.S. residents may be eligible to apply for funding from the
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program. Before any funds are disbursed, students must sign
a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN, the Borrowers Rights and Responsibility
statement, and the Plain Language Disclosure statement explain the terms and conditions of the
loan(s) including obligations and payment information.

Canadian students should contact their provincial government regarding available financial aid
resources. AUC also encourages Canadian students to view the Canadian Financial Planning
Guide for more information on funding options.

Most foreign citizens are not eligible for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of
Education. Please visit [Link]
citizens to learn more. International students should research funding options available through
their country’s government to identify additional financial resources.

U.S. Veterans and their dependents may be eligible for funding through the Veteran’s
Administration. Please contact the Office of Student Finance at 732-509-9027 for more
information or go to [Link] GI Bill® is a registered
trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education
benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at
[Link]

Veterans utilizing Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post
9/11 benefits are permitted to enroll in courses once proof of VA education benefit eligibility is
provided. The institution will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the
denial of access to classes, libraries, other institutional facilities or require that a covered
individual borrow loans because of the individual’s inability to timely meet his or her financial
obligations to the institution due to delayed disbursement of funding from the VA under chapter
31 or 33.

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

Penalties, fees and/or finance-related registration holds may be assessed by the institution if there
is an unpaid difference between the amount of the student’s financial obligation and the amount
of the anticipated or actual VA education benefit disbursement. The student is responsible for
charges and fees that are not covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including but not
limited to: the cost of repeat courses that were previously passed, printed books that are not
required, admissions fees, screening charges, bookstore orders that are not required for a course,
badge replacements, parking fees or other non-institutional charges.

HOW TO APPLY TO FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

To apply for the Federal Direct Loan program, the U.S. Department of Education requires the
completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA provides an
independent and consistent method of collecting information to determine student eligibility.
Graduate/professional level students are considered independent by federal regulations, and
therefore parental information is not required.

AUC’s Federal School Code is G22444.

FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education.

ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

Eligibility for the Federal Direct Loan program is determined based on information contained in
the student’s Student Aid Report (SAR), which is a product of the FAFSA. Fundamentals for
eligibility are:
• Enrollment in an eligible school at least half time
• U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen status
• No unresolved defaults or overpayments owing

FEDERAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS

Qualified students may borrow a maximum of $10,250 per semester.

Eligible students may be able to receive Federal Direct Loans to help cover the cost of higher
education. The U.S. Department of Education offers eligible graduate students at participating
schools Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. The current interest rate for Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2022 is 6.54%. Interest will begin to accrue
upon disbursement of this loan and will continue paid in full. In addition, there is a 1.057% loan
fee on all Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2020. The loan
fee will be proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. Prior federal loans and
financial aid history for loans disbursed may be reviewed at the Federal Student Aid website.

Eligibility for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on need. The federal government

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

does not pay the interest during school attendance or during the six-month grace period. Students
may pay the interest while completing their program or allow it to accumulate and be added to the
outstanding principal, thereby increasing the amount to be repaid.

The maximum aggregate student loan debt for graduate students from all Direct Loans may not
exceed $138,500 (including all federal loans received for undergraduate study, subsidized and
unsubsidized combined).

FEDERAL DIRECT GRADUATE PLUS LOANS

Eligible students may also be able to apply for Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan funds through
the U.S. Department of Education, which performs a credit check for each loan to determine
creditworthiness. These federal loans are not based on need and have a fixed interest rate of
7.54% for Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2022 and June
30, 2023. In addition, there is a 4.228% loan origination fee on all Federal Direct Graduate PLUS
Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2020. Interest will begin to accrue upon disbursement
of this loan and will continue until paid in full. The fee will be proportionately deducted from each
loan disbursement. Eligible students may borrow Grad PLUS for each academic year up to the
cost of attendance less any scholarships and/or other student loans, including any Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Loan. Prior federal loans and financial aid history for loans disbursed may be
reviewed at the Federal Student Aid website.

The federal government does not pay the interest on these loans. Students have the option
of paying the interest while completing their academic program or allowing it to
accumulate and be added to their outstanding principal.

SCHOLARSHIPS
AUC offers the following scholarships. Please refer to Appendix A on page 133 of this Course
Catalog and Student Handbook for complete details on eligibility requirements, application, and
award information.

• Alumni Heritage Scholarship: Awarded to qualified applicants who have a

work/volunteer history with an AUC graduate.
• Medical Scholarship for Canadian Students: Awarded to qualified applicants who are
Canadian citizens permanent residents of Canada, or those who hold dual US-Canadian
citizenship.
• Community Outreach Award: Awarded to qualified applicants who have shown
exceptional dedication to their communities, hospitals, or charities.
• Mississippi College Scholarship: Awarded to qualified applicants who have graduated
from Mississippi College’s MS Biology program.
• International Scholarship: Awarded to qualified applicants who are residents of a

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

country outside of the United States or Canada.

• Dean’s Academic Scholarship: Awarded to students with a strong overall undergraduate
GPA or MCAT score.
• Trustee’s Academic Excellence Scholarship: Awarded to students who have
performed very well on the MCAT or have a very strong overall undergraduate GPA. This
scholarship is automatically awarded to qualified incoming first-semester AUC students.
• Academic Merit Scholarship: Awarded to students who have a solid overall
undergraduate GPA or MCAT score.
• First Generation MD Award: Awarded to qualified applicants who are striving to be the
first-generation physician within their immediate families (includes spouse/partner, sibling,
child by blood, adoption or marriage, grandparent and grandchild).
• MERP Success Scholarship: Awarded to students who have excelled academically and
provided leadership to peers during the Medical Education Readiness Program (MERP).
• Social Accountability Award: Awarded to students who have made contributions to the
communities of Sint Maarten during their Medical Sciences education. Must be a currently
enrolled 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th semester student. (UK Track students are not eligible)
• Student Engagement Award: Awarded to students whose activities as part of the
campus community have helped to enhance and foster the AUC culture of collaboration.
Must be a currently enrolled 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th semester student. (UK Track
students are not eligible)

• Global Scholars Bursary Award: Awarded to non-US or non-Canadian

citizen/permanent residents entering the AUC Four-Year MD Program, UK track, to
promote a student body made up of diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds, which
will contribute to a worldwide medical community.

• AUC/Sint Maarten Partnership Tuition Scholarship: Awarded to incoming students

who are citizens of Sint Maarten.

• Thompson Rivers University (Tru) Partner Scholarship: Awarded to students who

have graduated from TRU within the last five 5 years and hold an offer of admission to
AUC as a first-semester student.

ENROLLMENT RESERVATION FEE

A one-time non-refundable enrollment reservation fee of $1,000 is payable to AUC by the date
specified in the acceptance letter. Payment of the fee constitutes the applicant’s acceptance of
AUC’s conditional offer and secures a place in class. Acceptance is contingent upon passing the
background check.

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

The enrollment reservation fee is applied to tuition for students who matriculate.

DEFERRALS
Deferrals will be granted at the discretion of the Director of Admissions on a case-by-case basis.

TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLIES

Book and supply costs vary by semester; averages are:

Medical Sciences (semester 1-5) $505/semester (US)

$501/semester (UK)

$596/semester (US)
Clinical Sciences (semesters 6-10)
$591/semester (UK)

Additional miscellaneous fees may be required for testing/test registration, background checks,
health, and drug screenings. For more information about these fees, please contact the Office of
Clinical Advising and Clerkships at clinical@[Link].

AUC reserves the right to change tuition and fees at any time without prior notice.

WITHDRAWAL TUITION REFUND SCHEDULE

AUC’s tuition refund policy in the event of withdrawal is based on the period attended. For Medical
Sciences, the tuition refund schedule is as follows:

1. If a new student withdraws prior to the start of the first semester, no tuition charges are
due; however, the student’s enrollment deposit is not refunded.
2. If a continuing student withdraws prior to the start of a semester, no tuition charges are
due for that semester.
3. If a student withdraws during the first 60 percent of a semester, tuition charges are
directly prorated based on the portion of the semester that has elapsed. As semesters
are normally 16 weeks in length, tuition is prorated for withdrawals based on their actual
start and end dates of the semester/payment period.
4. If a student withdraws after the first 60 percent of a semester, which is usually after
completing Week 10, the full tuition charges remain due.

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

5. Any new first-semester student who matriculated on or after May 2022 and withdraws
from their first semester will not be eligible for tuition reimbursement available through
the First Semester Tuition Back Guarantee.
For withdrawal during the first 60 percent of a semester/payment period, student loan awards
are federally required to be recalculated on a prorated basis. AUC will return unearned loan
funds to the lender(s) based on the federally required calculation. Students may owe a balance
on their student account if the portion returned to the lender(s) by AUC is larger than what was
owed to the institution. In addition to the lender returns required by U.S. federal regulations,
AUC may return any remaining credit balance to lenders, decreasing the student’s loan debt for
that semester.

Federal student loan borrowers should refer to the Return to Title IV Funding section in this Couse
Catalog and Student Handbook for information on any impact to loans borrowed for the semester
from which withdrawal occurs.

Student Government Association (SGA) fees, the electronic resource fee, and administrative fees
are non-refundable. The annual Residence Permit fee is refundable only within the first two weeks
of the relevant semester.

Students registering for clinical clerkships must provide notice of cancellation in writing to the
Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships more than 45 business days prior to the start of the
clerkship to receive a refund of tuition and fees and to avoid late cancellation charges.

AUC will provide any refund due within 30 days from the date on the notice of withdrawal or from
when AUC’s Office of the Registrar receives an approved Academic Leave of Absence.

AUC policy regarding AUC students admitted to US or Canada-based allopathic medical

school after enrolling at AUC:

Any student who is admitted to and enrolled in AUC for the first semester may be eligible for a full
refund of the first-semester tuition if s/he is admitted to a United States-based or Canada-based
allopathic medical school, provided that:

• The starting semester for which the student is admitted to a United States-based or
Canada-based allopathic medical school has not passed.
• The student has supplied the AUC Office of Student Finance with proof that the student
has been admitted to a United States-based or Canada-based allopathic medical
school.
• Such proof is in the form of print or electronic copy of a formal letter of admission on
official university letterhead; and
• The student has not begun his or her second semester at AUC.

Under the terms of this policy, AUC will refund 100 percent of the first-semester tuition. All other

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AUC COURSE CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK | MAY 2023

fees and deposits will be subject to the policy terms noted in the Withdrawal Refund Schedule.
Students who withdraw from AUC after the start of the second semester will be subject to the
same refund policies noted in the Withdrawal Refund Schedule. Students who withdraw from AUC
during their clinical rotations will be subject to any applicable late cancellation fees for the
scheduled rotations.

Missouri Students Only

A withdrawal occurs when a student’s enrollment is permanently discontinued or, in some cases,
temporarily interrupted. A withdrawal may be official (when the student completes a withdrawal
form) or unofficial (without written notification). In either case, the effective date of withdrawal is
the date of the last academically related activity or the date the institution determined the change
in status.

FIRST SEMESTER TUITION BACK GUARANTEE

New, first-time matriculating MD students who complete Semester 1, including final exams, but
do not advance to Semester 2 because they earned a failing grade in Semester 1
courses/modules required for advancement are eligible for the guarantee. Students eligible for
the guarantee receive reimbursement of tuition, based on the following formula: tuition assessed
minus institutional scholarships or grants received. Please note, only tuition is included in this
guarantee, any fees and other expenses and/or charges are excluded.

RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDING

According to federal regulations, a refund calculation must be performed if a student receiving
financial aid withdraws or takes an Academic Leave of Absence (ALOA) during a payment
period/semester. Length of enrollment is equal to the number of calendar days in the payment
period for which the student was registered, excluding breaks of five days or more. All days,
including weekends and holidays, are counted. The withdrawal date is the date the student begins
the official withdrawal process or otherwise notifies the institution of his/her intent to withdraw.
Notification may be done electronically, in writing, in person or by telephone.

All AUC students who receive Title IV aid and withdraw prior to the end date of a payment period
will be reviewed and a Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation performed within 30 days of
the date AUC determined that they withdrew. R2T4 calculations evaluate whether unearned Title
IV aid must be returned to Title IV. In the event a student enrolls and receives Title IV aid for a
payment period but never attends, no R2T4 will be performed, as eligibility for funds was not
established. In this case, the funds disbursed will be canceled and returned in their entirety. For
AUC students, the term “Title IV aid” refers to the following federal financial aid programs: Direct
Unsubsidized Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans.

In order to determine whether a student’s unearned Title IV aid must be returned, as a non-
attendance-taking institution, AUC must determine the student’s withdrawal date. AUC considers

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students to have withdrawn as follows:

• Students who cease attendance from all their courses or registered modules eligible
for Title IV aid will be considered to have withdrawn.
• A student is considered to have withdrawn if he or she does not complete all the days
in the payment period.
• The effective date of withdrawal is either the date the student notified the institution of
the withdrawal or the student’s last academically related event, if available. When a
student withdraws, AUC assesses tuition based on the period he or she attended, as
reflected in the Withdrawal Refund Schedule section of this Course Catalog and
Student Handbook.
• In the case of an unofficial withdrawal, and the school may not know that the student
has ceased attendance until late in the period, the determination of the withdrawal date
will be the midpoint or the last date of an academically-related activity.
• If a student earns a passing grade in one or more of his or her classes (courses or
registered modules), for that class, AUC may presume that the student completed the
requirements and may consider the student to have completed the period.

Students may officially withdraw based on the date the student notifies the institution or the date
of the last academically-related event. If they earn all Fail (F) or Withdrawn (W) grades within a
semester due to failure to complete the semester, the 50 percent mark will be used for the
semester for return of Title IV calculation purposes.

Please note that in addition to the withdrawal notification, students must also follow the required
process as set forth by AUC for withdrawing. This process requires the student to complete all
applicable forms and retrieve all required signatures.

DETERMINING EARNED FINANCIAL AID

Until a student has passed the 60 percent point of a payment period, only a portion of the student’s
aid has been earned. A student who remains enrolled beyond the 60 percent point is considered
to have earned all awarded aid. All students who withdraw, including those who remain enrolled
beyond the 60 percent point, will be reviewed to determine whether unearned Title IV aid must be
returned or whether post-withdrawal disbursements of Title IV aid are due.

If the total amount of Title IV aid that a student earned is greater than the total amount of Title IV
aid that was disbursed to the student as of the date of determination, the difference between
these amounts will be treated as a post-withdrawal disbursement. A post-withdrawal
disbursement will be offered to the student within 30 days of the date of determination. The
student will have 14 days to accept all, or a portion of the loan funds offered, after which time
the funds will be canceled without exception. Upon acceptance, a disbursement payment will be
made to the student’s account as soon as possible and no later than 180 days from the date

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that AUC determines the student withdrew, and a notification will be sent by email.

Earned aid is not related in any way to institutional charges. AUC’s refund policy and Return of
Title IV Funds procedures are independent of one another. A student who withdraws from a
course or module may be required to return unearned aid and still owe institutional charges.

The responsibility to repay unearned Title IV aid is shared by AUC and the student. For example,
the calculation may require AUC to return a portion of federal funds to the federal Title IV
programs. In addition, the student may also be required to return funds based on the calculation.
A student returns funds to the federal student loan programs based on the terms and conditions
of the promissory note of the loan.

The return of federal aid is in the following order: Direct Unsubsidized Loans followed by Direct
Graduate PLUS Loans. AUC is required to return the funds by the 45th day after the date the
institution determined the student has withdrawn.

The following formula is used to determine the percentage of unearned aid that has to be returned
to the federal government:

• The percentage earned is equal to the number of calendar days completed up to the
withdrawal date, divided by the total calendar days in the payment period (less any
scheduled breaks that are at least 5 days long).
• The payment period for most students is the entire semester. However, for students
enrolled in courses or modules which are not scheduled for the entire semester, the
payment period only includes those days for the module(s) in which the student is
registered.
• The percent unearned is equal to 100 percent minus the percent earned.
• Institutional funds are earned and recalculated based on the pro-rated policy as described
for federal financial aid funds. Tuition/fee refunds also affect the recalculation of
institutional financial aid.

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REGISTRATION & HEALTH INSURANCE

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
All students new to AUC are required to attend registration/orientation proceedings beginning on
the Friday before the official start of the semester. Newly admitted students who fail to register by
the end of the fifth day of class for their first semester will not be allowed to enroll for that semester.
Instead, those students will have to petition the Admissions Committee for readmission for a
subsequent semester and will be interviewed by a Student Affairs Dean. By the act of registration,
class attendance, or participation in other activities associated with enrollment at AUC, the student
accepts financial responsibility for charges assessed to his/her student account. Charges include
those for tuition, mandatory fees, clinical charges and penalties (such as late payment fees and
fees associated with the cost of collection in the event of a delinquency, among others as outlined
in the Tuition and Fees section of the Academic Catalog. This financial responsibility is not
relieved until payment has been made for any and all charges incurred.

Failure to complete any university-driven mandatory requirements will result in an administrative

hold. An administrative hold will prevent students from registering for the current or subsequent
semesters. Examples of mandatory requirements are but not limited to webinars, trainings and
seminars.

Students are required to register (make payment of tuition, deposits and any fees, including
University Apartment Occupation Fees and Student Government Association Fees) on or before
the first day of the semester. Payment of tuition and fees is considered a financial condition of
enrollment. Therefore:
• Any Medical Sciences student who fails to register in person or check in personally at the
Registrar’s Office on-campus before 5:00 p.m. local campus time of the first day of formal
instruction as noted in the Academic Calendar will be charged a $100 1 late fee. Typically,
registration includes electronic registration for classes (courses and modules) as well as
physical check in with the Office of the Registrar. Some processes have been temporarily
revised in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Any Clinical Sciences student who registers after commencement of clinical rotations will
be charged a $100 late fee.
• Any student with a delinquent account will be notified by the second week of the semester
that s/he must pay any outstanding balance by the end of the fourth week of the semester.
• Any student who fails to pay all outstanding amounts must be financially cleared by the
Office of Student Accounts by the end of the fourth week of the semester or will be
involuntarily withdrawn from enrollment and his or her transcript will reflect a “W” grade for

1
All references to currency in this Course Catalog and Student Handbook shall refer to US dollars.

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courses undertaken in that semester. AUC’s standard cancellation and refund policies will
apply to the balance of any account due; and
• Any student who defaults on a signed promissory note during a given semester may not
register for the subsequent semester unless the student pays in full all tuition and fees for
the semester at or before the time of registration.

Any student who is indebted to AUC will be required to settle his or her account before receiving
graduation clearance diplomas, degrees, and other official recognition of work done at AUC. Such
debts include, but are not limited to, amounts owed in satisfaction of tuition, loan agreements,
fees and charges, food service, and occupation of AUC’s University Apartments. No student may
withdraw from enrollment with AUC in good standing or graduate from AUC unless all financial
obligations are paid in full.

Medical Sciences

Typically, students will be required to register for the published curricular load each semester. All
courses and modules are deliberately sequenced so that they must be successfully completed in
a certain order. Please see the Curriculum section for details.

Students in the discipline-based curriculum may add an individual course during the first week of
the semester when given permission to do so by the appropriate dean.

Students may drop an individual course within the time frame specified in the Master Academic
Calendar released by the Office of Academic Affairs. Semester-long courses must be dropped
during the first eight weeks of the semester so long as the student will maintain full-time enrollment
with the reduced course load and has been given permission to do so by the appropriate dean.
In the organ systems-based curriculum and integrated modules, module courses must be dropped
during the first four weeks of the module with permission from the appropriate dean.

No student will be allowed to drop any course or module more than once. The Medical Sciences
student must complete the dropped course or module within the subsequent enrolled semester.

Students who have failed or dropped a course/module or otherwise obtained written consent from
the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to deviate from the published curricular course load must
register for a full-time course load as determined by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

In medical sciences, including both discipline-based courses and organ systems-based modules,
full-time enrollment is 10 credit hours or more/semester. Half-time enrollment constitutes a course
load of 8-9 credit hours/semester. Less than half-time enrollment constitutes a course load of 7
or fewer credit hours/semester.

• In the discipline-based curriculum, Medical Sciences students may only register for less
than full-time status if they have 9 or fewer credit hours remaining to complete the medical
sciences curriculum.

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• In the organ systems-based curriculum, Medical Sciences students may be registered for
half-time status in Semesters 2 – 5, depending on module availability.

Students registered for less than half time enrollment will not qualify for Federal Financial Aid.

Sint Maarten-based medical sciences students may not register for more than 21 credit hours per
semester without the prior written consent of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, nor may
any student register for two classes that meet simultaneously. Students may not enroll in courses
in the curriculum across more than two semesters.

No students can sit for stipulated homework and exams, including quizzes, block exams and final
exams unless the Registrar has enrolled the student in the course or module. A student may audit
lectures at the discretion of both the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Course/Module
Director.

Clinical Sciences

Clinical Sciences students should be aware that financial aid eligibility during Clinical Sciences is
based on the number of weeks enrolled per semester. Students in Clinical Sciences must register
for a minimum of 8 weeks of clinical rotations per term of enrollment to be considered full-time.
Students registered for 4-7 weeks of clinical rotations per term of enrollment will be considered
half-time. Students registered for fewer than 4 weeks of clinical rotations per term of enrollment
will be considered less than half-time. Students must be registered for a minimum of 8 weeks for
every clinical semester unless they are in the final semester of their clinical rotations. Students
registered for fewer than 8 weeks will require an approved short-term leave of absence from the
Office of the Registrar. The approval of the leave of absence is not guaranteed.

Please refer to AUC’s policies on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) qualitative standards
and Leaves of Absence within this document for more details.

HEALTH INSURANCE
AUC has negotiated health insurance policies to cover medical science students (Nagico) and
clinical science students (Aetna).

Medical Sciences

The government of Sint Maarten requires all Sint Maarten-based students to obtain health
insurance from a local agent that offers global coverage. The University offers a student health
plan meeting this requirement through Nagico Student Health. Students are charged a health
insurance fee at a flat rate each semester at the time of registration. Although it is not required, it
is highly recommended that students maintain health insurance coverage while on Long Term
Leave of Absence to avoid a lapse in coverage.

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Clinical Sciences

Students are required to maintain health insurance coverage while enrolled in clinicals at AUC.
The University offers a student health insurance plan with Aetna Student Health.

Students may waive coverage if they hold their own health insurance policy that meets the waiver
standards and complete the waiver by the required deadline. More information can be obtained
in the benefit’s guide at [Link]/AUC. Waivers are accepted once per year (Fall).
Students beginning clinical rotations in January or May who wish to apply to waive insurance will
be required to waive insurance for their entering semester only and then again in the Fall following
their entry into clinical sciences. Students who will be undertaking their cores in the UK for a
period of at least 6 months and who would require a student visa, will purchase compulsory
healthcare cover from the UK’s National Health Service [NHS] as a feature of their visa
application. Therefore, UK students with insurance coverage from the National Health Service
may request to waive Aetna coverage. UK students should submit their Residence Permit Card
to the Office of Student Finance at accounts@[Link] during the term they wish to waive.
Charges for past term insurance fees will not be refunded for any reason.

AUC requires all enrolled students have adequate health coverage until graduation. To request
extended health insurance coverage past graduation and through the end of August, please
contact the Office of Student Finance at accounts@[Link].

Please note that Canadian and other countries’ insurance cannot be accepted if it does not cover
US hospitalization and routine care. Emergency, temporary, and travelers’ policies cannot be
accepted.

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CURRICULUM
For students who matriculated in the September 2019 semester and since, the medical school
curriculum is 10 semesters (160 weeks): 5 semesters (80 weeks) of Medical Sciences taught at
either the medical campus on Sint Maarten or Preston, UK and 5 semesters (80 weeks) of Clinical
Sciences taught at hospitals affiliated with AUC. For students who matriculated prior to the
September 2019 semester, Clinical Sciences is either 4.5 semesters (72 weeks) or 5 semesters
(80 weeks).

All instruction and services are provided only in English.

Three semesters of 16 weeks each are scheduled per year beginning in January, May, and
September. AUC’s curriculum is frequently reviewed and modified to ensure the most effective
delivery of relevant content to students. Please consult the AUC website for current curriculum
information.

AUC is currently in the several-year process of gradually transforming its medical sciences
curriculum from a discipline-based curriculum composed of separate basic sciences and clinical
medicine courses to an organ systems-based curriculum composed of integrated modules. Both
curricula share the same program goals, and both effectively prepare medical students for
success on USMLE Step 1.

In addition to their regular course work, students may be required to participate in supplemental
instruction or remediation programs or to fulfill additional requirements to help support their
academic progress and success.

Throughout medical sciences, each student will be enrolled in either the discipline-based
curriculum (separate courses) or the organ systems-based curriculum (integrated modules).
Which curriculum a student is enrolled in is not a choice, but simply a function of when a
student started at AUC and on which campus. The organ systems-based curriculum
launched on the Sint Maarten campus in September 2021 and in the UK Track in September
2022.

Students who matriculated in the May 2021 semester or earlier on either campus and in the
September 2021, January 2022, and May 2022 semesters in the UK Track are enrolled in the
discipline-based curriculum and should reference the Discipline-based Medical Sciences
Curriculum course descriptions.

Students who matriculated in or after the September 2021 semester on the Sint Maarten campus
and September 2022 semester or after in the UK Track are enrolled in the organ systems-based
curriculum and should reference the Organ Systems-Based Medical Sciences Curriculum module
descriptions.

After completing either the discipline-based courses or the organ systems-based modules, all

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medical sciences students are required to take the USMLE Step 1 exam. Upon successfully
passing the exam, they begin Clinical Sciences.

Semester Credit Hours*

Medical Sciences

One semester credit hour for at least 15 hours of didactic sessions including lectures and/or other
instructor-led educational activities, supplemented by laboratory instruction as described in
individual syllabi.

Clinical Sciences

AUC utilizes the United States Department of Education’s method of “clock-to-credit-hour

conversion” § 668.8(l)(1). The conversion uses a ratio of the minimum clock hours in an academic
year to the minimum credit hours in an academic year. Therefore, 1 semester credit hour would
be based on a minimum of 37.5 clock hours.

Accordingly, AUC has established the following “clock-to-credit-hour conversion” as applied

toward clinical core clerkships and elective rotations.

• For core clerkships and elective rotations, one clinical week converts to 1 semester credit
hour. The number of hours per week may vary depending on the rotation and site. AUC
provides each clinical site guidance regarding the number of clock hours a student is
expected to be present each week.

Consequently, the total conversion of the required 72 weeks of clinical science

clerkships/rotations converts to 72 semester credit hours. Students matriculating to AUC
beginning in the September 2019 semester or later will be required to complete 80 weeks of
clinical rotations which converts to 80 semester credit hours.

*Outside preparation is not considered in the conversion of contact hours to credit hours.

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MEDICAL SCIENCES

DISCIPLINE-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM

(SEPARATE COURSES)
The first 5 semesters at AUC involve concentrated study of the Medical Sciences. Anatomy,
Histology, and Molecular Cell Biology are the focus for the first semester. The following semesters
explore a logical sequence of science coursework including advanced courses in Molecular Cell
Biology, Physiology, Pathology, and Behavioral Science.

AUC’s discipline-based curriculum presents clinical medicine beginning in the first semester
through a series of Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM) courses. This structure allows students
to learn clinical skills and apply medical sciences to clinical cases well before they advance to the
clinical portion of the program.

MEDICAL SCIENCES COURSES

SEMESTER 1 CREDIT HRS SEMESTER 4 CREDIT HRS

Molecular Cell Biology I 7 Pathology II 7
Gross Anatomy 7 Medical Pharmacology 6
Histology & Embryology 4 Neuroscience 5
ICM I 1 ICM IV 1
Medical Ethics 1

SEMESTER 2 CREDIT SEMESTER 5 CREDIT HRS

HRS
Molecular Cell Biology II 6 Behavioral Science 5
Physiology I 5 ICM V 6
Immunology-Infection 5 ICM VI 3
Biostatistics/Epidemiology 1 (Includes National Board of Medical Examiners®
(NBME) Comprehensive Exams)
ICM II 1

SEMESTER 3 CREDIT HRS

Pathology I 7
Physiology II 5
Medical Microbiology 5
ICM III 1

ELECTIVES CREDIT HRS ELECTIVES CREDIT HRS

Independent Research 1 Learning Enhancement 1
601 Course 702
Independent Research 1 Learning Enhancement 1
602 Course 703

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Independent Research 1 Learning Enhancement 1

603 Course 704
Independent Community 1 Learning Enhancement 7
Engagement 630 Course 705
Independent Community 1 Disaster Medicine Elective 1
Engagement 631
Independent Community 1 Service Learning Elective 1
Engagement 632 620
Learning Enhancement 1 Service Learning Elective 1
Course 701 621
Service Learning Elective 1
622

ICM I - VI and all Learning Enhancement Courses are graded as Honors/Pass/Fail.

AUC reserves the right to change the curriculum at any time, without prior notice.

ORGAN SYSTEMS-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM

(INTEGRATED MODULES)

For students who matriculated in the September 2021 semester or after on the Sint Maarten
campus and the September 2022 semester or after in the UK Track, the first 5 semesters at AUC
involve concentrated study of the Medical Sciences. Cellular and Molecular aspects of Medical
Biochemistry, Histology, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Genetics are the focus for the
first semester. The following semesters explore the organ systems in sequential 8-week modules.

Beginning in the first semester, AUC’s organ systems-based curriculum fully integrates clinical
medicine into every module. Modules include both basic and clinical sciences content and are
deliberately sequenced so that success in one is a prerequisite for the next. This structure allows
students to learn clinical skills and apply medical sciences knowledge to clinical cases well before
they advance to the clinical portion of the program.

MEDICAL SCIENCES MODULES

SEMESTER 1 CREDIT HRS

Molecules to Medicine 20

SEMESTER 2 CREDIT HRS

Hematology, Oncology, Attack & Defense 10
Musculoskeletal & Dermatology 10

SEMESTER 3 CREDIT HRS

Cardiovascular 10
Respiratory & Renal 10

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SEMESTER 4 CREDIT HRS

Gastrointestinal & Nutrition 10
Endocrinology & Reproduction 10

SEMESTER 5 CREDIT HRS

Brain & Behavior 10
Clinical Reasoning 10

COURSES CREDIT HRS

Learning Enhancement Course 101 1
Learning Enhancement Course 201 5
Learning Enhancement Course 202 5
Learning Enhancement Course 301 5
Learning Enhancement Course 302 5
Learning Enhancement Course 401 5
Learning Enhancement Course 402 5
Learning Enhancement Course 501 5
Learning Enhancement Course 502 5
Independent Community Engagement 1
Elective 630
Independent Community Engagement 1
Elective 631
Independent Community Engagement 1
Elective 632
Independent Research Elective 601 1
Independent Research Elective 602 1
Independent Research Elective 603 1
Disaster Medicine Elective 1
Service-Learning Elective 620 1
Service-Learning Elective 621 1
Service-Learning Elective 622 1

AUC reserves the right to change the curriculum at any time, without prior notice.

CLINICAL SCIENCES

Upon completing the Medical Sciences curriculum and passing the USMLE Step 1 exam, students
enter the Clinical Sciences portion of the program. For students who matriculated to AUC before
the September 2019 Semester, clinical instruction encompasses 72 weeks of clerkships that are
typically completed in 4.5 semesters. Students matriculating to AUC beginning in the September
2019 Semester or later will complete 80 weeks of clerkships within 5 semesters.

Clerkships are full-time assignments in a clinical setting whereby students perform as active
members of a “team” of students, house staff and attending physicians. Under supervision, the

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student interviews and examines patients, evaluates laboratory and radiographic data,
synthesizes information, and discusses patients with the team. Each student will have a clinical
faculty supervisor who assesses his/her performance according to standards set by AUC.

AUC students may complete their clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals located in the United
States and United Kingdom. Those assigned to core clerkships in the United States may be
required to rotate to more than one clinical site.

Each affiliated hospital has a clinical site director, clerkship director(s), faculty members, and a
medical education coordinator charged with supervising and otherwise facilitating the clinical
experience for AUC students. Clerkship directors are responsible to the clinical deans for
implementing the published requirements of AUC’s Clinical Sciences curriculum which may
include Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). They also undertake daily
supervision of clinical teaching programs. Medical education coordinators’ supplemental
responsibilities include student counseling, daily program coordination, management, and record-
keeping requirements. Clinical faculty members provide academic instruction in accordance with
approved course syllabi and are responsible for monitoring attendance and assessing student
performance.

To ensure a smooth transition during clerkships, AUC maintains the Office of Clinical Advising
and Clerkships (CAC). The CAC staff, located at AUC’s Administrative Offices, facilitates the
placement of students at affiliated hospitals. Additionally, they serve as a bridge between students
and hospital sites by offering consultation regarding clinical clerkships and working with on-site
program directors, faculty members, and administrative staff.

CLINICAL SCIENCES COURSEWORK

CORE ROTATIONS WEEKS EXPECTED HOURS/ WEEK
Internal Medicine 12 60 - 80
Surgery 12 65 - 80
Pediatrics 6 50 - 80
Obstetrics & Gynecology 6 60 - 80
Psychiatry 6 40 - 80
ELECTIVES 30/38* 45 - 80
* For students matriculating beginning in September 2019 or later

Per ACGME guidelines, students should not spend more than 80 hours each week, averaged
over a consecutive four-week period, in any core clerkship or elective. Hours are defined as and
include 1) all patient care, including inpatient and outpatient as well as on-call and overnight call
experiences and 2) all teaching sessions such as rounds, grand rounds, lectures, case
conferences, morbidity and mortality conferences, among others. Patient encounters include all
patients seen on rounds, any surgeries or procedures, and work with standardized patients, as
well as any virtual cases completed in Canvas or cases discussed with healthcare teams. All
patient encounters, whether assisted or observed, should be logged daily and will be reviewed by

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the Clerkship or Elective Director. Each clinical sciences student is required to engage in and log
a minimum of 20 encounters per week.

In consultation with their Clinical Advisor in the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships, each
student selects elective rotations in the US and UK from the list of approved practice areas found
under Elective Rotations. Clinical Advisors and Physician Match Advisors (PMAs) will provide
students with information on which specialties will be the most competitive. Completion of four to
six weeks of family medicine is highly recommended, as this is a condition of licensure in many
states.

Additionally, it is recommended that students take a wide variety of challenging elective

experiences to round out their education, including two electives in their chosen specialty. See
course description section for a sample of common electives and a full listing of subspecialties.

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Detailed course information can be found in AUC’s learning management system, Canvas, at
[Link] for the Sint Maarten campus and UCLan’s learning management
system, Blackboard at [Link] for the UK Track.

DISCIPLINE-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES COURSES

INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE I
(1 credit hour) Course Number 170
Introduction to Clinical Medicine is a four-semester clinical skills curriculum presented during the
Medical Sciences years. The curriculum is designed to lay the foundation for the clinical skills
essential to the practice of medicine. The program is presented predominantly in small groups so
that students have the opportunity to practice their skill under the direct observation of a faculty
member. Clinical skills covered include physical examination, interviewing and communication
skills. In addition, problem solving, and presentation of disease is presented through case-based
learning. Introduction to Clinical Medicine I is the first of the four courses. Students learn
communication and relationship building skills through the use of standardized patients. Physical
examination skills are presented in an organ-based fashion and include the head and neck exams
well as vital signs and the cardiovascular examination. Harvey, the cardiac sound simulator, is
used to introduce students to the normal heart sounds.

MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY I

(7 credit hours) Course Number 114
Molecular Cellular Biology I is designed to help students develop an understanding of the
fundamental molecular processes that define human development and homeostasis. This is an
introductory course covering the basics of human genetics, protein structure, nucleic acid,
biochemistry, cellular structure, and metabolism. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on
comparison of the normal state with the abnormal one. For this reason, whenever instructive, the
core material is accompanied by pertinent clinical correlations that use common, classical
conditions.

GROSS ANATOMY
(7 credit hours) Course Number 140
The clinical human anatomy course examines form and function of the human body at a
macroscopic level. Detailed regional anatomy lectures are complemented by introductory lectures
on systems-based topics such as skeletal, cardiovascular, and nervous system. Medical imaging
sessions provide foundational knowledge of radiology, MRI, and CT imaging which promote
understanding of cross-sectional and 3-dimensional structure. This is further enhanced with the
use of select anatomical technologies. Labs provide the opportunity to dissect a complete
cadaver, as well as hands-on sessions with ultrasound and select procedural simulators.

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HISTOLOGY & EMBRYOLOGY

(4 credit hours) Course Number 150
Histology and embryology focus on the anatomical basis of clinical medicine at the microscopic
level. This course introduces students to the concepts involved in the cellular basis of human
development. Initially, the cellular basis of gametogenesis is examined. Important structural
cellular changes (morphological landmarks) of embryo and fetal development are then studied
with a focus on the first three weeks of prenatal life. Additionally, the role of the various germ
layers and precursors to definitive structures, including the role of cell interactions, induction,
growth, and differentiation are discussed. The course also includes an in-depth examination of all
the major organ systems. This system-based study first looks at development of the primitive
body cavities and the refinements into their final form. Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal,
Urogenital, Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Systems are studied next due to the similar nature
of the mechanisms that form these widely divergent systems. Finally, the head and neck, nervous
system and special senses are examined due to their unique and complex developmental nature.
This course concludes with a cellular and molecular evaluation of congenital anomalies.

Basic principles of embryogenesis used in diagnosis, care and prevention of birth defects are
stressed, and case studies are introduced throughout. Extensive clinical correlations are
discussed as well as the correlation of developmental events with the structural organization of
the human body as observed in the study of gross anatomy and histology.

PHYSIOLOGY
(5 credit hours) Course Number 221
Physiology I is the foundation course for understanding normal body function. Medical students
gain an appreciation for the balance between and within the various organ systems required to
maintain steady functioning of the human body. The course builds from an early emphasis on the
basic principles of physiology moving on to the exploration of nerve-muscle function involuntary
and smooth muscle, gastrointestinal system, and culminating in a detailed analysis of the heart
and vascular system. Pathophysiology is used to analyze system function and compensation
during clinically relevant disease processes.

IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION

(5 credit hours) Course Number 237
Immunology and Infection is designed to help students gain a working knowledge of the immune
system, the development of immune responses to infectious pathogens, and the methodologies
used to measure parameters of the immune response. The course also covers the description,
underlying bases, prevention and treatment of infectious disease and chronic disease resulting
from autoimmune responses, immunodeficiency, cancers, and problems encountered in organ
transplantation.

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MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY II

(6 credit hours) Course Number 262
Molecular Cellular Biology II develops upon the themes presented in the initial course with
exploration of the cell’s nitrogen economy, details of lipid metabolism and the major concepts of
nutrition. The biology of cancer provides an introduction to neoplasia (as presented in the
pathology courses) and acts as an illustration of the regulation of the cell cycle and the basic
science underlying treatment. The course also includes more in-depth analysis of genetic
concepts. Detailed review material is included prior to Biochemistry and Genetics shelf
examinations in the latter part of the course.

BIOSTATISTICS / EPIDEMIOLOGY
(1 credit hour) Course Number 270
Statistics are important tools that help us better understand causes and consequences of human
medical problems. This course covers the basics of biostatistics and quantitative methods in
epidemiology and clinical applications in evidence-based medicine and decision-making
methods. The course also provides students with exposure to the necessary tools for evaluating
medical and epidemiological literature. The philosophical framework and methodology of disease
causation, prevention, and prediction will be presented.

INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE II

(1 credit hour) Course Number 280
Introduction to Clinical Medicine is a four-semester clinical skills curriculum presented during the
medical science years. The curriculum is designed to lay the foundation for the clinical skills
essential to the practice of medicine. The program is presented predominantly in small groups so
that medical students have the opportunity to practice their skill under the direct observation of a
faculty member. Clinical skills covered include physical examination, interviewing and
communication skills. In addition, problem solving, and presentation of disease is presented
through case-based learning. Introduction to Clinical Medicine II is the first of the four courses.
Students learn communication and relationship building skills through the use of standardized
patients. Physical examination skills are presented in an organ-based fashion and include the
head and neck exam as well as vital signs and the cardiovascular examination. Harvey, the
cardiac sound simulator, is used to introduce students to the normal heart sounds.

PHYSIOLOGY II
(5 credit hours) Course Number 323
Physiology II continues to build on the foundation established in Physiology I. Students are
required to take Physiology I prior to taking Physiology II. The course continues the study of the
function of human body organ systems with a comprehensive analysis of the endocrine and
reproductive systems. A comprehensive study of the pulmonary system is followed by the analysis
of clinically relevant, common acid-base disorders and their physiological compensation. Fluid
and electrolyte balance is studied with a detailed analysis of the renal system. At the end of the
course, all medical students will have a firm grasp of body system functions and integration of

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systems. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and identify the impact of disease
processes on normal human physiology.

MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(5 credit hours) Course Number 333
The Medical Microbiology course is designed to give the prospective physician an understanding
of microbial pathogens and the mechanisms by which they cause disease. General microbiology
is taught within the context of a syndrome-based infectious disease format.

PATHOLOGY I
(7 credit hours) Course Number 346
Pathology I introduces students to the cellular systems of organs and traces the morphologic
changes in a cell that are responsible for disease in organs. As cells undergo alteration, their
change in function is studied with respect to its deviation from the “normal” state. Topics such as
inflammation, repair and regeneration, neoplasia, genetic basis of diseases and infection are
explored. It then continues the study of pathologic basis of diseases using a physiologic system
or organ-based approach. Appropriate use of the laboratory is stressed in the diagnosis of disease
while case presentations further emphasize the clinical aspects of the pathologic processes. This
course serves as a precursor to Pathology II.

INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE III

(1 credit hour) Course Number 371
Introduction to Clinical Medicine III continues to build on the skills presented in the previous
semester. As in Introduction to Clinical Medicine II, small groups allow students to practice
communication skills and physical examination skills under the direct supervision of a faculty
member. The full medical history is presented with an emphasis on prevention and evaluation of
risk. Medical documentation and case presentation are introduced. Physical examination skills
included in this semester include abnormal heart sounds, thorax and lung exam and the
abdominal exam. In order to promote lifelong learning, case-based learning with required
independent research of material is introduced in this semester. Harvey, the cardiac sound
simulator, is used to introduce abnormal heart sounds.

MEDICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(6 credit hours) Course Number 421
Medical Pharmacology focuses on how drugs and other chemical agents regulate or modify
physiological and pathophysiological functions of the body. The course demonstrates how drugs
affect living organisms and contribute to the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and/or cure of
diseases. The major emphasis in the first part of the course will be on the general principles of
pharmacology (pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, adverse drug
reactions, teratogenicity, etc.). Other topics cover how drugs affect the autonomic nervous
system, followed by drugs affecting the brain and their use in the treatment of neuropathology.
Subsequent topics include the pharmacology and therapeutics of drugs used in cancer

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chemotherapy, infectious diseases, endocrine disorders, respiratory and cardiovascular

disorders, inflammatory and immune disorders, and drugs affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
The emphasis will be on prototypical drugs in each class, their mechanism of action, clinical use,
side effects and interactions with other drugs. At the end of this course, students will take a
comprehensive examination covering all the material presented in Medical Pharmacology.

NEUROSCIENCE
(5 credit hours) Course Number 430
Medical students are required to take Anatomy, Physiology I and II prior to taking the
neuroscience course. Neuroscience is a course effectively integrating neurochemistry,
neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology, and basics of medical
neurology. The course serves as a strong foundation for the analysis of common basic clinical
neurological disorders. Starting with an intense overview of the nervous systems, the course
systematically examines the sensory and motor systems with special emphasis on blood supply,
the plastic changes within each system associated with age, disuse, or lesions. Advanced
analysis of spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, cortical function, language, praxis,
sleep and associated lesions due to stroke, degenerative changes, epilepsy, and tumor complete
the course. Students successfully completing the course will be able to correctly identify common
neurological deficits and discuss their pathophysiology.

PATHOLOGY II
(7 credit hours) Course Number 452
Pathology II continues to apply the basic concepts learned in Pathology I for the study of
pathologic basis of disease using a physiologic system or organ-based approach. This course
covers organs and systems not presented in Pathology I. Appropriate use of the laboratory is
stressed in the diagnosis of disease while case presentations further emphasize the clinical
aspects of the pathologic processes. Successful completion of Pathology I is required to enroll in
this course.

INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE IV

(1 credit hour) Course Number 490
Introduction to Clinical Medicine 4 is a continuation of the previous semester’s course with the
introduction of the neurological examination and reviewing and expanding the musculoskeletal
examination. Emphasis in this semester begins to shift from basic clinical skills to clinical decision
making. As such, interviews shift to more focused interviews with an emphasis on developing and
documenting a history of present illness that includes key elements in the history needed to
prioritize a differential diagnosis. Documentation of assessment and plans and progress notes
are introduced.

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MEDICAL ETHICS
(1 credit hour) Course Number 480
Combined with the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course in the 5th Semester, Medical Ethics
is designed to introduce ethical, professional, and legal issues that arise in the practice of
medicine. This course provides students with basic tools used to recognize ethical, professional,
and legal conflicts in clinical settings, as well as resources used to critically examine and address
questions and concerns that these conflicts present.

INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE V

(6 credit hours) Course Number 543
This course is predominantly case-based learning. Students meet in small groups under the
supervision of a faculty member to discuss cases representing common symptoms such as chest
pain or fatigue. Emphasis is on the development of a differential diagnosis, presentation of
disease, pathophysiology of disease and initial evaluation and treatment. Students are given the
opportunity to present cases in preparation for requirements of the clinical years.

Students perform a physical examination based on a defined checklist of items provided to them
when they first start the ICM curriculum. Genital examinations are taught through the use of
professional patients. Students also have two clinical experiences with local physicians.
Simulations include interviews with standardized patients and emergent scenarios in the high-
tech simulation center. Interviewing skills workshops are integrated with Behavioral Science.
These sessions include practice in motivational interviewing skills, closing the interview,
performing the mini-mental status examination, and documenting the mental status examination.
Group interviews include focused visits and full histories and cover topics that include abdominal
pain, fatigue, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mood disorder. Each student performs
and documents a final complete history in preparation for their clinical clerkships.

INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE VI

(3 credit hours) Course Number 538
The Introduction to Clinical Medicine VI course is designed to integrate the Basic Medical
Sciences of the previous four semesters with intense practice in the analysis and diagnosis of
clinical cases. Students will be taught how to do the following:
• Critically read clinical cases similar to those found in the NBME Comprehensive Basic
Science Exam (CBSE) exams and USMLE Step 1.
• Effectively study and prepare for CBSE 1 and 2 and USMLE Step 1.
• Track performance.
• Physically and mentally prepare for these comprehensive exams (e.g., improve test-taking
skills, manage stress and burnout, and reduce test anxiety).

Course faculty will systematically emphasize selected topical areas for in-depth analysis such as
kidney pathophysiology, biostatistics, and cardiovascular physiology. From small group

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workshops to optional webinars and large class settings, students will have the opportunity to test
their understanding of basic medical sciences and how it relates to clinical medicine.

Regular USMLE question and answer practice sessions will occur throughout the course. The
course will include comprehensive (COMP) exams.

Effective with the start of the September 2022 semester, AUC returned to pre-COVID
requirements related to a student’s failure of Introduction to Clinical Medicine VI. Students who
fail the Introduction to Clinical Medicine VI course are required to retake the course in-person at
their enrolled campus (Sint Maarten or Preston). This means that students who fail the September
2022 Introduction to Clinical Medicine VI course are required to retake the course in-person at
their enrolled campus (Sint Maarten or Preston) in the January 2023 semester.

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
(5 credit hours) Course Number 521
The behavioral science course is designed to teach essential skills of identification and effective
management of patient behavior through practical application of the biopsychosocial model of
human behavior. The course will develop skills in the behavioral basis of clinical medicine
focusing on mind-body interactions in health and disease, physician-patient interactions, and
contemporary social/cultural issues in health care. Interview skills and the assessment of
psychosocial risk factors at each stage of human development will be taught. Psychopathology
will be presented from the DSM 5 as it applies to primary care, referral, and management.
Students will study diagnostic criteria, prevalence rates, differential diagnosis, prognosis, and
treatment of all major mental disorders. This knowledge will be applied in small group
assignments of the clinical medicine curriculum. Clinical case examples in primary care settings
will be discussed to prepare students for the Behavioral Subject and the USMLE Step 1
Examination.

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT COURSES

(1 credit hour) Course Numbers 701, 702, 703, and 704
(7 credit hours) Course Number 705
The Learning Enhancement Courses (LEC) are designed for medical science students who
require additional support to develop competency in mastering course materials and promotes
effective strategies for improving study skills. LEC aims to strengthen cognitive areas by reviewing
basic science material and clinical integration while developing learning acquisition in non-
cognitive areas such as goal setting, time management, note-taking, test-taking strategies, and
study approaches. LEC will also feature discussions in study resource management, wellness,
and reflection. These courses include active learning, engagement, participation, discussions by
students, and are facilitated by the Academic Support team.

Effective with the January 2023 semester, a 7-credit hour LEC 705 is required for students who
have failed ICM 6. This course includes facilitated small group case-based sessions, in addition
to the cognitive, non-cognitive and wellness sessions.

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Learning Enhancement Course 701 (1st/2nd Semesters)

LEC1 integrates concepts in Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, and Biochemistry.

Learning Enhancement Course 702 (2nd/3rd Semesters)

LEC2 integrates concepts in Biochemistry, Physiology, and Immunology.

Learning Enhancement Course 703 (3rd/4th Semesters)

LEC3 integrates concepts in Pathology, Physiology, and Microbiology.

Learning Enhancement Course 704 (4th/5th Semesters)

LEC4 integrates concepts in Pathology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology.

Learning Enhancement Course 705 (ICM 6)

The LEC705 course is intended to prepare students that have failed ICM 6 to succeed in
their second attempt. This 16-week course is taken concurrently with the repeated ICM 6
course and is also available to students taking ICM 6 for the first time.

ORGAN SYSTEMS-BASED MEDICAL SCIENCES MODULES

Detailed course information can be found in AUC’s learning management system, Canvas, at
[Link]

MOLECULES TO MEDICINE
(20 credit hours) Module Number MTM101
The Molecules to Medicine module will provide students with a current understanding of the
intimate interplay between molecular structures and functions, intracellular molecular systems
and human pathologies using a systemic approach. As the introductory module in the Medical
Sciences curriculum, Molecules to Medicine provides a reliable multidisciplinary source of
knowledge that will serve as the fundamental base to current concepts in medicine. Content is
provided using evidence-based cases to facilitate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Communication, collaborative teamwork and development of skills in systems-based practice are
introduced early and practiced with the intention of improving patient outcomes. Students will be
able to demonstrate knowledge about the established and evolving core of basic medical
sciences, apply knowledge of basic medical sciences to patient care, and develop investigatory
and critical thinking approaches.

HEMATOLOGY, ONCOLOGY, ATTACK AND DEFENSE

(10 credit hours) Module Number HOA201
The Hematology, Oncology, Attack and Defense module provides a comprehensive and in-depth
study of normal and abnormal blood physiology, hematological oncology, pharmacology,
histology and embryology, pathology, immunology, and microbiology. Clinical aspects of anemia,
leukemia, lymphoma, bleeding disorders, immunologic disorders and neoplasms are considered.

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Various clinical abnormalities of blood and immune systems are discussed. In addition to these
topics, aspects of pharmacology, imaging, public health, psychosocial aspects of illness, ethics
and health care transformation are presented. This module continues the application of problem
solving and analytical thinking skills to clinically integrated problems in basic medical science.
Prerequisite: Molecules to Medicine (MTM101)

MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN

(10 credit hours) Module Number MSD202
Musculoskeletal and Dermatology module aims to examine the organ systems of the skin and the
musculoskeletal structures. The students will develop theoretical and clinical skills via lectures,
on-line learning, and clinical workshops to develop in depth knowledge of concepts and clinical
skills in the musculoskeletal and dermatology fields. Clinical medicine will foster the development
of objective, data driven evaluation skills in the evaluation of scientific and clinical data especially
in the medical literature and case studies in the field of musculoskeletal and dermatology fields.
Prerequisite: Hematology, Oncology, Attack and Defense (HOA201)

CARDIOVASCULAR
(10 credit hours) Module Number CAV301
The Cardiovascular module will provide students with a detailed understanding of the
cardiovascular system that integrates knowledge from scientific disciplines and clinical medicine.
Development of skills in use and interpretation of clinical investigative techniques
and critical and analytical thinking skills in the evaluation of scientific and clinical information as
applied to diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders are essential aspects of the module.
Prerequisite: Musculoskeletal and Skin (MSD202)

RESPIRATORY AND RENAL

(10 credit hours) Module Number RAR302
The Respiratory and Renal module will provide students with a detailed understanding of the
respiratory and renal systems that integrates knowledge from scientific disciplines and clinical
medicine. Development of skills in use and interpretation of clinical investigative techniques and
critical and analytical thinking skills in the evaluation of scientific and clinical information as applied
to diagnosis of respiratory and renal disorders are essential aspects of the module.
Prerequisite: Cardiovascular (CAV301)

GASTROINTESTINAL AND NUTRITION

(10 credit hours) Module Number GIN401
The Gastroenterology-Nutrition module will discuss and integrate the normal anatomy,
embryology, histology, and physiology of the gastrointestinal system and the role of nutrition in
human health. The normal functioning of the GI system will be compared to pathologies at the
molecular, biochemical, cellular, tissue, and whole-organ levels. An evidence-based and patient-
centered approach will be applied to the teaching of how to manage and maintain a healthy
gastrointestinal system. Prerequisite: Respiratory and Renal (RAR302)

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ENDOCRINE AND REPRODUCTIVE

(10 credit hours) Module Number ENR402
The Endocrine and Reproductive module will concentrate teaching on normal and abnormal
male/female reproduction and normal and abnormal endocrine function. A multidisciplinary
approach including embryology, anatomy, histology, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology
will establish the core medical knowledge required for these organ systems. Module concepts
will include normal and abnormal endocrine function and disease states produced from pathologic
conditions of the adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, liver, hypothalamus and pituitary glands,
adipose tissue, and the reproductive organs. As the basic foundational knowledge is established
the clinical medicine component of the module will integrate all aspects of the science and art of
medicine. The subject matter will also cover public health, ethics and social disparities and effects
on endocrine and reproductive health.
Prerequisite: Gastrointestinal and Nutrition (GIN401)

BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR

(10 credit hours) Module Number BAB501
The Brain and Behavior module will integrate and discuss the normal and abnormal anatomy,
embryology, histology, and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous system. The etiology
and process of development for these systems will be included. The nervous system's functional
and behavioral expression will be covered from molecular, biochemical, anatomical, genetic,
psychological, psychiatric, psychosocial, geographic, and cultural perspectives. This will be
applied in the evidence-based and patient-centered processes of assessing and diagnosing
various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Prerequisite: Endocrine and Reproduction (ENR402)

CLINICAL REASONING
(10 credit hours) Module Number CLR502
The Clinical Reasoning module serves as a capstone experience to the medical sciences
curriculum. This module also focuses on final preparation for USMLE Step 1. Students are
expected to demonstrate competency in clinical skills using a multi-station Objective Structured
Clinical Examinations (OSCE).
Prerequisite: Brain and Behavior (BAB501)

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT COURSES

The Learning Enhancement Courses (LECs) are designed for medical science students who
require additional support to develop competency in mastering course materials to promote
effective strategies for improving study skills. LEC aims to strengthen cognitive areas by reviewing
basic science material and clinical integration while developing learning acquisition in non-
cognitive areas such as goal setting, time management, note-taking, test-taking strategies, and
study approaches. LEC will also feature discussions in study resource management, wellness,
and reflection. These courses include active learning, engagement, participation, discussions by
students, and are facilitated by the Academic Support team in collaboration with the relevant
module faculty.

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Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC101 (1 credit hour, Semester 1)

LEC101 integrates concepts of the Molecules to Medicine Course. Students repeating
Molecules to Medicine will concurrently enroll in LEC101. This 16-week course will be
offered in the first semester and will focus on cognitive and non-cognitive factors identified
as contributing to a student’s struggles with the module content during their first attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC201 (5 credit hours, Semester 2)

The LEC201 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Hematology,
Oncology, Attack and Defense module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week
course is offered in Weeks 9-16 of Semester 2. The course will focus on cognitive and
non-cognitive factors identified as contributing to a student’s struggles with the module
content during their first attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC202 (5 credit hours, Semester 3)

The LEC202 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Musculoskeletal
and Skin module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week course is offered in
Weeks 1-8 of Semester 3. The course will focus on cognitive and non-cognitive factors
identified as contributing to a student’s struggles with the module content during their first
attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC301 (5 credit hours, Semester 3)

The LEC301 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Cardiovascular
module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week course is offered in Weeks 9-16
of Semester 3. The course will focus on cognitive and non-cognitive factors identified as
contributing to a student’s struggles with the module content during their first attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC302 (5 credit hours, Semester 4)

The LEC302 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Respiratory and
Renal module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week course is offered in Weeks
1-8 of Semester 4. The course will focus on cognitive and non-cognitive factors identified
as contributing to a student’s struggles with the module content during their first attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC401 (5 credit hours, Semester 4)

The LEC401 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Gastrointestinal
and Nutrition module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week course is offered in
Weeks 9-16 of Semester 4. The course will focus on cognitive and non-cognitive factors
identified as contributing to a student’s struggles with the module content during their first
attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC402 (5 credit hours, Semester 5)

The LEC402 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Endocrine and

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Reproduction module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week course is offered
in Weeks 1-8 of Semester 5. The course will focus on cognitive and non-cognitive factors
identified as contributing to a student’s struggles with the module content during their first
attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC501 (5 credit hours, Semester 5)

The LEC501 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Brain and
Behavior module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week course is offered in
Weeks 9-16 of Semester 5. The course will focus on cognitive and non-cognitive factors
identified as contributing to a student’s struggles with the module content during their first
attempt.

Learning Enhancement Course Number LEC502 (5 credit hours, Semester 5)

The LEC502 course is intended to prepare students that have failed the Clinical
Reasoning module to succeed in their second attempt. This 8-week course is offered in
Weeks 1-8 of Semester 6. The course will focus on developing Clinical Reasoning skills
as preparation for taking USMLE Step 1 and beginning clinical rotations.

ELECTIVES
Independent Research is available to all medical sciences students in good standing, regardless
of whether they are enrolled in the Discipline-based Medical Sciences Curriculum or the
Integrated Medical Sciences Curriculum.

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ELECTIVE

(1 credit hour each) Course Numbers IRE601, IRE602, IRE603
Enrollment in Independent Research offers an opportunity to initiate and/or participate in a
research project that includes use of the scientific method of inquiry. Students work on a research
project as an individual or group with guidance from a faculty mentor/principal investigator and a
supervisory committee. Successful completion of the elective credit course requires knowledge
of research processes, including writing a research proposal, ethical research conduct, and a
report of outcomes written and presented in a formal writing style. Enrollment in Independent
Studies in Research is open to full-time students in semesters two through four who are in good
academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 80.00% or above and no “major” courses (defined
as 4 or more credits) failed in the prior semester. Registration requires a request by the faculty
mentor to the Office of the Registrar to enroll a student.

Independent Community Engagement Credit is available for Sint Maarten campus-based

students, regardless of when they matriculated and regardless of whether they are enrolled in the
Discipline-based Medical Sciences Curriculum or the Integrated Medical Sciences Curriculum.

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CREDIT – SINT MAARTEN CAMPUS

(1 credit hour each) Course Numbers CEC630, CEC631, CEC632

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Enrollment in Independent Community Engagement offers the student a chance to work

collaboratively with members of the Sint Maarten community to address a community priority.
Enrolled student(s) write a project proposal; develop and implement a project that combines
community service with explicit learning objectives, preparation, and reflection; and deliver oral
and written reports of the project summary and outcomes, lessons learned, and future
work/questions to be addressed.

Enrolled student(s) work with a committee comprised of faculty mentor, community mentor, and
Assistant Dean for Community Engagement. The student must be in good academic standing
and demonstrate SAP. Students enrolled in this activity must follow the Guidelines for Student
Led Community Engagement Experiences.

Service-learning credits cannot be used as credits required for graduation, or to fulfill the
requirements for satisfactory academic progress SAP.
SERVICE-LEARNING ELECTIVE – SINT MAARTEN CAMPUS
(1 credit hour each) Course Numbers SLE620, SLE621, SLE622
AUC students will collaborate with AUC faculty and community partners in planning a community-
based health-related service to benefit Sint Maarten by addressing a community priority and
contributing to student learning. Activities will involve a project proposal, critical review of literature
and application of best practice implementation of community-based, health-related
research/service.
Service-learning credits cannot be used as credits required for graduation, or to fulfill the
requirements for satisfactory academic progress (SAP).

DISASTER MEDICINE ELECTIVE – SINT MAARTEN CAMPUS

(1 credit hour each) Course Number CDM620
The Disaster Medicine elective will prepare students to help manage, plan, and coordinate a
potential disaster. The disaster medicine training includes FEMA guidelines, emergency
preparedness, and national incident management, as well as other nongovernment organizations
roles in disaster relief, management, and recovery.

CORE CLINICAL ROTATIONS

INTERNAL MEDICINE
(12 weeks)
This core clerkship is designed for students to participate in general internal medicine areas,
granting exposure to the diagnostic and treatment process as it unfolds. The core clerkship will
involve inpatient and outpatient settings and expose students to a broad array of subspecialty
services. Students develop competence in evaluating broad clinical problems, patient
management skills, interpretation of laboratory and imaging results and documentation and
communication of findings. Students will also learn about screening guidelines and disease

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prevention. Their “hands-on” patient experience is supplemented by tutorials and didactic

sessions.

SURGERY
(12 weeks)
The core clerkship in surgery aims to develop skills that general physicians expect of students as
well as skills unique to surgery. Students further develop abilities in data synthesis and problem
solving and become oriented to the clinical setting related to surgery. Ideally, students follow
patients from admission through discharge. Students are expected to participate in all aspects of
patient care including assisting in the Operating Room, Emergency Room and Acute Care Units.
Students will learn systems-based approaches to patient safety and minimizing preventable errors
in the Operating Room.

PEDIATRICS
(6 weeks)
This core clerkship provides a broad overview of general pediatrics and may also include
exposure to pediatric subspecialty services. Students will gain experience in in-patient and
ambulatory pediatric care. Pediatric intakes and ward rounds are the basis of in-patient care.
Ambulatory care experience is gained in general pediatric clinics by evaluating patients with
common complaints and disorders. Students will also see patients presenting for well-visits and
learn about normal childhood development and disease prevention. Students’ “hands-on” patient
experience is supplemented by tutorials and didactic sessions.

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

(6 weeks)
During this core clerkship, students will be assigned patients on the Obstetrics and Gynecology
services for evaluation. Participation in normal newborn deliveries will be stressed. Introduction
to the newborn nursery and neonatal ICU will be encouraged. As time permits, students will follow
patients through completion of their admission, delivery, or surgery and their postpartum or
postoperative care. Students will gain experience in in-patient and ambulatory patient care.
Students will also participate in gynecologic surgery and the care of patients admitted to the
hospital’s gynecology service. They may also work with subspecialists in areas such as maternal-
fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, and reproductive endocrinology.

PSYCHIATRY
(6 weeks)
This clerkship builds upon classroom knowledge developed during the first and second years of
Medical Sciences. Students will gain experience in in-patient and ambulatory psychiatric care.
Students will be trained to administer and interpret mental status examinations. Students may
also participate in services such as consultation/liaison, geriatric, addiction services. Resources
available for care of psychiatric patients are presented and students are encouraged to assist in
discharge planning. Skill in the evaluation and diagnosis of the psychiatric patient is developed

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through direct patient interviews and didactic sessions.

ELECTIVE ROTATIONS
In consultation with his/her Clinical Advisor, each student selects elective rotations from the AUC
Elective Guide. Students are advised to take four to eight weeks of electives in a primary field of
interest. Four to six weeks of family practice is highly recommended, as this is a condition of
licensure in many US states.

The elective rotations described below are a sample of those commonly selected. Please refer to
the AUC Elective Guide for a comprehensive listing of elective rotations.

FAMILY MEDICINE
(4-6 weeks)
This clerkship encompasses the comprehensive and longitudinal care of patients with a special
emphasis on care of individuals in the context of families and communities. Students participate
in patient care at offices and clinics throughout the region, including hospital-based sites and a
variety of community-based locations.

INTERNAL MEDICINE (IM) ELECTIVE

(2 weeks)
This elective is ideally suited for students to take prior to starting core clerkships, although it may
also be beneficial to a student wishing to improve their History and Physical examination, clinical
reasoning, and practical procedural skills at any time in their clinical training. There are currently
two locations where this elective is available: Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida with multiple
start dates throughout the year, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals in London, UK in
January, May and September each year.

INTERNAL MEDICINE SUB-INTERNSHIP

(4 weeks)
This sub-internship provides students the opportunity to assume responsibility for patient care at
the level of a PGY-1 resident or intern. As a key member of the team, a sub-intern can practice
advanced skills in history taking and physical examination, problem formulation, and patient
management. Students are responsible for assessing each assigned patient daily, presenting
their findings during work rounds, and for accurately recording patient findings, assessments, and
management plans.

PSYCHIATRY SUB-INTERNSHIP
(4 weeks)
This senior elective introduces students to the management of psychiatry issues in medical
patients. This elective considers the implications of recent neuroscience discoveries on the

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mental functioning of patients a primary care specialist may encounter in their practice. This
rotation focuses on patients who are generally functional and may not be severely mentally ill but
are suffering from psychological effects of severe medical problems.

EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(4 weeks)
During this elective, students are exposed to three types of patients: emergent (patients with life
threatening conditions), urgent (patients in need of immediate treatment) and non-emergent
(patients with minor illness or injury). Students learn to make a rapid evaluation of the patient’s
condition, take a pertinent history, and assist in the treatment of the immediate medical problem
at hand. Ordering and interpretation of appropriate lab and x-rays for precise and rapid
determination of a treatment plan are stressed, as well as proper referral and follow-up care
instructions to the patient.

CARDIOLOGY
(4 weeks)
This elective introduces students to all aspects of cardiovascular medicine including valvular,
ischemic, hypertensive, and congenital heart disease with an emphasis on clinical assessment
and physical diagnosis skills. Students may have the opportunity to participate in the full spectrum
of noninvasive cardiology testing, including ECG interpretation, echocardiography,
electrophysiology lab and stress testing.

GASTROENTEROLOGY
(4 weeks)
During this elective, the student may observe cases including endoscopies, ERCP, esophageal
motility tracings, flexible sigmoidoscopies, colonoscopies, and gastroscopies. Involvement will
include reviewing x-rays with the teaching staff. Students will be expected to present cases
logically and concisely and have the experience of first encounter with patients and be able to
make supervised clinical decisions.

NEUROLOGY
(4 weeks)
This elective is designed to give the student an opportunity to learn the neurologic exam as well
as to be acquainted with the diagnosis, findings and treatment of the following frequently seen
neurological diseases: stroke, headaches, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, dizziness,
dementia, neuropathy, myopathy, meningitis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, coma, among
others. The student may participate in daily hospital rounds, perform consultations with
supervision, and office hours.

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RADIOLOGY
(4 weeks)
This elective will introduce the student to the fundamentals and basic principles of radiologic
imaging and interpretation necessary for clinical management. In addition to learning to interpret
plain film imaging, the students will also be exposed to more advanced imaging modalities (CT,
Ultrasound, and MRI). The students will be taught relevant radiologic anatomy and the
appropriateness of ordering various studies in the diagnosis of disease. They will be exposed to
what the performance of various studies entails and the basics of radiologic reporting and
dictation.

PULMONOLOGY
(4 weeks)
This elective is designed to expose the student to management of acute and chronic respiratory
disease in the office and hospital settings, including the ICU. It includes exposure to fiber optic
bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, pulmonary function testing, ABGs and diagnostic imaging of the
lungs and chest (x-ray and CT). It also includes introduction to the management and treatment of
sleep disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

ANESTHESIOLOGY
(4 weeks)
This elective is designed to enhance the cognitive and procedural skills of students participating
in the performance of anesthesia on patients undergoing surgical or endoscopic procedures.
Students learn the basics of emergent management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation including
intubation, risks and complications of anesthesia in patients of advanced age, those with multiple
co-morbidities, and individuals with polypharmacy. Students will be able to participate in the
preoperative, operative, and post-operative management of patients.

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SINT MAARTEN CAMPUS RESOURCES,

ACTIVITIES & POLICIES
ORIENTATION
Incoming student orientation at AUC serves to assist all new students in their transition to life at
AUC. Taking place during the weekend before the first week of every semester, the program is
designed to inform new students about all the elements important to their success as a medical
student, including class registration, academic advising, professional behavior and community
standards, and student housing.

RESIDENT ADVISORS AND ORIENTATION ADVISORS

Resident Advisors (RAs) and Orientation Advisors (OAs) are upperclassmen assigned to help
new students acclimate. RAs assist new residents with all housing-related matters; in addition,
they provide information about services available at the university and in the local community.
OAs mentor new students by sharing insight about living on Sint Maarten, best study techniques,
what to expect during the first semester, and other topics of interest. Each incoming student is
assigned an OA prior to arriving on the island.

CAMPUS ACCESS
The AUC campus is monitored by security personnel. Only AUC faculty, staff, registered students,
spouses and authorized visitors who display current ID badges are allowed on campus. AUC
reserves the right to ask any visitor, student, or staff member to leave the facility following any
disruptive behavior. Spouses and visitors must check in with a security guard and obtain a guest
permit. This will enable them to access the campus if the visit is authorized. The campus opens
at 7:00 a.m. daily. Students placed on suspension for any reason will immediately lose their
access to campus. Students who are dismissed without the right to appeal will have their campus
access revoked three days after formal notification of dismissal.

FACULTY OFFICE HOURS AND ADVISEMENT

All AUC professors are available for individual student consultation and advisement outside of
regular class hours, during posted office hours. Students are expected to meet regularly with
faculty to discuss exams, quizzes, and lecture materials.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
AUC encourages students to become involved in community outreach programs. Students are
able to utilize their newly gained knowledge while volunteering to participate in general health
care events (i.e., diabetes screening) or teach health education to Sint Maarten residents. Other

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community service initiatives include island beautification, rehabilitation programs, aid to children,
and animal welfare. Students engaging in community outreach must follow the Guidelines for
Student Led Community Engagement Experiences.

DRESS CODE
Attire both on- and off-campus (excluding clinical hospital settings) is generally informal, although
students are required to be presentable in keeping with the standards of future physicians.
Students that are found to be dressed inappropriately are subject to being asked to leave the
campus or hospital rotation until such time that they are allowed access upon appropriate attire.
Continued inappropriate dress may lead to disciplinary action per the Student Conduct Complaint
and Appeal Policy.

ELECTRONIC BOOKS
AUC uses electronic books (eBooks) for all their semesters in Medical Sciences and students
must independently purchase the complete list of all required books. AUC has developed
relationships with publishers and often receives the eBooks at a discounted cost and is thus able
to pass savings onto students through the AUC Bookstore.

Students should note that not all vendors offer all the required books as new, used, for rent or
electronic; thus, students may have to purchase books from several vendors. Books may need to
be shipped by the student and personally cleared by customs, as these options on vendor sites
may not be available ship to the Caribbean islands (i.e., Amazon®).

Books are required and essential for learning the material needed for Medical Sciences. A faculty
member may request to review that a student has purchased all required materials.

LIBRARY SERVICES
In Sint Maarten, the Medical Library, located in Building 1, is open and staffed 7 days a week from
8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. The library provides socially distanced seating in four quiet study rooms
including one space with four computer terminals that is open 24/7. In addition, there are 10 small
group study rooms in the library, seven in Building 2 and eight on the 5th floor of the on-campus
apartments that can be reserved on the library website at [Link]

The library has 4,000 print titles, a growing e-book collection, and a collection of DVDs. There is
a robust interlibrary loan service offered at no cost with a turn-around time of 1-3 days. Other
services include printing, copying, and scanning.

The library website, [Link] is available 24/7 both on and off campus.
The website provides access to a host of the premier medical resources including, but not limited
to, UpToDate, Dynamic, Access Medicine, Case Files Collection, First Aid for the USMLE, Bates’
Visual Guide to the Physical Examination, OVID Evidence-Based Medical Reviews, LWW Basic

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and Anatomical Sciences Collection, more than 500 medical journals, the library catalog, and the
ability to conduct a search that encompasses all of the library’s electronic resources in the One
Search box. Anything students need to know about the library (check out procedures, overdue
fines, library staff, library mission and vision, contact information, etc.) is available on the website.

The library staff and the Library Director are available to help during regular library hours.

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE EQUIPMENT

The faculty on the Medical Sciences campuses will utilize a range of practical and procedural
skills equipment, including high-fidelity simulation and clinical tools used in diagnosis and
treatment.

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER

AUC’s Sint Maarten Learning Resource Center is staffed by the Director of Academic Support
and Learning Skills Specialists who works directly with students to maximize their academic
performance. The center offers support and guidance both in individual and group settings with
study-related matters. Students may utilize these valuable services to improve their study skills,
learning strategies, and test-taking performance. The center also offers both course and individual
tutoring for students wishing to solidify their knowledge of the basic Medical Sciences content in
their courses. For more information, contact AcademicSupport@[Link].

FITNESS CENTER POLICIES

Use of Fitness Center

The Sint Maarten Fitness Center hours may be limited. Currently enrolled students of AUC,
faculty, staff and such guests that have been issued an identification badge bearing the name
and picture of the individual “User” are approved to use the Fitness Center. Fitness Center users
must always have an AUC ID badge available for easy verification by AUC staff.

Children under the age of 13 are prohibited within the weight room area of the gym. Children
may accompany a parent or guardian within the lounge area and the exercise class area only if
they are supervised continuously.

Users of the Fitness Center will always be expected to comply with any policies, rules or
regulations which may be posted from time to time to govern such usage. Use of the Fitness
Center is a privilege, not a right. Failure to comply with terms of usage will result in revocation of
this privilege.

Fitness Center users shall be expected to meet a standard of hygiene and cleanliness while
attending classes, lectures, and examinations suitable for an institution of learning leading to a
professional degree.

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Assumption of Risk

Use of AUC’s Fitness Center is voluntary. Users assume responsibility for their own well-being
and safety. Users are advised to consult a physician on matters regarding their health status prior
to entering the Fitness Center. Users of the Fitness Center attest and verify that they are
physically fit to engage in any activity that they undertake.

In consideration of their use of the Fitness Center, Users hold harmless AUC, its employees,
Board of Trustees or any other person with an interest in or acting on behalf of AUC, from all
liability for injury to property or person suffered during such use. This is binding upon their heirs,
executors and administrators and is demonstrated and renewed each time the User enters the
Fitness Center.

Fitness Center Rules & Regulations

The following rules have been established to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all Fitness
Center users and to preserve the facilities for their intended use. Cooperation of all users is
appreciated. Staff has been hired to enforce all Fitness Center rules and all posted regulations.
Fitness Center users who notice violations of rules, regulations, or policies are asked to bring
them to the attention of the staff.

• No bicycles or animals are permitted inside the Fitness Center. Gallon jugs, smoking,
smokeless tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and gum are not permitted. Beverage containers
must have a lid. Turf shoes, cleats, spikes, or roller blades must be removed before
entering. Spitting, inappropriate language, verbal abuse and fighting will not be tolerated.
• Sweat towels are not provided and Users should bring their own.
• Users are expected to be considerate of others. Time limitations may be posted imposing
a limit on the length of workouts or activities during peak hours of usage.
• Persons must be at least 18 years of age in order to be in the strength room area. Lifters
must wear workout clothing, including shirt and shoes; no street clothing is allowed. Lifters
must re-rack all plates, dumbbells and attachments after each use and wipe off equipment
after use. Lifters must not drop or throw weights. For safety purposes, children under 13
are not permitted in the weight training or free weights area.

STUDENT VEHICLES ON CAMPUS

If a student wishes to bring a vehicle to the Sint Maarten campus, or if a student purchases a
vehicle while attending the Sint Maarten campus, he or she will be required to register that vehicle
with AUC. The student will also be required to sign an agreement with AUC acknowledging that
if the student leaves the vehicle in Sint Maarten after the student graduates or otherwise leaves
Sint Maarten permanently or for a period of more than six months, AUC will remove and dispose
of these vehicles as outlined in the Abandoned Vehicle Section of the Parking Rules &

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Regulations.

CAMPUS SMOKE-FREE POLICY

Scientific findings, as summarized by the United States Surgeon General and the Environmental
Protection Agency indicate that the simple separation of buildings into “smoking” and
“nonsmoking” sections does not do enough to eliminate environmental tobacco smoke.
Considering the health hazards associated with tobacco smoke for smokers and non-smokers
alike, AUC has adopted the smoke-free policy set forth below.

All buildings, including academic, administrative, dining, residential service and mixed-use
facilities and all vehicles, which are owned, operated or leased by AUC, will be entirely smoke-
free. This includes the use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices. The smoke-free policy will apply to
all indoor air space, including all common areas and assigned spaces. Smoking is not permitted
on the exterior breezeways or within 50 feet of an entrance or window of any building. Smoking
is permitted only in designated smoking areas. All cigarette butts should be appropriately
extinguished and disposed of in a receptacle provided for that purpose.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions or terminations pursuant to AUC’s
Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy. Students who cause damage to AUC property in
violation of the smoking policy will be charged for necessary repairs including refinishing,
repainting and reupholstering.

SAFETY INFORMATION
The security of all members of the AUC community is a priority. Each year, AUC publishes a
report outlining security and safety information, as well as crime statistics for the campus
community. This report provides suggestions about crime prevention strategies as well as
important policy information on emergency procedures, reporting of crimes and support services
for victims of sexual assault. The report also contains information about AUC’s policy on alcohol
and drugs and informs students where to obtain the policy. This report is available from the
campus administrator and is posted on the Student Consumer Information page of the AUC
website.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
The Sint Maarten campus is monitored by a digital surveillance camera system. Cameras are
located outside and inside many campus facilities, including residence halls and academic
buildings in areas where there is common access and no normal expectation of privacy. The
camera system is used for crime prevention and investigative purposes. UK Track students
should consult the following information: [Link]

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TIMELY NOTICE / CRIME ALERT

This includes notices of serious but non-critical life safety incidents of those crimes that have
occurred and pose an ongoing threat to students and the AUC community. Information will be
issued from the Campus Administrator’s Office or the Campus Administrator’s delegates via AUC-
wide email blasts, printed flyers/posters, and any other available means deemed necessary. The
Campus Administrator maintains an ongoing communication with the Chief of Police and the Chief
Inspector as well as the Director of Public Relations of the Police Department of Sint Maarten and
enlists their cooperation in informing AUC about incidents and crimes reported to them that may
warrant timely warning.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Dean’s Office Sint Maarten Campus Administrator

+1 305-569-8853 +1 721-545-2298 ext. 4041258

Chief Academic Officer Sint Maarten Campus

+1 305-569-8878 +1 721-545-2298

Miramar Administrative Offices Sint Maarten Campus Security

+1 305-446-0600 +1 721-545-2298 ext. 4041257

UK Track – Associate Dean for Academic UK Track / UCLan Campus Security

Affairs 01772 892068
01772 891942

Please refer to AUC’s Student Consumer Information webpage for additional and the most up-
to-date information on health and safety and other matters including the annual crime statistics
and fire safety report.

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STUDENT WELLBEING
WELLNESS COUNSELING
AUC offers wellness counseling and wellness coaching throughout its 4-year program to help all
AUC students achieve and maintain balance in life during medical school. Services are
complimentary and include individual, group, and family counseling; assessment and referral;
preventative education; and crisis intervention. On the Sint Maarten Campus, the Wellness
Counseling Center is in Building 1 behind Chertok Hall. For clinical sciences, remote AUC
wellness counselors are available for virtual counseling sessions and outreach. Any AUC student,
whether on the Sint Maarten Campus, the UK Campus, or clinical rotations may request a
confidential appointment by emailing sxmwellness@[Link] .

AUC THRIVE WELLNESS AND HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM

Created in 2019, the mission of the AUC THRIVE Wellness and Health Promotion Program is to
develop, implement, and assess ongoing, comprehensive 4-year initiatives designed to decrease
burnout and promote a culture of wellbeing at AUC. Students may access more information and
learn how to participate in their cohort’s THRIVE Wellness Committee by emailing
thrive@[Link].

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CONFERENCE STIPENDS
Conference stipends are intended to support current AUC students in their pursuit of research
and presentation of original material at formal professional association meetings. These set
stipends are available for both medical sciences and clinical sciences students and are to be used
toward registration fees, travel, accommodation, and costs associated with poster printing.
Application for a conference stipend does not guarantee approval and is subject to review and
availability. Please note that receipts for expenses must be submitted for reimbursement within
30 days of the end of the conference.

MEDICAL SCIENCES
Medical Sciences students who are participating in research with faculty members and have
received an invitation to present their original research at a conference may contact the Associate
Dean for Academic Affairs for approval prior to the start of the conference. A limited number of
conference stipends for Medical Sciences students are available and must be approved prior to
attendance at a conference. If approved, the relevant Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will
provide reimbursement information. All on-campus research proposals must be reviewed and
approved by AUC’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) before initiation.

CLINICAL SCIENCES
Clinical Sciences students who have submitted an abstract to a conference and have received
conference approval for presentation may contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs,
Clinical Sciences to apply for a conference stipend. A limited number of conference stipends for
clinical sciences students are available but must be approved prior to attendance at a conference.
Clinical Sciences students may receive one conference stipend during their clinical training. To
apply for a conference stipend as a Clinical Sciences student, please email a copy of the
submitted abstract and proof of acceptance by the conference with authors listed in advance of
the conference. If approved, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences will
provide reimbursement information. All clinically based research much be reviewed and approved
by the IRB at the relevant site before initiation.

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CLINICAL SCHEDULING
REQUIREMENTS & ROTATIONS
The following section sets out the policies and procedures that AUC students must follow to obtain
core clerkship and elective rotation schedules. Only clinical experiences established by AUC and
the students in accordance with these procedures will be recognized by the Office of Clinical
Advising and Clerkships. As per our accrediting body, core clerkships can only be completed at
clinical sites that have a formal affiliation agreement with AUC. Elective rotations do not have the
same affiliation restriction but still require pre-approval as noted in the elective section.
Unapproved core clerkships and elective rotations will not count toward graduation requirements
and will not be paid for by AUC.

TRANSITION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Transition to Clinical Medicine (TCM) Program is designed to help promote a continued sense
of community in Clinical Sciences that has been fostered in Medical Sciences. TCM includes
active participation in virtual student groups led by Clinical Education Fellows both before and
during their third-year core clinical rotations.

Clinical Education Fellows are recent AUC graduates who lead virtual TCM sessions for cohorts
of new clinical science students. Each Clinical Education Fellow is assigned groups of students
who have recently passed their USMLE Step 1 exam and are preparing to begin their clinical
clerkships. Clinical Education Fellows facilitate weekly one-hour online sessions to learn about
resources, documentation skills, and professionalism, and to prepare for clinical clerkships. In
monthly meetings after clerkships have started, students will learn about exams during clinicals,
the basics of clinical skills, including opportunities to practice group clinical cases, oral
presentations, and clinical notes, as well as electives and applying to the Match. Meetings take
place using cloud-based videoconferencing technology that is easily accessible on laptops,
tablets, and smartphones. Clinical Education Fellows discuss strategies for excelling during
clinical training and with preparation for USMLE examinations.

Although participation in the TCM Program is a graduation requirement, students will not receive
a grade for TCM on their transcripts. However, students will be evaluated based on
professionalism.

TCM Participation

Participation is required at all TCM meetings including weekly and monthly 1-hour sessions.
Exceptions include ALOA, illness, or emergency.

All clinical sites have been informed that, for those rare sessions which are scheduled during
typical working hours, AUC students need to be excused for one hour, once a month. As such, it

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is very important for students to discuss their TCM meeting time and schedules with their clerkship
faculty at the very start of the rotation.

For the rare circumstance when a meeting conflicts with critical clerkship didactic or clinical
learning, students should notify his/her Clinical Education Fellow in writing prior to the absence.
A student is responsible for contacting his/her Clinical Education Fellow via email or phone as
soon as possible for every required session that is missed. On an occasional basis, the group
may move its meeting to accommodate known scheduling conflicts. Failure of a student to contact
his/her Clinical Education Fellow may result in an unexcused absence.

Since this program is designed to provide AUC students with the opportunity to participate in a
“community of practice,” neither excused nor unexcused absences during the year can be made
up or remediated. A pattern of three or more absences during the year without timely and valid
explanation(s) will be referred to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences for
further investigation and intervention.

More detailed information regarding the TCM program may be found in the TCM section of
Canvas.

REQUIRED TOTAL CLINICAL WEEKS: CORE CLERKSHIPS AND ELECTIVES

Students matriculating to AUC beginning in the September 2019 semester or later will be required
to complete 80 weeks of clinical training. For students matriculating to AUC prior to the
September 2019 semester, a total of 72 weeks of clerkships are needed to complete the Clinical
Sciences requirements. Students matriculating to AUC prior to the September 2019 Semester
who have not yet graduated may request an additional eight clinical training weeks through the
Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships. AUC requires a minimum of 54 clinical weeks
(including all core clerkships) be undertaken at an affiliated teaching hospital in the UK or an
affiliated institution in the US that sponsors or participates in accredited ACGME residency
programs.

REQUIRED CORE CLERKSHIPS

AUC offers 42 weeks of core clerkships, including 12 weeks of Internal Medicine, 12 weeks of
Surgery, 6 weeks of Psychiatry, 6 weeks of Pediatrics, and 6 weeks of Obstetrics / Gynecology.
All core clerkships must be taken in AUC-affiliated institutions in the United States or United
Kingdom.

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES
The only residency and licensure requirement for elective rotations is Family Medicine which does
vary by state. As such, AUC strongly recommends that all students take at least one Family
Medicine elective. Students are strongly encouraged (but not required) to take the two-week
Internal Medicine elective that AUC has made available to students beginning with the September

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2021 semester at US and UK locations. The Internal Medicine Elective prior to starting core
clerkships, and the Emergency Medicine and Neurology electives after core clerkships are also
highly recommended. If interested, students can consult their Clinical Advisor for details.

CLINICAL ROTATION REQUIREMENTS

Clinical Sciences students are required to log every patient encounter and procedure
electronically in each core clerkship and elective. Case logs serve as a record of encounters and
activities that students have completed throughout clinical sciences. It is a form of professional
development in timely and accurate documentation that is an important skill for residency. Patient
encounters include all patients seen on rounds, individually or in teams, any surgeries or
procedures whether assisted or observed, work with standardized patients, and any virtual cases
completed in Canvas. Students are required to log a minimum of 20 case logs per week. For both
medical school accreditation and medical student self-directed learning purposes, students are
required to submit completed case log reports for every core and elective rotation through
Medtrics. Students should also print a copy of their case logs for review as part of their mid-
clerkship feedback sessions during each rotation. Timely completion of case logs is a requirement
for each rotation and therefore also a graduation requirement.

Students with delinquent case logs (case logs which have not been submitted to the registrar
within 14 days after the end of a completed clerkship) will be referred to the Senior Associate
Dean for Student Affairs for review and will result in a registration hold until all case logs are
completed for the rotation. Failure to submit final case logs within 30 days from the end date of
the clerkship will result in a final and permanent grade of “F” and the student will be required to
repeat the entire rotation. The “F” grade from the initial rotation will remain on the student’s
transcript and be factored into the cumulative average of clerkship grades.

Students are required to complete a Clinical Clerkship Evaluation Form in Medtrics for every core
and elective rotation. Failure to submit a Clinical Clerkship Evaluation Form within 30 days of
completing a rotation will result in a final and permanent grade of “F” and the student will be
required to repeat the entire rotation. The “F” grade from the initial rotation will remain on the
student’s transcript and be factored into the cumulative average of clerkship grades.

A Clinical Student Assessment Form indicating a student’s clinical performance will be submitted
at the end of every core and elective rotation by the clinical sites using Medtrics. For any core
clerkship or elective rotation that spans across two semesters, students will receive one Clinical
Student Assessment Form. Clinical sites have 30 days from the end of a core or elective rotation
to submit the completed Clinical Student Assessment Form to AUC. Completed Clinical Student
Assessment Forms are submitted to the Office of the Registrar via email
(aucregistrar@[Link]).

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ELECTIVE ROTATIONS
A total of 30 or 38 weeks of elective rotations must be taken. Each elective should be at least 4
weeks in duration. Only four 2-week electives are permitted per student during the clinical years,
unless a request for an exception is submitted to the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships
and approved by the relevant Associate Clinical Dean (US or UK). The maximum length of time
that a student may take any elective clerkship in any one subject area is 12 weeks. The maximum
number of non-internal medicine related electives is 12 weeks, unless a request for an exception
is submitted to the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships and approved by the Associate
Clinical Dean (US or UK). Internal medicine related electives include Family Medicine, Neurology,
Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Ophthalmology, Behavioral Medicine, Sports Medicine, Critical
Care, Dermatology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, as well as all the traditional internal
medicine subspecialties.

AUC’s affiliated institutions are listed on the school’s website. Students may also verify an
institutional affiliation and the rotations that are available by contacting the Office of Clinical
Advising and Clerkships at clinical@[Link]. No student may take more than two electives,
with a combined total duration of 8 weeks, at any one unaffiliated institution.

Any student wishing to take an elective rotation at an institution that does not sponsor or
participate in an ACGME-residency program in the same subject area (one that is not listed on
the ACGME web site at [Link]) must obtain prior written approval from the relevant
Associate Clinical Dean (US or UK). Written approval is required whether the rotation is requested
at an affiliated institution or non-affiliated institution. Certain documentation will be required to
support the application, such as a proposed curriculum, schedule, preceptor CV, and criteria for
assessment.

A maximum of 8 weeks of electives may be taken through an institution in Canada that is affiliated
with a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, after obtaining
written approval from the Associate Clinical Dean for the US.

Requests for specialty rotations, such as Global Health Electives, will be considered on an
individual basis after supporting material is reviewed and approved by the Office of Clinical
Advising and Clerkships as requested. If a student is going to rotate at a clinic, that clinic must be
affiliated with a hospital that will be signing the Clinical Student Assessment Form and entering
into an agreement with AUC, should it be required. Students cannot rotate at solitary clinics or
urgent care centers that are not part of a hospital.

For approved electives, the student may be required to pay the site directly and will be reimbursed
at the rate notified by the university (rates subject to change).

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SCHEDULING CORE CLERKSHIPS AND ELECTIVES

When a student secures their Prometric testing window through USMLE, he or she will be required
to upload the Prometric appointment to My AUC Med. Upon receiving a passing USMLE Step 1
score, students are responsible for sending in their score reports in PDF format to the Office of
the Registrar (aucregistrar@[Link]) which is responsible for managing students’ promotion
to clinical sciences and to the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships (clinical@[Link])
which is responsible for scheduling clerkship rotations.

AUC students who are not U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents of the United States must
obtain a B-1 Nonimmigrant Visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to entering the United
States to sit for their USMLE Step 1 examination and to complete their Clinical Sciences training.
AUC will provide documents in support of a B-1 Visa application. It is our strong recommendation
that students apply for the visa in the country of which they are a citizen. AUC is not responsible
for obtaining B-1 Visas for students and does not guarantee that every student who applies for a
B-1 Visa will be granted one. It is the student’s responsibility to plan accordingly and to consult
with an immigration attorney if necessary. Students undertaking core clinicals or clinical electives
in the UK may be required to apply for and purchase an appropriate student visa. Such students
are advised to contact the Senior Regional Coordinator-UK to discuss.

The Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships schedules the student for one or more available
clerkships and sends a tentative schedule summary to the student in advance of a clerkship start
date. Students should note that their schedule is subject to change until the office receives official
written confirmation from the student sent to clinical@[Link] that he or she has received a
schedule. Should a student choose to decline their initial core schedule options, they will
be reassigned to the bottom of the scheduling priority list. The Office of Clinical Advising
and Clerkships will always attempt to match a student’s clinical rotations to their preferred
geographical preferences, but there is no way to guarantee that match. Students
considering core clinical clerkships or clinical electives in the UK are advised to contact the
Associate Clinical Dean-UK and/or the Senior Regional Coordinator-UK to discuss such
placements. A welcome guide for UK clinicals is available on request. Students may only
undertake core clerkships at AUC-affiliated institutions in the US and UK. Under no circumstance
is a student allowed to apply for a core clerkship rotation at a non-affiliated institution.

Every student who has passed his or her USMLE Step 1 examination and will be traveling to the
UK for completion of 18 weeks or more of core clerkships is eligible for a $1,200 subsidy toward
the cost of expenses during these rotations. It is recommended that students traveling to the UK
use this subsidy to purchase their round-trip airline ticket as AUC will provide no other subsidy.
Students cancelling their UK rotations after receiving this subsidy will be responsible for full
repayment of the subsidy in addition to other applicable charges.

If the student cancels or changes the schedule for any reason with 45 days or less notice, they
will be charged a late cancellation fee of $600 per week for the total number of weeks cancelled.
This fee will be in addition to any penalty fee charged by the clinical site.

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Once a student has received a fully-or-partially-tracked (all or some rotations at the same site)
core clinical clerkship schedule, he or she must complete the acknowledgement and agreement
in its entirety and supply the required documentation. If at any point after receiving the tracked
schedule, the student should wish to change any part of it, he or she may incur associated fees
including applicable late cancellation fees, a $2,000 administrative fee, and any additional fees or
penalties imposed by the clinical site for the uncompleted rotations.

Students removed from a fully or partially tracked core clinical clerkship due to administrative
leave, involuntary deregistration, or failure to supply required hospital documents by required
deadlines will also be subject to a $2,000 administration fee plus the applicable late cancellation
fees for any tracked clerkships that start within 45-days of their removal from the site.

All new clinical sciences students are required to submit hospital clearance documentation to
American Data Bank (Complio). Any student experiencing difficulty with this process should
contact clinical@[Link] at least 60 days prior to their scheduled core or elective rotation.
For core rotations, students should upload hospital clearance documentation to American Data
Bank (Complio) during their USMLE Step 1 LOA. Students must complete a drug screening and
a criminal background check prior to the start of their clinical rotations.

All clinical students are responsible for updating health records, proof of vaccination, HIPAA
certificates, BLS certification through the American Heart Association (or UK equivalent of
Resuscitation Council UK BLS certification), infection control certificates, background screenings,
and drug screenings as required by their assigned clinical sites. Failure to provide required and
updated documentation at least 45 days prior to the start of a rotation will result in cancellation of
the core or elective rotation with a penalty fee of $600 per week cancelled plus any additional
fees charged by the clinical site.

Students must start their clinical rotations within 60 calendar days from the receipt of their
USMLE Step 1 score. Where a student is accepted into an affiliate program that requires
an application, interview process and acceptance, the 60 day start deadline may be waived
by the Director of the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships. Any other student
requests to delay this start will not be considered.

Prior to each clerkship start date, the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships will notify the
hospital of the student assignment by email. Typically, AUC submits a roster of assigned students,
together with the documentation listed below. Students should note that prior to that time, the
hospital may not have any information regarding the assignment and thus students should call
the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships and not the hospital to verify their rotation schedule.

Documentation provided to the hospital site by the Office of Clinical Advising and
Clerkships is listed below:
• Letter of Good Standing
• Malpractice Insurance Certificate

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• Student Transcript
• Student Immunization Records
• Clinical Student Assessment Form
• Rotation Confirmation Form
• Criminal Background Checks and all other current documentation that may be required by
the hospital site or mandated by third parties

After receiving confirmation from the hospital, the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships will
confirm the assignment with the student by email. Students are expected to check their AUC email
account daily. The student is also expected to acknowledge the confirmed assignment by email.

SCHEDULING ELECTIVE ROTATIONS

Effective September 1, 2021, all core clerkships must be completed before taking an elective
rotation, with the exception of up to two specific approved electives which may be taken prior to
starting core clerkships. The specific approved electives that fall under this policy are found in the
table below.

Elective Length Location Eligibility

Internal Medicine 2 weeks Cleveland Clinic All clinical students
Florida (US)
Chelsea &
Westminster Hospital,
London (UK)
Ambulatory Medicine 2 weeks Ascension Providence Only students in fully tracked
Hospital (APH), cores at APH
Michigan (US)
Ambulatory Medicine 2 weeks Chelsea & All clinical students
Westminster Hospital,
London (UK)
Radiology 4 weeks Nassau University Only students in fully tracked
Medical Center cores at NUMC
(NUMC), New York
(US)

Clinical students can request elective rotations by completing the Elective Rotation Request
Form at: [Link]

A list of hospitals affiliated with AUC for elective rotations is disseminated by the Office of
Clinical Advising and Clerkships to all clinical sciences students once each semester. Students
may explore available elective rotations at IMG friendly sites by reviewing sites that accept
international medical students found on the AAMC’s Extramural Electives Compendium here:
[Link]

While a student may request an elective rotation at an unaffiliated institution, students are

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advised that such a request may take several months to evaluate, and AUC may not be able to
accommodate the request. Occasionally, an unaffiliated institution site will require that AUC
enter into a formal affiliation agreement prior to scheduling a student for electives. In that case,
AUC and the institution will enter into contract negotiations, which may take months and is not
guaranteed to result in an agreement. Students should take these complexities into
consideration when requesting an elective rotation at an unaffiliated institution. Because of such
possible restrictions, AUC requires all requests for unaffiliated electives be submitted no less
than 90 days prior to the requested start day. Even with this 90-day window, there is no
guarantee the rotation will be approved.

Students considering electives in the UK should contact either the Associate Clinical Dean, UK
or the Senior UK National Coordinator with details of their desired elective specialty and dates.

AUC requires all students to complete a minimum of 54 weeks of their rotations at hospitals that
participate in or sponsor an ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship program in the same
subject area of the requested rotation. These 54 weeks must include all 5 core clerkship
rotations. In addition, for students interested in future licensure in Texas, a 4-week Family
Medicine elective rotation at an ACGME-sponsored program must be included. Once
students have met AUC’s ACGME weeks requirement, they are free to enroll in up to 18-26
weeks of non-ACGME rotations, including Global Health Electives, and other specialty electives.

If a student changes a confirmed elective schedule for any reason with 45 days or less notice
before the scheduled start date, he or she will be charged a late cancellation fee of $600 per
week by AUC for the total number of weeks cancelled. This fee will be in addition to any penalty
fee charged by both affiliated and non-affiliated sites.

If a student is administratively removed, placed on suspension, dismissed from AUC, or unable

to attend the rotation for any reason with 45 days or less notice before the commencement of a
rotation, the student will be charged the aforementioned administrative fees. Students removed,
suspended, or dismissed while rotating are also subject to the financial aid guidelines as set
forth in the student finance section.

After receiving written confirmation from the clinical site, the Office of Clinical Advising and
Clerkships will confirm the elective assignment with the student by email. Students are expected
to check their AUC email account daily. The student is also expected to acknowledge the
confirmed elective assignment by email.

STATE SPECIFIC CLINICAL REGULATIONS

AUC students are ineligible to engage in clinical rotations in the following states due to state-level
restrictions: Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode
Island, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming. Students may engage in clinical rotations in the
state of Washington only after establishing visitor status at the University of Washington School
of Medicine. Additional state restrictions include:

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• California: Affiliation agreements are required for all rotations completed in California.
• Florida: In order to schedule a rotation in Florida, students must complete the individual
hospital’s application process. Upon receiving confirmation of a scheduled rotation from
the hospital, please forward the confirmation email to the Office of Clinical Advising and
Clerkships at clinical@[Link]. AUC will inform the Senior Director of Business
Operations, who will complete a Commission for Independent Education form and work
directly with the hospital administration to attempt to execute an affiliation agreement.
Affiliation agreements are required for all rotations performed in Florida.
• Texas: AUC students may engage in clinical rotations in the state of Texas only through
a Texas-based university program. For more information on clinical rotations in Texas
please contact the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships at clinical@[Link].
• New York: AUC students engaging in core clerkships or in elective rotations at an affiliated
or a non-affiliated site in the state of New York are required to apply for a letter of eligibility
through the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Students will be responsible
for providing the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships with a $30 check or money
order addressed to the NYSED to process the letter of eligibility once the student has
received a written confirmation from the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships or the
hospital that he or she has been accepted for the elective rotation. Failure to provide the
required documentation 45 days prior to the start of a rotation will result in cancellation of
the core or elective rotation with a penalty fee of $600 per week cancelled plus any
additional fees charged by the clinical site. For more information or assistance with this
process students can email the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships at
clinical@[Link].

POLICIES FOR ROTATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

For AUC students rotating in the UK, please be advised that there are stringent policies relating
to traveling to the UK and time away while rotating in the UK.

• Some students may need a visa to study in the UK. Students who are US or Canadian
citizens studying in the UK for less than 26 weeks do not currently need a visa.
• For more information about all UK core clerkships and elective rotations, please contact
the Associate Clinical Dean-UK or the Senior Regional Coordinator-UK.
• Students are not allowed to take time off in the UK prior to the beginning of core rotations.
• Students are not permitted to take any time off during the first three days of a core rotation.
• The UK Border Agency (UKBA), also known as the UK Visa and Immigration Authority
(UKV&I) has strict rules for students issued a student visa. The UKBA must be notified,
through the AUC UK Dean’s Office of all students’ travel details (including dates of return
and departure; flight, ferry or train numbers; as well as destination).

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• The UK Dean’s Office is responsible for notifying the UKBA of students’ ALOA from any
of AUC’s seven clinical sites in the UK. Students travelling abroad who have not notified
the UK Dean’s Office prior to their travel may be denied re-entry into the UK by the UKBA.
The UKBA liaises with the UK Dean’s Office for all students returning to the UK upon the
student’s passport swiping at the border. It is extremely important that students give the
UK Dean’s Office three working days’ notice of all travels abroad (even if it does not involve
taking a working day off on leave).
• Students in possession of a UK passport do not need to be concerned about the UKBA
notification but are still required to adhere to the leisure time limits and notify their site
coordinator.
• Students must follow the leave policy for all leaves, including holiday leaves, such as
Christmas and New Year.
• Any breach of these AUC Rules will constitute grounds for the student’s immediate
dismissal from AUC.
• Any breach of the UK’s immigration laws means the UK Home Office may revoke a
student’s permission to be in the UK, detain a student, prosecute a student in the criminal
courts and then remove or deport a student from the UK. This will count as an adverse
UK immigration history and will impact on a student’s ability to return to the UK or enter or
obtain visas for other countries.
• Requests for leave should be submitted to the UK Dean’s Office via the hospital site
coordinator, director or deputy, and not directly to the UKBA from the student.
• Leave for emergencies will always override these rules and when such an instant arises,
students should contact their site coordinator immediately to oversee the logistics and
liaise with the UK Dean.

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ASSESSMENT POLICIES &

PROCEDURES
MEDICAL SCIENCES COURSE EXAMINATIONS AND USMLE STEP 1 EXAM
The responsible Course or Module Director shall determine the type, content, and frequency of
examinations, subject to any AUC applicable policies in effect at the time.

In the Discipline-based Curriculum, the examination structure is detailed in each course syllabi.

In the Integrated Curriculum, the examination structure is detailed in each module syllabi. To pass
any module and advance to the next module requires meeting expectations in each of three key
competencies: medical knowledge, clinical skills, and the art of medicine.

“Fit to Sit” Policy

By sitting for an exam or submitting coursework (e.g., quiz), a student is declaring that
they are fit to do so and that the grade they achieve should stand. Once a student chooses
to sit for an exam, additional consideration due to illness or other personal concerns relating to
that assessment is prohibited. The responsibility is on students to decide whether they are well
enough to sit for an exam or submit coursework. Students are required to declare that they are
not “fit to sit” before the exam starts.

The approval process for make-up examinations is through the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs, UK Track in the UK or the Office of Student Affairs in SXM. Students who miss an
examination (but not a quiz) due to an Excused Absence must take the make-up examination as
scheduled in the Master Academic Calendar.

Withdrawing a “fit to sit” declaration for course examinations

In certain circumstances, students are allowed to withdraw a “fit to sit” declaration, for instance,
where they were taken ill partway through an exam. Students are expected to provide evidence
to support a request to withdraw a “fit to sit” declaration, such as a subsequent note from a
licensed healthcare provider. Students who want to withdraw their declaration would normally
need to make a request for make-up examinations.

These policies do not apply to national examinations or examinations taken in Prometric Centers
which have their own policies and procedures.

USMLE Step 1 Exam

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In addition to the requirements for ECFMG certification, the criteria for certification of an
application to take the USMLE Step 1 is that a student must complete the Medical Sciences
portion of the curriculum with an AUC cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 70 percent. This
includes passing an approved medical sciences comprehensive examination with a minimum
equated percent score of 64.

At AUC, all students are required to pass USMLE Step 1 before proceeding to clinical rotations.
As of January 26, 2022, the USMLE program changed score reporting for USMLE Step 1 from a
three-digit numeric score to reporting only a pass/fail outcome. More information regarding
USMLE Step 1 may be found at [Link]/step-1/, and information regarding results and
scoring may be found at [Link]/scores-transcripts.

Upon receiving a score, students are responsible for sending in their score reports in PDF format
to the Office of Clinical Advising and Clerkships at clinical@[Link].

CLINICAL SCIENCES COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND USMLE STEP 2

CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE (CK) EXAM
Formal written assessments from core clerkships and electives include an assessment of the
student’s knowledge, clinical skills, and professionalism.

Student responsibilities:
• At the middle of each rotation, students complete a mid-clerkship self-assessment, which
includes learning goals in Medtrics.
• Students are routinely encouraged to share and discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and
learning goals with their clerkship or elective director at the start of the rotation and during
a mid-clerkship feedback session.
• Students are required to watch a Shelf Exam, Clinical COMP, and USMLE Step 2 CK
Webinar before their first NBME Shelf Exam. Failure to comply with this requirement could
result in an honor code violation. A webinar covering the OET is also available. Recorded
webinars are available in the Transition to Clinical Medicine (TCM) course in Canvas. To
watch a webinar:
o Navigate to the TCM Canvas course
o Select ECHO 360 Classroom from the left-hand menu
o Select the webinar you would like to watch
• Students who have concerns about their performance should immediately seek feedback
and guidance from their supervising clinical faculty. Clinical students should proactively
consult their Clinical Advisors and clerkship and site directors at their clinical site to
address any performance concerns prior to it impacting their evaluations.

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Faculty responsibilities:
• Each core Clerkship Director must provide formal mid-clerkship feedback to students after
2 to 3 weeks in a 4 or 6-week clerkship and after 5 or 6 weeks in a 12-week clerkship. This
routine process is for the purpose of identifying and formally notifying any student who is
having difficulty so he or she has an opportunity to improve his or her performance during
the remainder of the course.

A summary assessment is made of the student’s overall performance in the clerkship on the
Clinical Student Assessment Form. In addition to a summary assessment of the student’s
performance, course directors provide a descriptive summary from the clinical evaluators of the
student’s strengths and weaknesses in the summative and formative comment sections of the
form.

Per the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) guidelines, the full summative
comments as they appear in each Clinical Student Assessment Form will be included in every
student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letter. The MSPE letter is a summary
and evaluation of a student’s performance while in medical school and is required for all residency
program applications. While every student will be permitted to review their MSPE letter prior to its
submission, students may only submit requests to change or correct factual errors, such as
spelling of names, punctuation, etc. Students with questions or concerns about the comments in
clerkship evaluations should address them directly with the comment author(s). As such, it is
strongly suggested that students read all Clinical Student Assessment Forms as they are
submitted and contact comment author(s) as soon as possible to discuss any questions or
concerns with evaluation content. Author(s) who agree to change comments must submit a new
evaluation to the Office of the Registrar.

Clinical Sciences students must also pass a written National Board of Medical Examiners®
(NBME) Clinical Subject Examination (also known as a “shelf exam”) for each of AUC’s five core
clerkships to pass the clerkship in that specialty.

The NBME Clinical Subject Examination for each core clerkship must be taken during the final
week of the clerkship unless approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical
Sciences. This will require students to travel to a Prometric testing site at the appropriate
examination appointment time within an examination window arranged by Office of the Registrar.
Once the testing windows are arranged by the Office of the Registrar, the student will receive a
scheduling permit. The student must then schedule his or her examination on an exact date within
the window, confirmation of which is sent to his or her AUC student email address. All students
are expected to sit for the applicable NBME Clinical Subject Examination when scheduled. If an
exam is delayed, the student will be subject to financial penalty by the Prometric center and
possible clerkship failure. Any postponement in taking a NBME Clinical Subject Examination must
be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences.

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The student will receive a 7-day window of opportunity to schedule the NBME Clinical Subject
Examination within the last week of the core and must schedule and take the NBME Clinical
Subject Examination within that window. The NBME Clinical Subject Examination may not be
postponed except for personal illness or an emergency situation within one’s immediate family,
an emergency situation in the environment which prevents its completion, or a change enforced
upon AUC due to factors outside of the student’s control. Failure to complete an NBME Clinical
Subject Examination for other reasons without approval by the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs, Clinical Sciences will result in that student being ineligible for honors in the clerkship.
Students who do not complete their NBME subject exams during the last week of clerkship
will be reported to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences and may
result in administrative fees being assessed by the school or the testing facility, possible failure
of the clerkship, and will be noted as a breach of professional conduct in the student’s file. An
accumulation of three or more such breaches may trigger a formal administrative review (see
Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy for details). Students will be granted leave from
their current clinical activity sufficient to cover adequate time for travel to the site of their NBME
Clinical Subject Examination, performance of the NBME Clinical Subject Examination and return.
The student will be required to notify his/her clerkship director of the necessity for a leave to
complete an NBME Clinical Subject Examination.

Cancellation of a scheduled NBME Clinical Subject Examination will be subject to financial

penalties assessed by the Prometric center, the NBME, or both depending upon the nature of the
cancellation.

Students who do not pass the NBME Clinical Subject Examination with a minimum score of 66
on the first attempt (for rotations that started on or after January 1, 2022) will receive a temporary
grade of “I” for the clerkship and may retake the examination up to three more times. Any student
who fails an NBME Clinical Subject Examination will be required to work directly with the
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences as well as the relevant Clinical Chair to
arrange remedial clinical instruction and personalized advising with respect to preparation and
scheduling a subsequent attempt. If a student who failed an NBME Clinical Subject Examination
is currently enrolled in another clerkship, upon consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs, Clinical Sciences, he/she may be granted an extension until after the completion of other
core clerkships to retake the NBME Clinical Subject Exam. Once the student successfully passes
the relevant NBME Clinical Subject Examination with a minimum passing score of 66 (or whatever
the current minimum passing score at the time of the exam), then his/her core clerkship grade will
be changed to “P.” If a student fails the NBME Clinical Subject Examination for a fourth time, then
the student will receive a final grade of “F” for the rotation and be required to repeat the entire
clerkship. A fifth failure on an NBME Clinical Subject Examination in the same specialty will
constitute grounds for academic dismissal with the right to appeal.

Students who fail any NBME Examination (subject or comprehensive clinical) will be charged for
the subsequent re-attempt per exam. The fees are administered by NBME and are subject to
change without notification.

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Students who fail an NBME Clinical Subject Examination on the first attempt are required to watch
a webinar on Shelf Exams as remediation prior to their 2nd attempt. Students may locate the
recorded webinar in the TCM course of Canvas under the Echo360 classroom. Students who fail
the NBME Subject Examination for a clerkship twice will be required to meet with the Clinical
Chair of that specialty for remediation by contacting Clinical Exam Prep at
clinicalexamprep@[Link] before reattempting the exam. If a student fails any NBME
Clinical Subject Exam 3 or more times will be required to contact Clinical Exam Prep for further
remediation.

Any student who is granted a Long-Term Leave of Absence to take one or more NBME Clinical
Subject Examination and who does not sit for the NBME Clinical Subject Examination during the
leave period will be subject to academic dismissal with the right to appeal.

Students who have not passed the NBME Clinical Subject Examinations in all five core subjects
after two Long-Term Academic Leaves will be required to consult with the Associate Dean for
Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences who will refer the matter to the Clinical Sciences Leadership
Committee for review.

Any incidents pertaining to breaches of test security will be investigated. No one is allowed to
duplicate or retain any portion of any administered examination. This includes NBME
examinations, course quizzes, and examinations. AUC adheres to the policies and procedures
detailed in the NBME Executive Chief Proctor’s Manual. No one is allowed to have any
unauthorized personal items and/or devices in the testing room, such as cellular phones,
iPad®/iPod® and recording/filming devices. Any reported incident of breach of NBME policies or
procedures will be referred to the appropriate Dean for Student Affairs for an Administrative
Review proceeding under AUC’s Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy. Breach of NBME
policies or procedures may result in administrative sanctions up to and including dismissal from
the University.

AUC CLINICAL COMP AND USMLE STEP 2 CK POLICIES

All students are required to both take and pass the NBME Clinical Comprehensive Examination
(“the Clinical COMP”) before taking the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) examination.

Timing

Students must contact the Office of the Registrar to schedule testing windows for the Clinical
COMP. Testing windows are 7 days in length ranging from Monday to Sunday. Testing windows
lock 23 days prior to the start of the testing window for the NBME Clinical COMP and Shelf exam.
Once locked, these windows are not eligible for addition or cancellation of testing slots. The
timeframe to receive scores from the Clinical COMP exam will be the Tuesday following the close
of the testing window (except during observed holidays). AUC will send Clinical COMP scores to
the student via the student’s AUC email account.

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Ideally, students should complete all five (5) core clerkships prior to taking the Clinical COMP.
However, students may elect to sit for their first attempt of the Clinical COMP at their own
discretion. Students who take the Clinical COMP prior to completing all core clerkships are
permitted only one early attempt at the Clinical COMP.

For students who will not have completed all core clerkships by July 10th of the year prior to the
expected graduation date, those who satisfy the following requirements may request from the
Office of the Registrar to take the USMLE Step 2 CK exam before all core clerkships are
completed:
• Passed all Medical Sciences courses on the first attempt
• Passed USMLE Step 1 as follows:
o For those whose first attempt was prior to January 26, 2022, passed with a first
attempt score of 229 or above, and
o For those whose first attempt was after January 26, 2022, passed USMLE Step 1
on the first attempt
• Passed at least three core clerkships including Internal Medicine on the first attempt
• Passed all NBME Clinical Subject Examinations on the first attempt for the core
clerkships taken
• Passed the Clinical COMP on the first attempt with a score of 222 or above

Scoring of the COMP Examination

The Clinical COMP is a pass/fail examination that also provides students with a numeric grade.
Students who have completed all five (5) core clerkships when they take the Clinical COMP are
required to obtain a passing score of 216 or above before taking USMLE Step 2 CK.

Students who have not completed all five (5) core clerkships when they take the Clinical COMP
are required to achieve a passing score of 227 or above and meet the following requirements
described below before taking USMLE Step 2 CK:
• Passed USMLE Step 1 as follows:
o For those whose first attempt was prior to January 26, 2022, passed with a first
attempt score of 229 or above, and
o For those whose first attempt was after January 26, 2022, passed USMLE Step 1
on the first attempt
• Passed at least three core clerkships including Internal Medicine on the first attempt
• Passed all attempted NBME Clinical Subject Examinations on the first attempt for the core
clerkships taken
Students who have not completed all five (5) core clerkships when they take the Clinical COMP

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and achieve a passing score ranging from 216 – 226 must wait until the completion of their core
clerkships before taking USMLE Step 2 CK. For those who did not obtain a passing score of at
least 216, when retaking the Clinical COMP, these students are required to obtain a passing score
of 216 or above before taking the USMLE Step 2 CK.

AUC students who have not taken the Clinical COMP exam prior to January 1, 2019 will be
allowed six (6) attempts in total and two (2) attempts per semester to pass this exam. Failure to
pass the Clinical COMP after six (6) attempts will result in an academic dismissal with the right to
appeal.

Remediation

Students who fail the Clinical COMP examination three or more times are required to contact
Clinical Exam Prep (clinicalexamprep@[Link]) to set up a meeting with a Clinical Chair for
counseling and to assist with addressing issues related to the examination and development of
an individualized study plan before reattempting the Clinical COMP examination.

General

Students who take the USMLE Step 2 CK Examination prior to taking and passing the Clinical
COMP will be considered to have violated the Student Honor Code and will be referred to the
Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs for appropriate disciplinary action. Students may
contact the Office of the Registrar with questions about these requirements. Effective July 1, 2022,
the current passing score for the USMLE Step 2 CK is 214 for all examinations occurring on or
after July 1, 2022.

ACCOMMODATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

All requests for student disability accommodations must be submitted to the Office of
Student Disability Services (OSDS). The OSDS is a division of the Office of Equity and
Access (OEA). The OSDS serves undergraduate, graduate, professional and health
sciences students across the globe.

If you are looking to receive services through the Office of Student Disability Services, we want
to support you during this time. To start the process, email the address in the Contact Information
section below. We will provide you with the information to begin the interactive process of
accommodation and may then also request a phone call for questions and introduction. If you
need to speak over Teams, we will provide a link. If you require other accessibility needs to
experience the call, please indicate that in your email.

Contact Information

OSDS Email: aucosds@[Link]

OSDS Phone: 855-229-0848

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OSDS Fax: 630-596-1651

Rights and Responsibilities

Adtalem and its institutions and programs are committed to providing equal access to educational
opportunities for qualified students with disabilities in accordance with government, state, and
local laws as applicable to the student’s program, institution, and location. All accommodations
requested are reviewed on an individual basis to determine what Is reasonable and appropriate.
The student should understand this process is an interactive one that takes time.

Timeframe: Students should apply as early as possible as there may be some situations where a
request for accommodation is made at a point where appropriate arrangements cannot
practicably or reasonably be made. Reviews may take a minimum of 10 business days once
the file is determined complete, and status updates are available in the student’s email.
Accommodations are not applied retroactively.

Students Have the Right to:

• An equitable experience to participate in their program

• An opportunity to learn and receive applicable accommodations, adjustments, aids, and
services
• Confidentiality of records – except where required/permitted by law
• Information available in formats that are accessible for their needs

Students Have the Responsibility for:

• Meeting technical standards with or without accommodations

• Self-identifying when:
o An accommodation is needed
o When a concern arises with accommodation
• Providing documentation from a licensed physician or clinician in a field appropriate to
opine on the disability in question. More specifically, the existence of a disability, how
that disability limits a major life activity, and how it affects participation in the program
and the activity for which you are applying for accommodation
• Following the OSDS published procedures for obtaining services and reasonable
accommodations
• Respectfully interacting with colleagues in all exchanges

Accommodation Request Process

1. Email the OSDS with intent to apply for an accommodation.

2. Indicate first and last name, institution, program, term, any supports required, and
preferred method of contact:
a. Phone
b. Email
c. Teams
d. Other – describe

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3. Obtain and fill out the Student Accommodation Request Form.

4. Gather the information from your physician or clinician applicable to the diagnoses for
which you are applying. If there are multiple diagnoses, there may also be paperwork
required from multiple specialists.

Notes Regarding the Process:

• The OSDS will determine if the request is applicable to the office and its services
o If yes, OSDS will proceed with the interactive process and review.
o If no, OSDS will refer the student to the appropriate supports and services
available.
• If a student is accepted into the accommodation request process with an applicable
request related to a disability, they will proceed, and during the process of
accommodation, the student can expect to get status updates such as:
o Incomplete – The student has not provided enough information for a decision
(detailing what is missing to continue).
o In Review – The file is at a point where the Accommodation Coordinator can
make a decision on the following categories for each of the
requests/recommendations:
 Incomplete
 Resource already available to students
 Approved
 Alternative Accommodation Provided
 Denied
o Approved – Notification letter sent.
o Denied – Notification letter sent and call made for additional assistance if the
student wishes to speak on the phone and continue the process.
o If an Alternative Accommodation is determined – Notification letter sent.
o Incomplete or Resource already available – Email communication sent with
details and resources.

Additional Information and Guidance

For further information regarding FAQs and documentation expectations, please refer to
Adtalem’s Office of Student Disability Services Guide.

If accommodation is required during clinical clerkships, it is the responsibility of the student to

seek appropriate accommodation directly from facilities in which training is undertaken. The
OSDS is available to clinical students, clinical site directors, and administrators if needed to
facilitate those discussions between the student and the site.

Disclaimer: While AUC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualifying

students, AUC cannot guarantee any student will obtain any or similar accommodations from any
clinical facility or the USMLE. It is the responsibility of each student to keep abreast of the USMLE
requirements, as well as corresponding state licensing law for accommodation consideration.
Furthermore, AUC makes no guarantee that facilities outside of its campuses, including but not
limited to housing and other establishments, will provide accommodations for individuals with
disabilities.

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RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
AUC is committed to diversity and nondiscrimination and recognizes that many religious
observances occur on days not designated as AUC holidays. As such, AUC has provided policies
and procedures to accommodate the religious observances of students.

It is the responsibility of each student to file his or her own Religious Accommodation Request in
accordance with the time limits set forth in the Procedures to Request Religious Accommodation
section. Every effort will be made for approval of such requests but there may be denial if the
requested accommodation constitutes an undue hardship for AUC or requires a change in the
medical education program. In a clinical setting, where granting of a religious accommodation on
short notice could impact patient safety, the accommodation may be denied. It is the responsibility
of the student to avoid such situations via advance planning.

Medical Sciences

On the Medical Sciences campus, a student requesting religious accommodation must make a
formal request to the Office of Student Affairs within 4 weeks after matriculating to AUC. If a
student experiences a genuine religious conversion after matriculating to AUC and wishes to
request an accommodation pursuant to the converted religion, he/she should contact the Office
of Student Affairs within the first week of the following semester so that a formal request may be
made.

The student requesting religious accommodation is obligated to cooperate with AUC’s attempts
to accommodate the request. It may be necessary for AUC to request the student to provide
documentation or other authority to support the need for an accommodation. Further, AUC may
need to discuss the nature of the religious belief(s), practice(s) and accommodation with the
religion’s spiritual leader (if applicable) or religious scholars to address the request for a religious
accommodation.

If a student’s religious observance results in an inability to complete required participation, the

inability to participate may be excused on approval of a formal Religious Accommodation Request
by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. A student unable to participate on the day of a
scheduled exam will be expected to take the make-up exam on the normal make-up date for the
course or module.

Clinical Sciences

For students undertaking clerkships, which may include being on call, patient care must always
take precedence. The expectation is that all clinical students will have 100 percent participation
unless they have obtained an excused absence in advance from their attending physician and
Clerkship Director. Clinical students should note that the hospitals, not AUC, have control over
clerkship schedules for clinical training. Therefore, approval of a Religious Accommodation
Request on the Medical Sciences campus will not ensure that accommodations will be granted

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during clinical clerkships.

Similarly, the NBME shelf exams are administered to clinical students by the Prometric center,
which is an independent third-party entity, and the school cannot enforce religious
accommodations on behalf of a third party. The student will have to arrange this via scheduling
examination appointments according to his or her religious needs.

Clerkship Directors may deny a request if there is any concern that the student’s absence would
have a negative impact on patient care, or they may grant a religious accommodation to a student
but ask the student to reschedule or make up any missed clinical time. If a student is experiencing
any difficulties obtaining religious accommodation during a clinical rotation, he or she can contact
the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs for assistance with the process. However, the final
decision rests with the student’s Clerkship Director, not the Student Affairs Dean.

Duration of the Granted Religious Accommodation

In the Medical Sciences, once a religious accommodation request is granted, it will constitute an
excused participation for all recognized holidays for the student’s religion and cover his or her
entire course of enrollment in the Medical Sciences curriculum. Therefore, once a student is
granted religious accommodation, he or she will be scheduled to take make-up exams for all
exams falling on recognized holidays for the specified religion as described below.

In Clinical Sciences, a religious accommodation will apply to the length of a specific rotation at a
clinical site. A new request must be submitted for each clerkship.

Recognized Religious Holidays

As stated on the AUC website and elsewhere in the Course Catalog and Student Handbook, AUC
reserves the right to schedule Medical Sciences classes and exams at any time and on any day
of the week. AUC will endeavor to avoid scheduling exams on certain recognized high holy days:
Christmas, Good Friday, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha. However, this
may not be possible in the event of rescheduling due to tropical storms, hurricanes, or other
occurrences beyond the control of AUC resulting in power or internet outages.

Approval of a Religious Accommodation Request will excuse a student’s participation from

classes and/or exams for observance of religious holidays. Students requesting religious
accommodation for holidays and/or holy days not recognized should specify exactly what
holidays/holy days they observe on the Religious Accommodation Request and be prepared to
demonstrate to the appropriate Dean for Student Affairs as to why they are prevented from
fulfilling the regularly scheduled program of education on that day.

Record Keeping

Materials related to a student’s Religious Accommodation Request, including the written request
for accommodation and any other document or information, will be treated as confidential except

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as necessary to give effect to the accommodation granted.

Time Period to Make-up Exams/Assignments

Granting of religious accommodation constitutes an excused participation. All Medical Sciences

students who are excused from participation must make up exams and will have a choice of the
day following the holiday or during the regularly scheduled make-up date/time indicated on the
master academic calendar. An inability to participate in classes or examinations for religious
reasons does not relieve students of responsibility for any part of the coursework required.
Religious accommodation in the Clinical Sciences curriculum will have to be arranged in advance
at those clinical sites. Clinical sites will make or deny such accommodations according to the
site’s own policies.

For Clinical Sciences students, the Clerkship Director may impose administrative disciplinary
action if the student fails to satisfactorily complete any alternative assignment or make-up
examination. Time limits with respect to taking the NBME exams should be noted carefully as
these will continue to apply whether or not religious accommodation has been granted.

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION APPEAL OF DENIAL

In those cases where a request for a religious accommodation is denied, the student may request
a review by AUC’s Office of Equity and Access at Equity@[Link]. When a request for
religious accommodation was made by the student but denied, the review process shall be
expedited as much as reasonably possible to ensure that a student pursuing a religious
accommodation is not unduly disadvantaged by the passage of time.

ECFMG REGISTRATION
The ECFMG is the agency that registers foreign medical students for the purpose of taking the
USMLE Steps 1–3. Passing USMLE Steps 1–3 is a requirement for licensure in the United States.
To qualify to sit for the USMLE exams, students must be certified by AUC as “officially enrolled”
(with exception of the USMLE Step 3).

On the ECFMG certification form, students must authorize ECFMG to provide examinee-specific
USMLE performance data to AUC, including whether the examinee passed the exam and the
examinee’s numerical scores on the three-digit scale. AUC has an interest in receiving accurate
and timely student performance data for several reasons including accreditation, state approvals
and licensure and curriculum evaluation. Therefore, each student must authorize ECFMG to
deliver his or her examination results to AUC as condition to AUC certifying the student as
“officially enrolled.”

Students who meet ECFMG requirements will be certified to take the USMLE Step 2 CK
examination prior to satisfying the AUC USMLE Step 2 CK Policy. Certification will allow clinical
students an appropriate length of time to select an examination date with the Prometric Test

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Centers.

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RESIDENCY MATCH PREPARATION

OFFICE OF CAREER ADVISEMENT
The Office of Career Advisement (OCA) assists students who are preparing for the residency
match by advising them on the application process and providing necessary documents to match-
related organizations such as the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP), ECFMG and
Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS). The department offers specialized resources
to help students learn about requirements for different specialties and residency programs. OCA
may also assist graduates with physician state licensure, hospital staff privileges, and any official
documentation required from AUC. Finally, OCA assists graduates with physician state licensure.
Please contact oca@[Link] for more information.

PHYSICIAN MATCH ADVISOR PROGRAM

AUC’s Physician Match Advisor (PMA) Program is designed to improve the number of AUC
graduates obtaining residency placement by providing personalized counseling for students
entering the U.S. NRMP. AUC's PMAs are physicians with extensive experience with the NRMP
and many of them are AUC alumnae. Specialties currently represented in the PMA program
include Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, OB/GYN, Neurology,
Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Radiology, General Surgery, Trauma Surgery,
Emergency Medicine, and Anesthesiology. The PMA program also has advisors with expertise in
the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). To enroll in the program, use the following
link ([Link] or locate it on the AUC
website in the Resources/Residency section. AUC students may request to be assigned to a PMA
to discuss the following important topics:
• The MATCH strategy
• Academic performance in medical school and how it relates to specific specialties
• Personal Statement and CV
• Residency interview
• Backup specialty

STUDENT PLACEMENT RESOURCES

AUC graduates awaiting residency placement may take part in Medical/Clinical Sciences
research portfolio or fellowship opportunities based on availability. Medical/Clinical Sciences
research opportunities including supervised experiences in disciplines such as Anatomy,
Molecular & Cellular Biology, Physiology, Microbiology/Immunology, Pathology, Behavioral
Sciences/Clinical Medicine and Public Health may be available. A research section for clinical
students is available in the modules section of the clinical courses on Canvas to aid students on

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types of research, starting research projects, writing and publication resources.

A limited number of fellowship positions are available for the UK Track, St. Maarten campus and
clinical sciences. These fellowship positions will provide recent AUC graduates training and
experience in the following areas: clinical education, clinical research, academic support and Step
1 LOA, clinical teaching, and the transition to clinical medicine among others. Fellows will work
closely with faculty and deans to help mentor and teach students, as well as support their
applications to residency through AUC resources and departments. For more information about
available fellowship positions, please check the Careers section of the AUC website.

OCA assists students who are preparing for residency by advising on the application process and
providing necessary documents to MATCH-related organizations such as the NRMP, ECFMG
and ERAS.

ALUMNI CONTACT NETWORK

Students have the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge about the AUC experience and life
beyond medical school through the alumni contact network. One of our more than 7,000
graduates will contact students to answer their questions about medical school, clinical rotations
in the United States or United Kingdom, residency placement, and becoming a licensed physician.

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PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT POLICY

As members of the AUC community and indicated in the EPAs described previously, all students,
groups of students, and student organizations are expected to exemplify and engage in socially
responsible behavior befitting physicians-in-training, and to model exceptional conduct, character,
and service to others on campus and beyond. When learning of conduct or behavior that may not
meet these standards, community members are expected to take an active role in upholding our
community principles and values by contacting AUC officials; confronting the situation as it occurs;
or speaking directly to the individuals involved.

SCOPE
The Professional Conduct Policy applies to the following situations. AUC reserves the right to
investigate and resolve reports of alleged misconduct in all of these situations:
• Involving students, a group of students, or a student organization
• Occurring from the time of a student’s application for admission through the actual
awarding of a medical degree (even if the conduct is not discovered until after a degree is
awarded), including, but not limited to:
o During the academic year
o Before classes begin or after classes end
o During both Medical and Clinical Sciences
o While on leave from AUC
• Occurring either on or off campus

AUC reserves the right to investigate and resolve any report or incident in which a student is
alleged to violate any of the principles or policies published by the university or local, state, or
federal laws or policies, regardless of the location where the incident occurs. Students are also
expected to follow the policies and procedures of institutions and clinical sites that they may visit,
including during international travel.

AUC visitors and guests are expected to follow all university policies. Student hosts are
accountable for the conduct of their guests and may be subject to disciplinary action as the
responsible party for violations of university policy incurred by their guests.

STUDENT HONOR CODE

I, in order to foster an environment conducive to the exchange of information and ideas, am
expected, as a member of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
community, to conduct myself according to the standards of the medical profession, university
policies, and the laws set forth by the jurisdiction in which I reside. This honor code serves as a
charter by which the university governs itself. I must uphold the virtues of honesty, fairness, and

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self-discipline in all of my affairs and refrain discriminatory behaviors including but not limited to
race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, and religion. Unethical or unprofessional behaviors
will be assessed and will lead to consequences in accordance with university policies. I will sign
and uphold the honor code throughout my enrollment at AUC.

CONDUCT VIOLATIONS
Any student found to have engaged in the following acts of misconduct may be subject to
administrative review. This list is not all-inclusive but includes categories of misconduct as defined
by AUC.
1. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
a. Furnishing false information to any AUC official, faculty member or office
b. Forgery, alteration or misuse of any AUC document, record, or instrument of
identification
c. Computer piracy, including duplication of computer software, copyright
infringement and unauthorized computer entry
2. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings
and/or other AUC activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or other
authorized non-AUC activities.
3. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, and harassment including, but not
limited to, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, coercion and/or other conduct
that threatens or endanger the health or safety of any person, either on or off AUC
premises or at any AUC-sponsored activity.
4. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the AUC or property of a member
of the AUC community or other personal or public property.
5. Gambling on AUC premises, at AUC functions or through the use of AUC’s equipment.
6. Failure to comply with directions of AUC officials or law enforcement officers acting in
performance of their duties. Failure to identify oneself to these persons by producing an
AUC issued ID or other recognized form of ID such as a driver’s license or state issued ID
when requested to do so.
7. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any part of AUC premises, or
unauthorized entry to or use of AUC premises.
8. Unauthorized recording of conversations, telephonic or otherwise. Students may not
record conversations without notifying and obtaining permission of the conversation
participants prior to initiating the recording.
9. Violation of published AUC’s policies, rules or regulations.
10. Violation of federal, state, or local law on AUC premises or at AUC-sponsored or AUC-
supervised activities or other violation of federal, state, or local law which has an adverse

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effect on the AUC community. If a student is charged with an off-campus violation of

federal, state or local law, Administrative Review proceedings may be initiated if the
violation of law holds the potential of an adverse impact on the AUC community. AUC
proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a federal, state,
or local law that is also a violation of the Professional Code of Conduct (for example, if
both violations result from the same factual situation), without regard to the pendency of
civil litigation or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings for violations of the
Professional Code of Conduct may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with or following
civil or criminal proceedings off campus. When a student is charged by federal, state or
local authorities with a violation of law, AUC may or may not, at its discretion, request or
agree to special consideration for that individual because of his/her status as a student. If
the alleged offense is also the subject of proceeding before a judicial body, AUC may
advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Professional Code of Conduct and
of how such matters will be handled internally with the AUC community. AUC will
cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in enforcing criminal law on AUC
property and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for rehabilitation of student
violators. Individual student or faculty members, acting in their personal capacities, remain
free to interact with a governmental representative or law enforcement official as they
deem appropriate.
11. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons or dangerous
materials.
12. Aiding, abetting, or inducing another to commit a violation of the Professional Code of
Conduct.
13. Conduct that is provocative, aggressive or in violation of AUC’s standards for
professional behavior, including but not limited to:
a. Communicating any messages that contain derogatory statements about any
group, race, or ethnicity
b. Communicating any inflammatory statements related to personal, political,
religious, or ethical views
c. Communicating any message that contains aggressive, abusive, or profane
language against members of AUC administration, staff and faculty, students, or
against any other members of the community.

ANTI-HAZING POLICY
AUC prohibits students and other persons associated with any AUC organization from engaging
in any activity that can be described as hazing.

Participation in the activity of “hazing,” defined as any action taken or situation created which,
regardless of intent or consent of the participants: may reasonably produce bodily harm or danger,
mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, fright, humiliation or ridicule, or

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otherwise compromises the dignity of an individual; compels an individual to participate in an

activity that is unlawful and or contrary to AUC’s rules, policies and regulations; will unreasonably
or unusually impair an individual’s academic efforts; and occurs on or off campus. Hazing is further
defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or removes
public or private property, for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or as a
condition for, continued membership in a group or organization. Such activities and/or actions
prohibited include, but are not limited to: tests of endurance; submission of member or prospective
members to potentially dangerous or hazardous circumstances; any activity that by its nature is
so intense that it would cause severe mental anxiety, mental distress, panic, human degradation
or public embarrassment; creation of excessive fatigue or a late work session that interferes with
scholastic activities or deprives persons of the opportunity for sufficient sleep (six hours per day),
decent edible meals and/or access to means of bodily cleanliness; forcing or coercing a person
to consume alcohol or other substances, in any amount; any requirement that compels an
individual to participate in an activity that is illegal, perverse or indecent; and compelling
individuals to engage in sexual behaviors, sexual or racial harassment or slurs or exhibitionism.

Hazing may include any forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or infringe on
the rights of an individual. Any activity as described above upon which initiation or admission into
or affiliation with an AUC organization is directly or indirectly conditional shall be presumed to be
a "forced" activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such an activity notwithstanding.
For each registered student organization, the organization president and faculty sponsor must
sign a statement every semester certifying that they have been informed of and understand this
policy.

Organizations found to have violated this policy shall at a minimum be prohibited from utilizing
AUC facilities for an academic term and at a maximum be required to have the organizational
charter revoked and be permanently removed from the campus. Nothing herein shall preclude
AUC from taking disciplinary action against individual members participating in any activity
considered to be hazing.

APPROPRIATE CONDUCT OF VISITORS

Students will be responsible for the behavior of their invited guests. All members of the AUC
community and authorized visitors are expected to:

• Behave in an appropriate manner and cooperate with all AUC personnel as they carry
out their duties.
• Not engage in behavior that is threatening, dangerous or harmful to self or others, that
disrupts the learning environment, or that damages AUC property.
• Not possess firearms, other weapons, or fireworks while on the AUC campus.
• Not tamper with wiring, fire alarms, etc.

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COMMITMENT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION & NON-HARASSMENT POLICY

Since its inception over 40 years ago, the AUC culture has been one of inclusion, where all people
are treated with kindness and respect, and in which the community acts to uphold the integrity of
the medical profession. This document is designed as a reminder to AUC community members
to think before you speak, send an email, or text, or make a social media post, to ensure that your
interaction reflects the AUC culture and commitment to non-discrimination and non-harassment.

AUC is committed to providing an education conducive to the personal and professional

development of each individual and to maintaining an academic environment free of
discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry,
disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or parental status,
gender, or political affiliation. This list is not exhaustive and is meant to ensure the fair and
unprejudiced treatment of all collective groups of people and all individuals within those groups.
To be clear, AUC is firmly against racial inequity and for social justice; for example, we
wholeheartedly affirm that black lives matter. AUC will not tolerate, condone, or allow
discrimination or harassment, whether engaged in by fellow students, faculty members, or non-
faculty colleagues.

AUC’s detailed Non-Discrimination & Non-Harassment Policy may be found here.

SEX & GENDER-BASED MISCONDUCT RESPONSE & PREVENTION POLICY

AND TITLE IX POLICY
AUC expressly prohibits sex and/or gender-based misconduct, which includes sexual
harassment, sex discrimination, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking,
sexual exploitation, and gender-based harassment. Any acts that meet these policies’ definitions
of sex and/or gender-based misconduct are a violation of AUC’s Policy. AUC is committed to
fostering an environment where any alleged violation of these policies is promptly reported, and
complaints are resolved in a fair and timely manner. Creating a safe environment is the
responsibility of all members of the community. Anyone who believes they are a victim of sex
and/or gender-based misconduct should report the incident as soon as possible to the Sexual
Misconduct Response Coordinator if not in the US and to the Title IX Coordinator if in the US and
seek safety.

For students on the SXM Campus, please refer to the detailed Sex & Gender Based Misconduct
and Prevention Policy found here. For students in the UK Track, please refer to UCLan policies.
For students on clinical rotations, please refer to the detailed Title IX policy found here.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY

AUC maintains a drug-free campus and professional life policy. All medical students must be free
of substances of abuse at all times when enrolled in the program in any location.

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AUC expects its students to maintain an environment that is safe and healthy. The unlawful
possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and/or illegal drugs by students on AUC property or as
a part of a student-sponsored AUC activity are violations of university rules. Possession, use, or
distribution of certain nonprescription drugs, including marijuana, amphetamines, heroin, cocaine,
and nonprescription synthetics; procurement or distribution of alcohol by anyone under 21 years
of age; and provision of alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age are also violations of the law
and of AUC policy. Regardless of any local laws related to the possession and consumption of
marijuana under certain circumstances, AUC prohibits the possession, use, or distribution of
marijuana, including for medical purposes, at any point during enrollment at the University. Thus,
even if possession or use of marijuana would be permitted under local law, it remains prohibited
by AUC.

AUC’s policies and procedures also reflect additional expectations for student conduct based on
our concerns about high-risk drinking behaviors, such as binge drinking and the rapid or
competitive consumption of alcohol, and their many adverse consequences for students’ health
and lives. All students are expected to comply with local laws and AUC rules governing
possessing or serving alcohol. The University holds its students responsible for the consequences
of their decisions to use or distribute illicit drugs or to serve or consume alcohol. Additionally, the
misuse of prescription drugs (sharing, buying, or using in a manner different than prescribed) is a
violation of university policy.

The University expects students to make responsible choices and create safe social
environments. AUC will take serious action, up to and including dismissal from the University, in
any case involving the possession in quantity or the sale or distribution of drugs, or when cases
of drug and alcohol use create a danger to individuals or to the community at large. If a person
was seriously harmed, or could have been seriously harmed, as a result of consuming drugs or
alcohol provided by another person, then AUC may take disciplinary action against the person
who provided the drugs or alcohol, up to and including requirement to withdraw. AUC has adopted
a Help-Seeking Policy, as set forth below.

AUC’s Medical Sciences campuses and clinical rotation sites routinely require students enrolled
in Medical Sciences courses or clinical clerkships to consent to random drug tests. Selection for
drug testing at a Medical Sciences campus is random, and a student may be selected more than
once. Failing or refusing a random drug test may result in disciplinary action, up to and including
immediate dismissal from the medical education program at AUC. Students should be aware that
their matriculation is contingent upon acceptance of any drug screening program whether
universal or random imposed by the school. Violation of this policy does not require AUC to use
the Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy to impose discipline. A student testing positive
for banned substances may be immediately dismissed from the clinical site at the discretion of
the clinical site, usually permanently and without the possibility of negotiation. All such dismissals
result in non-academic leaves.

Any student that is the subject of disciplinary proceedings while enrolled at AUC may be subject

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to an additional background check and drug screening conducted by the school. Submitting a
false or misleading statement on any document, including background information, to AUC will
constitute grounds for dismissal. AUC reserves the right to conduct random drug tests at any time
on any enrolled student.

AUC is required to report all such leaves related to alcohol or substance abuse to the ECFMG
upon the student’s graduation. This can have deleterious effects on ultimate licensure. Students
should be aware that the half-life of marijuana is long, and the drug may be detectable in the body
for as long as two months. This makes the social use of marijuana unacceptable in a medical
student’s career. Students should be aware that recent ingestion of poppy seeds may cause urine
drug testing to be positive for opiates.

HELP-SEEKING POLICY: AUC expects students to abide by the law and AUC policy on the use
of drugs and alcohol. The University is not a sanctuary from the existing laws of the local, city,
state, or federal government, and students must recognize the consequences of their personal
decisions as well as the impact those decisions can have on themselves, others, and the wider
AUC community. However, in cases of active drug or alcohol intoxication, health and safety are
the University’s primary concerns, and this policy is intended to encourage students to seek help.
Students seeking medical treatment for themselves, or another person related to an active
intoxication from drug or alcohol use will not be subject to disciplinary action from AUC for
violations pertaining to the use of drugs or alcohol related to the active intoxication. Sources of
help might include wellness counselors or other medical providers; resident assistants; and AUC
Safety and Security officers. This policy does not provide immunity from disciplinary action relating
to any other conduct violations, including, without limitation, assault, property damage, or the
possession in quantity or the sale or distribution of drugs.

FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PENALTIES FOR DRUG LAW

VIOLATIONS
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) suspends Federal Student Aid eligibility for students who
have been convicted under federal or state law for the sale or possession of drugs, if the offense
occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving federal student aid
(grants, loans, and/or work-study). Any student who has a conviction(s) for these offenses is
advised to call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
or go to [Link] click on "Before Beginning A FAFSA®", then click on "Student
Aid Eligibility Worksheet" to find out how this law applies.

If a student has lost federal student aid eligibility due to a drug conviction, he or she may regain
eligibility by passing two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program that
complies with criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education.

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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
No educational community can thrive if its members counterfeit their achievements or seek to
establish an unfair advantage over their fellow students. AUC’s academic standards are based
on the pursuit of knowledge and assume a high level of integrity in every member of the
community. When this trust is violated, the community suffers injury and must act to ensure that
its standards remain meaningful.

Violations of academic integrity, for the purposes of this policy, are those that permit a student to
gain an unfair advantage over other students. Any purposeful deception in the preparation and/or
submission of papers and assignments and completion of exams, tests or quizzes is considered
cheating, and is a violation of academic integrity and may result in disciplinary action up to and
including dismissal from the university.

Examples of cheating or academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:

• The discussion, distribution, and/or use of any materials that specifically reference past or
current exams
• Sharing AUC exam questions for a course in which an individual is currently enrolled or
has yet to be enrolled. These include, but are not limited to:
o Any document or compilation of previous exam questions
o Notes annotated with previous exam questions
o Coaching reports
o Answers to exam questions
o The use of unapproved electronic devices during an examination (e.g.
phone/tablet)

INTERNET, EMAIL ACCEPTABLE USAGE & OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION

POLICY
Acceptable Usage Policy

This policy establishes operating principles and acceptable use policies as they relate to the
students use of the Internet and the email services provided by AUC. Students are expected to
conduct themselves according to the standards set out in the AUC Honor Code in general and
specifically as set out below.

Responsibility and Respect. The Internet is a network intended for use by users who act in a
mature manner. By accessing AUC’s resources, students are deemed to recognize this principle
and undertake at all times to act with respect, courtesy and responsibility, giving due regard to
the interests and rights of other Internet user groups. This general guideline carries with it the

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following specific responsibilities:

Improper Uses. The student will avoid violation of certain generally accepted guidelines on
Internet usage such as restrictions on mass mailings and mass advertisements, pirating or
copying of software, mail bombing or other methods of attempting to deny service or access to
other users and attempts to violate security.

Compliance with Laws. The student will ensure that his or her use of the Internet complies with
all applicable federal, state and local law and regulation, including but not limited to those
principles of law which protect against compromise of copyrights, trade secrets, proprietary
information and other intellectual property rights, libel or defamation of character, invasion of
privacy, tortious interference and export of technical or military data to prohibited countries.

Validation of Information. The student is responsible for validating the integrity of the information
and data s/he receives or transmits over the Internet.

Security. The student is required to protect the security of his or her Internet account and usage.
The student's password should be treated as private and confidential and not disclosed to or
shared with any third parties.

Discretion and Judgment. The student is expected to use discretion in the treatment and
handling of Internet information and data and to take particular care to ensure that adult
information is not transmitted to juvenile users of the Internet.

Pornography. AUC adheres to U.S. laws and regulations regarding adult-related material of any
nature. Students must not publish pornography using AUC’s email account.

Net abuse, including but not limited to activities such as using a nonexistent email return address
on a commercial solicitation, spamming (sending unsolicited advertising to numerous email
addresses or newsgroups and/or generating a significantly higher volume of outgoing email than
a normal user), allowing spamming by third parties to promote a web site hosted by AUC, trolling
(posting outrageous messages to generate numerous responses), mail bombing (sending
multiple messages without significant new content to the same user), subscribing someone else
to a mailing list without that person's permission, cross-posting articles to an excessive number
of newsgroups or attempting without authorization to enter into a secured computer system. AUC
reserves the right to determine what constitutes net abuse.

Excessive CPU Usages. Students using excessive amounts of CPU processing on any of AUC’s
servers may have their account suspended on a temporary or permanent basis, at the discretion
of AUC.

Repeated offenders, having been warned of unacceptable email service usage, may be subject
to disciplinary proceedings in accordance with AUC’s Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal
Policy.

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Official Communication

Upon matriculation, each student is assigned an AUC email account. Official electronic
communication from AUC will be delivered to students only via their AUC email account. Students
in medical and clinical sciences are required to use their AUC email account to
communicate with departments, faculty, and administration at AUC.

Students are deemed to have received any email sent by AUC to an AUC email account.
Therefore, it is recommended that students regularly check their AUC email account for
important messages from faculty and administration (at least every 48 hours), and to
ensure that there is adequate room in their account inbox for messages to be received and
that filters are appropriately configured.

Any student wishing to report a problem regarding his or her AUC email account should send a
message to postmaster@[Link] or call the IT department on campus at 1-721-545-2298 or
in Miramar, FL at (305) 446-0600.

ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCE USAGE POLICY

Introduction

Use of AUC electronic information resources is a privilege, not a right. This policy sets out the
responsibilities of students who use the electronic information resources at AUC. These include
the academic and administrative networks, computer systems and labs, online information
resources (whether hosted on or off campus), telecommunications systems and all Internet
resources accessed through AUC systems – including network bandwidth.

The electronic information systems at AUC are provided for the purposes of instruction, research,
personal development and administration. This policy informs students of AUC’s expectations
and their responsibilities. This policy applies to all users of AUC system resources, including those
who access these resources from off campus.

Academic Purpose

AUC seeks to provide an environment in which academic usage of electronic information and
resources has the first priority and in which there is respect for freedom of inquiry and expression;
appropriate privacy and confidentiality; freedom from sexual harassment and protection of
intellectual property. In particular, the same standards and principles of intellectual and academic
freedom already supported by AUC in other areas extend to material received through the
network. This extends also to publication: the same standards of intellectual and academic
freedom developed for faculty and student publication in traditional media are applicable to
publication in electronic media. These standards are set out in AUC’s Intellectual Property Policy.
In addition, respect for law and fairness are crucial elements of this environment.

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Responsibilities

Students are expected to abide by the policies of AUC, whose existence makes the use of these
electronic information resources available. Every student is also expected to be considerate of
other users, including faculty and staff. Examples of infringements of these principles may include,
but are not limited to the following:

• Using the AUC electronic information resources for unauthorized, illegal or criminal
purposes. For clarification, visiting pornographic websites or other URLs that are
inconsistent with the educational objectives of AUC or which pose a risk to the school’s
systems are not an authorized use of the electronic resources.

• Copyright infringement or other violation of law. Unauthorized reproduction of copyright

material is prohibited and constitutes infringement that carries the risk of civil and criminal
liability to both AUC and the student, as set out in Title 17 United States Code Chapter 5:
[Link] This includes unauthorized electronic
distribution of copyrighted material such as textbooks or study guides.

• Plagiarism. Students who engage in plagiarism will be subject to academic dismissal.

• Unauthorized use of electronic information resources for commercial enterprises.
• Substantially and willfully interfering with another person’s authorized use.

Compromising or attempting to compromise privacy or confidentiality, particularly attempts to read

another person’s electronic mail or other protected files will be treated as a serious violation of
these policies.

Modifying or attempting to modify system assets or facilities without authorization, including

software or hardware installation. This includes the use of the AUC system as a staging ground
to crack other systems.

Obstructing other users' work or access by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system
resource (e.g., network bandwidth or printers). This includes, but is not limited to, downloading
large files for non-academic purposes, peer-to-peer networking, game playing or other
monopolizing of the electronic information resources for entertainment or personal use.

Accessing accounts and passwords without authorization or allowing unauthorized persons to

access the user’s authorized account.

Individuals using AUC electronic information resources or systems will be held responsible for
their own actions and will be subject to applicable laws and AUC policies.

Privacy and Security

Normal operation and maintenance of the systems requires backup and caching of data and
communications, the logging of activity and the monitoring of general usage patterns. In particular,

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students should be aware that any AUC electronic information resources that they are given
access to, including computers located in the computer labs, are not intended as a private
resource. Therefore, any personal use of these resources should be undertaken with that
understanding.

In all matters relating to privacy and security of individual accounts and communications, along
with requests for release of information, AUC electronic information resource / computer system
users are required to abide by applicable laws and AUC policies, which allow for examination or
disclosure of those records in response to requests through a proper subpoena or court order,
police, and/or administrative agencies and in response to AUC investigations.

Due Process: Complaints and Sanctions

Violations of the policy stated here are treated like any other AUC policy violation and are
governed by the same procedures. Notification of possible violations may be made to the campus
Information Technology Services (“ITS”) Help Desk at telephone extension 259 or to
abuse@[Link].

System administrators are authorized to immediately take actions such as locking accounts when
investigating or when the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff or property is at risk. The
means of investigating may include, but not be limited to, monitoring traffic and files, including the
contents thereof.

Sanctions for violating this policy can include all regular sanctions (admonition, warning,
reprimand, suspension, dismissal, etc.). In addition, it can include loss of electronic information
resource / computer systems access.

Open Access

AUC is committed to allowing access to all electronic information resources to all members of its
community, free of restrictions such as age or residency status.

Evolving Policy

AUC’s ITS policies are designed to reflect current conditions. As information technology continues
to develop and conditions change, we will review our policies accordingly. All students will be held
accountable for complying with policies notified to them from time to time.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Students can play an integral role in AUC’s social media outreach. We encourage students to join
our groups, participate in conversations, and share positive experiences with others. It is
important to remember that AUC students have certain responsibilities when posting on social
networks, even if they are personal and private. We have assembled these guidelines to help
students use social media effectively, protect their personal and professional reputation and follow

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the policies of AUC and its parent company, Adtalem Global Education. AUC’s intent for having
a presence in social media is to facilitate connections between its audiences and to enable rapid
response messaging in these emerging platforms. AUC retains the sole right to approve and
publish all web pages and social media pages containing information about its educational
programs, services and activities on its behalf, as well as that of the student body, recognized
student organizations and alumni.

Student Web Pages

Students must adhere to the Professional Code of Conduct when they engage in social media
and mention AUC. What applies as appropriate conduct on campus also applies to conduct on
social media platforms and violations of professional conduct on social media may result in
disciplinary action.

Student Responsibilities

It is important that all students understand their responsibilities when using social media. Students
can have no reasonable expectation of privacy in material that they choose to place online or
enter or send through resources provided by AUC. Students must recognize that they are
responsible for anything they write or present online, and that they may be subject to legal or
Administrative Review proceedings by AUC and/or others (including other students, colleagues
and third parties) based on what they write or present online. Responsible behavior is expected
of all AUC students when they participate in or take part in social media or blogging. Students’
communications, regardless of format, must conform to the Professional Code of Conduct. It is
not the goal of AUC actively monitor all student communications; however, should the university
become aware of inappropriate behavior that may violate the Professional Code of Conduct, the
behavior may be investigated and addressed per AUC’s Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal
Policy.

General Rules of Social Media Engagement:

Be Judicious. Always use best judgment and make sure efforts are transparent.

Think before posting. Students should keep in mind that what is written and posted in electronic
formats on the Internet, instant messaging, email or social networks is easily accessible to all and
will be in existence virtually forever.

Protect yourself. Personal information can be shared over the Internet with more people and at
a faster rate than ever before; accordingly, be careful about what is shared.

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SOCIAL MEDIA FOR STUDENTS IN A CLINICAL SETTING

Medical students in a clinical setting have an ethical and legal obligation to maintain patient
privacy and confidentiality at all times. The following requirements are intended to minimize the
risks of using social media:

• Students are strictly prohibited from transmitting by way of any electronic media any
patient-related image information that may be reasonably anticipated to violate patient
rights to confidentiality or privacy, or otherwise degrade or embarrass the patient. Limiting
access to postings through privacy settings is not sufficient to ensure privacy.
• Students must not refer to patients in a disparaging manner, even if the patient is not
identified.
• Students must not take photos or videos of patients on personal devices, including cell
phones. Students should follow the clinical agency’s policy for taking photographs or
videos of patients for treatment or other legitimate purposes using devices provided by the
clinical agency.
• Students must maintain professional boundaries in the use of electronic media. As with
in-person relationships, the student has an obligation to establish, communicate and
enforce professional boundaries with patients in the online environment. Use caution when
having online social contact with patients or former patients. Online contact with patients
or former patients blurs the distinction between a professional and personal relationship.
The fact that a patient may initiate contact with the student does not permit the student to
engage in a personal relationship with the patient.
• Students must promptly report any identified breach of confidentiality or privacy.
• Students must not post content or otherwise speak on behalf of the clinical site unless
authorized to do so and must follow all applicable policies of the clinical site.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions or terminations pursuant to AUC’s
Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy.

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NON-ACADEMIC PROBATION, SUSPENSION, AND DISMISSAL

CRITERIA
Any student who exhibits personal characteristics or behavior that is inappropriate for one seeking
to become a physician shall be subject to probation, suspension or dismissal regardless of
academic performance. AUC may summarily remove a student from his or her course or clinical
rotation and all future courses or clinical rotations, until a disposition is rendered through the
formal Administrative Review Process if in the sole discretion of AUC, his or her conduct could be
detrimental, or otherwise poses a risk to, the student, his or her peers or instructors, or the delivery
of patient care. This may involve a process of either non-academic probation or non-academic
suspension depending on the severity of the accusation against the student and/or the observed
behavior of the student. For the avoidance of doubt, AUC reserves the right to dismiss a student
for either academic or non-academic reasons. Students should note that this information
encompasses acts of dishonesty or other failure to comply with the Professional Conduct Policy.

Students should be aware that current criminal background checks are required on an ongoing
basis during the term of their enrollment. If a student’s criminal background changes after s/he
submits to the background check associated with admissions to AUC, but before the student’s
official graduation from AUC, the student is required to bring the change to AUC’s attention.

A student’s criminal background may impact the student’s standing in a number of ways. For
example, a student’s criminal conviction may result in dismissal. Pending charges may prevent a
student from completing the clinical portion of the curriculum. A student may be required to take
a personal leave of absence or withdraw from enrollment until pending criminal charges are
resolved. If the school conducts its own disciplinary proceedings based on student misconduct
underlying or related to the student’s criminal background, the student may be suspended or
dismissed regardless of whether or not a criminal conviction is rendered.

A false or misleading statement made by a student on any document submitted to AUC is grounds
for dismissal. For the avoidance of doubt: verbal threats, intimidation, stalking or harassment may
be grounds for dismissal even if such conduct does not result in bodily harm.

The appropriate Dean renders non-academic dismissals. The procedure for appealing a non-
academic dismissal is dependent on a student’s academic standing at the time of dismissal and
is detailed within the AUC Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy.

Any student that is the subject of disciplinary proceedings while enrolled at AUC may be subject
to an additional background check and drug screening conducted by the school. Submitting a
false or misleading statement on any document, including background information, to AUC will
constitute grounds for dismissal. AUC reserves the right to conduct random drug tests at any time
on any enrolled student.

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STUDENT CONDUCT COMPLAINT AND APPEAL POLICY

The Student Conduct Complaint and Appeal Policy document provides the process for filing an
informal or a formal complaint with AUC administration with regard to student conduct and further
outlines the possible disciplinary actions and opportunities for appeal of the outcome of an
Administrative Review.

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ACADEMIC POLICIES AND

PROCEDURES
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
AUC expects all of its students to have a successful academic career. AUC has invested in and
promotes student success with academic performance policies and procedures to ensure that
students are progressing through the program. Academic performance policies and procedures
ensure that students are notified of any academic deficiencies, together with appropriate
remediation and appeal procedures.

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Sint Maarten-based and clinical sciences students may access class scheduling, lecture materials
and resources on Canvas, the learning management system. UK Track students use Blackboard
as their learning management system.

ATTENDANCE
Medical Sciences Course Participation Policy (Semesters 1-5)

As an institution (unrelated to the Covid-19 pandemic), AUC does not provide remote or distance
learning. Under normal circumstances, at the start of each semester, all enrolled students must
check in on campus in person before the AWOL (absent without official leave) date provided.

During the semester, AUC reserves the right to schedule lectures, laboratory sessions,
conferences, and examinations on campus at any time and on any day of the week during the
entire semester including holidays and weekends. Students are expected to attend all scheduled
lectures, conferences, and laboratories.

At the end of each semester, students are expected to remain on campus until after the
completion of final examinations. Students are discouraged from making plans to leave the
Medical Sciences campus before the designated end of the semester. If an exam must be
postponed or rescheduled by AUC for any reason, a student’s prior travel plans will not be
considered a sufficient reason to miss the exam. Students are responsible for knowing their
academic status at the end of each semester. Likewise, students are expected to be on-campus
in Sint Maarten and Preston by the first day of every semester. Anyone who may be delayed in
their return must request an excused absence.

Absences from Medical Sciences Campuses

Medicine is an intensive program of study in which student engagement is mandatory. Absences

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have the potential to negatively impact on student success. Excused absences are granted by
AUC for compelling circumstances beyond the student’s control. Excused absences do not
excuse / relieve / discharge the student from learning the course material or submitting work by
deadlines in order to fulfill the course requirements. Unexcused absences are those without
adequate reason or justification.

AUC shall excuse a student from required activities, including examinations, for the observance
of a religious holiday, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under
this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and will be notified of the revised date of
the examination or alternative assignment designated by the instructor. Students may be
penalized if they fail to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination within the revised
deadline. In Sint Maarten, questions about religious holidays should be directed to the Office of
Student Affairs and requests for Religious Accommodations may be requested by completing this
form no fewer than ten days prior to the holiday. The form should be uploaded here.

Notification of Absences from Mandatory Activities

Unless otherwise stated in this rule, to be considered for an excused absence the Sint Maarten
student must submit an excused absence request to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs prior
to the excused absence. Likewise, UK Track students must submit an excused absence request
prior to the excused absence to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UK Track. The form
should be uploaded here. In cases where advanced notification is not possible, the student must
provide notification by the end of the second day (48 hours) after the first date of the absence.
This notification must include an explanation of why prior notice could not be sent.

Absence Documentation and Verification

The student is responsible for providing appropriate documentation substantiating the reason for
the absence. This documentation must be provided within two business days of the first date of
the absence, unless otherwise stated. Students who furnish false information may be found in
violation of the Student Professional Code of Conduct. An absence for a non-acute medical
service may not constitute an excused absence. A non-acute medical service is an elective or
routine procedure (e.g., elective surgery or non-acute wellness check-up). Non-acute medical
services should be scheduled on a date that does not coincide with a mandatory activity (e.g.,
exam, comprehensive exam or other major mandatory activity). Excused absences for non-acute
medical services may not be approved for a make-up or alternative assignment.

Absence documentation may include, but is not limited to, the following:
• A medical confirmation note from the student’s medical provider: The medical provider
can provide a medical confirmation note only if medical professionals are involved in the
medical care of the student. The medical confirmation note must contain the date and time
of the medical assessment and the date at which the student may return to classes as well
as the signature and contact information for the provider.
• A medical confirmation note from the medical provider involved in the care of the student’s
immediate family member or dependent: The medical provider can provide a medical

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confirmation note only if medical professionals are involved in the medical care of the
immediate family member or dependent.
• Death notice, obituary, or death certificate for a student’s immediate family member
• Documentation regarding the scheduling of legal or governmental proceedings that
require a student’s presence that cannot be rescheduled (e.g., naturalization and
citizenship meetings)
• Documentation regarding the scheduling of mandatory interviews: Documentation must
be provided five business days in advance.
• Documentation regarding the scheduling of presentations of research or scholarship:
Documentation for professional conference presentations must include confirmation of the
student’s role as a presenter. Documentation must be provided five business days in
advance.

Excused Absences Defined including but not limited to:

• Personal injury or illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend an exam
or mandatory activity, including a hospital stay for medical treatment that prevents the
student returning to campus
• Death or major illness in a student’s immediate family. Immediate family may include:
parents, siblings, grandparents, spouse, child, spouse’s child, spouse’s parents, spouse’s
grandparents, step-parents, step-siblings, step-grandparents, grandchild, step-
grandchild, legal guardian, and others as deemed appropriate by the Assistant Dean for
Student Affairs or designee.
• Serious illness of a dependent or immediate family member
• Participation in legal or governmental proceedings that require a student’s presence and
that cannot be rescheduled
• Presentation of research or scholarship at a professional conference related to the
student’s academic program; student representation for AUC provided that the student is
a presenter

Make-Up Work
If a student’s absence is excused, the instructor typically will provide the student an opportunity
to make up any mandatory activity including quizzes, exams, or other work that contributes to the
final grade or provide a satisfactory alternative. If an instructor has a regularly scheduled make-
up exam, students are expected to attend unless they have an excused absence. Students should
work with instructors to complete make-up work in advance of known scheduled absences
(interviews, administrative proceedings, etc.). Practical examinations such as OSCEs will be
scheduled at the next scheduled OSCE date.

Unexcused absences are considered unprofessional behavior. The instructor is under no

obligation to provide make-up work because of an unexcused absence. Students with an
unexcused absence will score a grade of zero (0) for the coursework or examinations missed.

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Extended Absences
If the student is absent for excused reasons for a length of time greater than 15 calendar days,
the Assistant Dean, Student Affairs (Sint Maarten), Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UK
Track or designee may grant the student a Leave of Absence. A student who is or will be out for
greater than 15 calendar days should request a Leave of Absence using the Leave of Absence
from Medical Sciences form.

Whenever a student is absent for unknown reasons for an extended period, the instructor may
initiate a check on the welfare of the student by reporting to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
or designee.

Students with too many / excessive absences who are deemed unlikely to meet the course
requirements and learning outcomes may be required to drop a course, withdraw, or retake a
course at a later date.

AUC Clinical Sciences Participation Policy (Semesters 6-10)

Students engaging in clinical rotations are expected to maintain 100 percent participation and
must abide by the holiday and/or time off policy set by the rotation site. Failure to participate in
a clinical rotation may result in a failing grade. If a student wishes to request personal time off
including time off for residency interviews, he or she must seek approval from the attending
physician, clerkship director, and the relevant AUC clinical dean. Unexcused absences can
negatively affect the student’s evaluation of performance during rotations resulting in either a
lowered evaluation grade or expulsion from the rotation site. An Absence Request Form may be
downloaded online from the AUC website.

Students seeking observance of a religious holiday are required to review and comply with the
requirements set by the rotation site.

Any missed time must be made up at the Clerkship Director’s discretion. Students are required to
arrange make-up time for any absences directly with their attending physician(s).

Conferences

Acceptance of a student’s work for presentation at an academic conference does not result in
automatic approval of time off from a clinical rotation. As soon as they are aware that their work
has been accepted (which is typically months to weeks in advance of the academic event),
students should seek permission to be absent from their clinical responsibilities from their
Clerkship and/or Site Director by completion of the Absence Request Form. The student will then
submit this form to the Office of the Registrar. Missed sessions must be made up at the Clerkship
Director’s discretion.

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MEDICAL SCIENCES ACADEMIC SUPPORT BOARD (MSAS)

The MSAS Board measures the academic progress of students during Medical Sciences. It
functions to recommend a range of supports to invest in the academic success of AUC students.
The MSAS Board is chaired by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and members include the
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director of Academic Support, and five Medical Sciences
faculty members. The board will contact and recommend and/or mandate remediation to those
students deemed to be falling below expected academic standards. Students are expected to
follow these recommendations.

STUDENT ACADEMIC STATUS CLASSIFICATION

AUC recognizes the following academic status classifications:

GS = Good Standing
AP = Academic Probation
NP = Non-Academic Probation
AW = Academic Warning
SP = Suspended
AD = Academic Dismissal
RA = Readmitted after Appeal
ND = Non-Academic Dismissal
SF = SAP/FA Probation/Readmit after appeal
SD = SAP/FA Dismissal
MT = Exceeds Max Time Frame
AA= Academic Probation/Readmit after appeal
WNS= Withdrawn No Show

UNDERSTANDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE STATUS

During the process of reviewing academic performance, any student that triggers an
unsatisfactory academic performance status will be notified of their status and progress
throughout the process via email. Please note that with the exception of Academic Warning, all
of the following end of semester statuses are permanent and will be reflected on the student’s
official transcript.

Academic Warning (AW) = Student triggers academic warning criteria.

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Readmit after appeal (RA) = Medical Sciences student triggered academic dismissal criteria
and has successfully appealed for reinstatement into AUC. *

Academic Probation/Readmit after appeal (AA) = Clinical Sciences student triggered

academic dismissal criteria and has successfully appealed for reinstatement into AUC. *

Academic Dismissal (AD) = Student triggers academic dismissal criteria; student fails to meet
academic plan and/or terms of an appeal, student fails to remediate and/or appeal tentative
Academic dismissal standing.

*Student is placed on academic plan/given appeal terms in order to remain enrolled in AUC.
Academic performance is reviewed throughout the duration of the portion of the program.

ACADEMIC STATUS CRITERIA

Failure to meet academic performance standards during or at the close of a semester will result
in students triggering criteria for either Academic Warning (AW) or Academic Dismissal
(AD). Students triggering criteria for AW and/or AD will have their status reported to the
appropriate parties for notification and/or remediation purposes as needed. Upon triggering AW,
students will have their performance monitored throughout the semester and at the close of the
semester in which the warning was triggered. Should a student trigger an AD, he or she may
appeal the dismissal. Upon a successful appeal the student will be placed on the applicable
probationary status of RA or AA, during which the student’s performance will once again be
monitored throughout the semester. If a student does not meet the terms of this probationary plan
or appeal terms, he/she will be permanently dismissed from AUC without a right to appeal.

If, after reviewing a student’s academic progression, AUC determines that a student cannot
complete the relevant curriculum of the medical education program within the seven academic
years, then he or she will no longer be eligible for FA and will be dismissed from AUC without
right of appeal.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP)

All AUC students must meet AUC’s policies on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), as set out
below. SAP represents an acceptable level of performance in meeting degree requirements within
specified time periods. It is used in both academic evaluation and in the determination of financial
aid eligibility. SAP is outlined by Federal guidelines [34 CFR 668.34] which specifies the minimum
academic progress required of a student to avoid termination of funding provided by Federal and
state governments. These guidelines also relate to programs funded by the Institution, as
determined by AUC.

SAP indicates that a student has met academic requirements to an acceptable level within a
specified time period. A student’s SAP standing is important during academic evaluation and
determination of eligibility for financial aid. Students who do not meet SAP requirements are

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subject to dismissal and/or loss of Title IV funding.

The medical education program is divided into increments of academic years to evaluate students’
academic progress. An academic year comprises two semesters of 16 weeks. Therefore, the
AUC Medical Sciences curriculum encompasses one and one-half academic years in a calendar
year. Each student's academic progress is evaluated at the end of each completed academic
year during the medical sciences and clinical sciences curricula. SAP evaluation will also occur
on an every semester basis if a student has failed to meet SAP in the previous academic year.
This evaluation involves two metrics—one quantitative and one qualitative.

The quantitative measure evaluates a student’s pace of progression through the medical
education program within the maximum time frame. The pace of progression is calculated by
dividing the cumulative course credits or clerkships weeks that the student has successfully
completed by the cumulative course credits or clerkship weeks that the student has
attempted. The pace of progression calculation will include credits for all courses attempted,
except for those that have been dropped during the add/drop period. Courses with a grade “W”
in which a student was enrolled prior to the granting of a Short-Term Leave for a period of greater
than 15 days, as well as courses containing a grade of “I” will count in the pace of progression
metrics, and will be included as attempted, but unearned.

Transfer course credits accepted by AUC toward a student’s completion of the Medical Sciences
curriculum of the program will count as both credits attempted and credits completed when
computing the pace of progression. The number of course credits accepted will determine the
number of semesters of enrollment that the student will be deemed to have completed with
reference to the maximum time frame. (For clarification: 1-15 credit hours will count as 1 semester
of enrollment; 16-30 credit hours will count as 2 semesters of enrollment; 31-45 credit hours will
count as 3 semesters of enrollment, etc.).

The qualitative measure evaluates the student’s GPA (medical) or the cumulative average
of clerkship grades (clinical). Course credits are not guaranteed to transfer to other schools.
Acceptance of credits is subject to the receiving institution’s requirements. Grades of “W” or “I” do
not factor into the qualitative measure.

DEMONSTRATION OF SAP
All students must comply with the following three components of SAP:

Cumulative Grade Point Average (Medical Sciences) or Cumulative Average of Clerkship

Grades (Clinical Sciences)

• Students must maintain a 70.0% cumulative grade point average throughout the duration
of the Medical Sciences curriculum of the program.
• Students must maintain a cumulative “Passing” clerkship grade throughout the duration
of the Clinical Sciences curriculum of the program.

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Pace of Progression

• Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted credits accumulated
throughout the medical sciences and clinical sciences curriculum.
• Successful attempt in the Medical Sciences curriculum is considered passing with a
grade of 70% or higher.
• Successful attempt in the Clinical Sciences curriculum is considered passing with a
“Pass” or higher.

Maximum Time Frame

The maximum time frame for completion of the entire medical education program is comprised of
15 semesters of enrollment.

UNDERSTANDING SAP STATUSES

SAP represents an acceptable level of performance in meeting degree requirements within
specified time periods. It is used in both academic evaluation and in the determination of Financial
Aid (FA) eligibility. Students maintain SAP by meeting the requirements listed under the
Promotions Policies. Please note that the following end-of-semester statuses are permanent and
will be reflected on the student’s official transcript.

Good Standing

• Student maintains good standing by displaying SAP, complying with all other academic
rules and regulations, and by remaining current with financial obligations.

SAP/FA Probation/Readmit after Appeal

• Students not meeting SAP standards are subject to dismissal. A student may appeal this
decision and be eligible for a reinstatement contingent to appeal approval.1

SAP/FA Dismissal

• Student fails to meet academic plan, terms of an appeal, remediate and/or appeal SAP
dismissal standing, cannot meet SAP requirements due USMLE testing prohibition, or fails
to meet SAP a second time after being placed back into good standing.

1
Student is placed on an academic plan based on an approved appeal in order to remain enrolled in
AUC. SAP calculations occur every academic year or according to the terms of the academic plan until
successfully meeting the terms of the academic plan or SAP is regained. SAP evaluation will also occur on
a semester basis if a student has failed to meet SAP in the previous academic year.

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SAP PROGRESSION
Failure to meet SAP standards may result in loss of financial aid (FA) if applicable. If the result of
the SAP evaluation indicates that a student has not met either one of the qualitative or quantitative
measures or is not meeting the terms of the academic plan, the student will be notified in writing
that s/he is no longer eligible for federal FA and is subject to dismissal from AUC. A student
receiving such notification may grieve the determination and request reinstatement on SAP/FA
probation based on the guidelines of the academic plan completed.

Students in the organ systems-based curriculum who fail a module and then also fail the
associated LEC must remediate LEC prior to returning to the original module, which will delay the
pace of progression by an entire semester.

ACADEMIC WARNING
Students will trigger an academic warning (AW) status based on the criteria below. Students
triggering an AW status will have their status reported to the appropriate parties for notification
and/or remediation purposes as needed. Upon triggering an AW, the student’s performance will
be monitored throughout the semester and reviewed in full at the end of the semester and
remedial interventions may be mandated. AW status is not reported on student’s transcript.

Medical Sciences

• Students who have failed 10 or more credit hours in the Medical Sciences curriculum, in
either the discipline-based separate courses or the organ systems-based integrated
modules.
• Failure of the 20-credit Molecules to Medicine module in Semester 1 of the Medical
Sciences organ systems-based curriculum (modules).
• Failure of 15 credit hours including 1 module and its Learning Enhancement Course (a
10-credit module and a 5-credit LEC) in Semesters 2 – 5 of the Medical Sciences organ
systems-based curriculum (modules).
• Failure of USMLE Step 1 exam on the first attempt.

Clinical Sciences

• Failure of one core clinical clerkship or elective rotation.

• Failure of 2 NBME clinical subject exams in the same or different specialties.
• Failure of USMLE Step 2 CK on the first attempt.

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ACADEMIC DISMISSAL
Students will trigger an academic dismissal based on the criteria below. Students triggering an
academic dismissal will have their status reported on their transcript and to all appropriate parties
for notification and/or appeal purposes as needed. Upon triggering academic dismissal, students
may appeal their dismissal if applicable. Upon a successful appeal, the student’s performance
will be monitored throughout the subsequent semester and reviewed in full at the end of the
semester.

Medical Sciences

• Failure of 17 or more credit hours in the Medical Sciences discipline-based curriculum

(courses) or 30 or more credit hours in the Medical Sciences organ systems-based
curriculum (modules).
• A second failure of the 20-credit Molecules to Medicine module in the Medical Sciences
organ systems-based curriculum (modules).
• Failure of two different 10-credit modules in the Medical Sciences organ systems-based
curriculum (modules) in Semesters 2-5.
• Students who fail the same course or module for the second time. This includes students
who fail a course or module for the first time and upon subsequent enrollment in the next
semester are unable to pass the repeated course or module for any reason, including
but not limited to, an approved voluntary leave of absence.
• Failure to report the USMLE Step 1 score by the first day of the subsequent semester
without an approved extension.
• Students who do not sit for the USMLE Step 1 exam after two consecutive leaves of
absence.
• Students who do not pass the USMLE Step 1 exam after three consecutive leaves of
absence.
• Failure of the USMLE Step 1 exam on the third attempt.
• Failure to meet the terms of an appeal or academic plan.
• A student who has been dismissed and reinstated by the Medical Sciences Appeal
Committee during the Medical Sciences curriculum will be dismissed without the right to
appeal should they fail any other course or meet any of the dismissal criteria outlined
above. No student can appeal to the Medical Sciences Appeal Committee more
than once.

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Clinical Sciences

• Failure of two or more core clinical clerkships or elective rotations;

• A fifth failure on an NBME Clinical Subject Examination in the same specialty;

• A sixth failure on the Clinical COMP.

• A fourth failure on the USMLE Step 2 CK Examination. AUC students should be aware
that multiple attempts on any USMLE examination may have long-term consequences
with respect to eligibility for licensure in certain states as many state medical licensing
authorities limit the number of attempts allowed to pass each USMLE Step Examination.

• Any student who has completed all their course work but who is delayed by the USMLE
for registering for the Step Exam for more than 6 months from their previous exam date
will be dismissed. These students must re-apply to AUC and be reinstated by AUC’s
Admissions Committee before registering and sitting for the exam(s).
• Failure to meet the terms of an appeal or academic plan.
• Any student who does not graduate within 7 calendar years of matriculating.

APPEAL PROCESS
Students who do not meet SAP or trigger an AW or AD will be notified of their SAP and/or
academic standing and what steps are needed in order to remediate and/or appeal (if
applicable). Student notification will occur via official AUC email account and will have applicable
documentation attached in order to process their remediation and/or appeal. The information
below provides students with a synopsis of the remediation and appeal process.

• Students making an appeal must submit a request to the applicable Associate Dean for
Academic Affairs on why s/he failed to make SAP and what has changed that will allow
him or her to demonstrate SAP at the next evaluation.
• If the student appeals an adverse SAP determination or is reinstated, the university
ensures that the student should be able to make satisfactory academic progress during
the subsequent term(s) of enrollment and meet the university’s SAP standards at the end
of the specified term. Then the university and the student jointly develop an academic plan
for the student to follow and meet the university’s SAP standards by a specific point in
time. Eligibility to appeal the dismissal depends on the student’s academic status and
ability to complete the curriculum within the maximum time frame (see Maximum Time
Frame section).
• A student whose appeal is approved and is reinstated on SAP/FA probation may receive
federal FA for an additional term of enrollment or as stated on the academic plan. While a

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student is on SAP/FA probation, AUC will require the student to fulfill specific terms and
conditions in accordance with the academic plan.
• At the end of the one term of enrollment while on AP or FA probation, in order to remain
enrolled at AUC and qualify for future federal FA funds, the student must meet AUC’s SAP
standards OR must meet the requirements of the academic plan developed by AUC.
• A student on SAP/FA probation may still be dismissed if s/he fulfills the criteria for
academic dismissal (see Academic Dismissal section). If, after reviewing a student’s Pace
of Progression, AUC determines that a student cannot complete the relevant curriculum
of the medical education program within the Maximum Time Frame, then he or she will no
longer be eligible for FA and will be dismissed from AUC without right of appeal.

Medical Sciences

Students that fail to meet SAP for the first time at the end of a given academic year will be asked
to contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students that trigger an academic dismissal
and wish to appeal (if eligible) or fail to meet the terms of an academic plan must appeal to the
Appeal Committee (details are provided by the office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs).
The Appeal Committee meets at the beginning of each semester and each new module.

If a student fails to meet SAP for the first time at the end of a given academic year:

• Student is placed on SAP/FA probation:

o A successful appeal is required to receive federal Title IV aid under SAP/FA
probation status
o End-of-semester status updated to SAP/FA probation
o Student must appeal and complete an academic plan
o Academic plan must state timeframe needed to meet SAP
o Student regains FA eligibility
• Student must remediate with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to collaboratively
determine an academic plan.
• Student’s SAP is reviewed at the end of the semester or by the timeframe stated on the
academic plan.
• Student meets requirements of SAP and the academic plan:
o End-of-semester status is updated to good standing.
• Student fails to meet SAP but meets the requirements of the academic plan:
o Status remains SAP/FA Probation; and
o Academic plan is reviewed for continuation of FA eligibility.

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• Student fails to meet the academic plan within max timeframe:

o End-of-semester status updated to SAP/FA Dismissal:
o Student is dismissed from AUC pending appeal to the Appeal Committee
• End of semester status is updated to SAP/FA Probation/Readmit after appeal;
• Student must meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to collaboratively
determine the academic plan/appeal terms: and
• Student will forfeit FA eligibility until SAP status is regained.
• If the student is not eligible for an appeal hearing:
o End-of-semester status is permanently placed in SAP/FA dismissal.
• Student that fails to appeal within the given timeframe will be permanently dismissed from
AUC.

SYNCHRONIZATION PLAN

For Discipline-Based Medical Sciences Separate Courses

Students who fail or drop one or more courses will need longer than the usual five semesters to
complete AUC’s medical sciences program and are at risk of not reaching their academic
potential. A student is considered “off track” if they are taking courses in more than one semester
of the program. A student is considered “on track” if they are taking courses in only one semester,
either because they have gone through the usual progression of courses or they have slowed
down and then gotten back “on track.”

The Student Synchronization Plan was developed for students matriculating in the January 2020
semester or later to decelerate their academic program while providing them with the academic
support via a Learning Enhancement Course to improve their study strategies.

The pathway through the plan depends on the number of semesters in which a student fails
courses.

• Failures in a single semester.

o Students failing two or more major courses (or failing one major course and
dropping another) in a semester are considered to be at serious academic risk.
These students are placed on a full academic stop, meaning they will not be
allowed to enroll in any courses in subsequent semesters until they successfully
complete all of the requirements of the current one. Instead, these students will
repeat the failed/dropped courses and complete a Learning Enhancement Course
(LEC) before advancing to the next semester.
o Students failing (or dropping) one major course will be placed on an academic

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slow-down. They take the failed (or dropped) course over, the LEC, and one 5-
credit hour course from the next semester.
 If successful, they complete the remaining courses in the upper semester,
including the ICM course, in the following semester.
 Students are eligible to participate in semester integrated activities (e.g.,
simulation activities, activities involving two or more semester courses) only
when they have completed or are enrolled in all of the participating courses.
For graded integrated activities, off track students will be given an alternate
assignment.
o After successfully completing two semesters at a decelerated pace, these students
are then back on track and expected to enroll in a full course load in the next
semester.
o These students will require at least 6 semesters to complete medical sciences.

• Failures in two different semesters.

o Students failing (or dropping) two courses in a second semester that have not
reached the 17 credit hour criteria for dismissal will be placed on a full academic
stop, meaning they will not be allowed to enroll in any courses in subsequent
semesters until they successfully complete all of the requirements of the current
one. These students will repeat the failed courses and complete a Learning
Enhancement Course (LEC) before advancing to the next semester.
o Students failing (or dropping) a single course in a second semester will repeat the
failed (or dropped) course, take the LEC, and one 5-credit course from the next
semester.
o Students who fail courses in two different semesters could get back on track or
remain off track for the duration of medical sciences, depending on in which
semesters the failures occur.
o These students will require at least 7 semesters to complete medical sciences.

For Organ Systems-Based Medical Sciences Integrated Modules

• Within semesters, modules include both basic and clinical sciences content and are
deliberately sequenced so that success in one module is a prerequisite for the next.

• Different Learning Enhancement Courses (nine LECs, one associated with each of the
nine integrated modules) are available for students who have challenges with the organ
systems-based curriculum.
o In Semester 1, a 1-credit LEC will run simultaneously with Semester 1’s 20-credit
MSM module. This module-specific LEC will begin immediately after the first exam
and concentrate on learning strategies and techniques for academic success.
o In Semesters 2-5, 5-credit, 8-week LECs will run independently of modules,
meaning that a student will be enrolled only in a LEC for the first or the second half
of the semester. These module-specific LECs will have some content-specific

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materials drawn from the relevant module as well as common material and
sessions on learning.

• A student who fails a module is required to take, and pass, the relevant LEC.
o If a student fails the 16-week, 20-credit M2M module in Semester 1, they will be
placed on Academic Warning (see Academic Warning for further details). When
they repeat Semester 1 / M2M, they will be required to take the relevant 1-credit
LEC simultaneously.
o If a student fails an 8-week module in Semesters 2-5, then they will be required to
take only the relevant 5-credit LEC in the next 8 weeks, in preparation for and prior
to repeating the original module the next time that it is offered.

• All LECs are honors/pass/fail. A student who does not pass a required 5-credit LEC must
successfully remediate the LEC before they can return to the original 10-credit module for
a second time. Students should be aware that failing a 5-credit LEC will add an additional
semester to their medical sciences timeline.

• A student who drops or withdraws from a module will need an additional semester to
complete medical sciences. In Semesters 2-5, a student could choose to take the relevant
LEC as a stand-alone, 5-credit elective during the half-semester gap. Alternatively, a
student could choose to take an LOA until the relevant module in the sequence is available
for re-enrollment the subsequent semester.

• If a student takes an LOA in the final eight weeks of Semesters 2-5, they will receive
academic credit for a successfully completed A module.

Clinical Sciences

Students that fail to meet SAP for the first time at the end of a given academic year must remediate
directly with the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Students who trigger an academic
dismissal and wish to appeal their dismissal (if eligible) or fail to meet the terms of an academic
plan may appeal in writing to the Clinical Sciences Leadership Committee. Students seeking
additional information are encouraged to contact the Office of the Registrar.

Student fails to meet SAP for the first time at the end of a given academic year:

• Student is placed on SAP/FA probation:

o End-of-semester status updated to SAP/FA probation;

o Student must appeal and complete an academic plan;
o Academic plan must specify the timeframe needed to meet SAP; and
o Student regains FA eligibility

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• Student must remediate with the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs to
collaboratively determine academic plan.
• Student SAP is reviewed at the end of the semester or by the timeframe stated on the
academic plan.
• Student meets requirements of SAP and the academic plan; and
o End-of-semester status is updated to good standing.
o Student retains FA eligibility.
• Student fails to meet SAP but meets the requirements of the academic plan:
o Status remains SAP/FA Probation; and
o Academic plan is reviewed for continuation of FA eligibility.
• Student fails to meet the academic plan within max timeframe:
o End-of-semester status updated to SAP/FA Dismissal;
o Student is dismissed from AUC pending appeal to the Council of Clinical Deans;
and
o Student can choose whether to appeal;
o If appeal is approved:
 End-of-semester status is updated to SAP/FA Probation/Readmit after
appeal;
 Student must meet with the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs to
collaboratively determine the Academic Plan/Appeal Terms; and
 Student will forfeit FA eligibility until SAP status is regained.
o If appeal is denied:
 End-of-semester status is permanently placed in SAP/FA dismissal.
o A student who fails to appeal within the given timeframe will be permanently
dismissed from AUC:
 Student forfeits FA eligibility.

COURSE GRADING SYSTEM

AUC’s course grading system is based on an assessment of “Honors,” “Pass,” or “Fail.”
Examination grades and final grades for courses will be transmitted to individual students in a
manner that ensures anonymity. A final grade is rounded to a whole number determined by a
number in one decimal place (e.g., 69.50% = 70% [P] and 69.49% = 69% [F]).

Each Medical Sciences course or module final average grade is based on students who complete

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all course or module requirements. Students who withdraw, take a leave of absence, or otherwise
do not complete all requirements will not be included in the course or module final average grade.

H (Honors)

In a Medical Sciences course or module, an Honors grade is defined as a score greater than or
equal to 89.50% (final grade 90% [H]).

For core clerkships, clinical students beginning their first rotation on January 9, 2017 or later who
1) receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance which “Exceeds Expectations,” 2)
meet or exceed all professionalism expectations, and 3) pass the relevant NBME subject
examination on the first attempt will be awarded a final grade of Honors in that core clerkship.

For core clerkships, clinical students beginning their first rotation prior to January 9, 2017 who 1)
receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Superior” or “Above Average” and
2) pass the relevant NBME subject examination on the first attempt will be awarded a final grade
of Honors in that core clerkship.

For elective rotations, clinical students beginning their first rotation on January 9, 2017 or later
who 1) receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Exceeds Expectations”
and 2) meet or exceed all professionalism expectations will be awarded a final grade of Honors
in that elective rotation.

For elective rotations, clinical students beginning their first rotation prior to January 9, 2017 who
receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Superior” or “Above Average” will
be awarded a final grade of Honors in that elective rotation.

P (Pass)

A passing grade is defined as a score of 69.50% - 89.49% in a Medical Sciences course or

module.

For core clerkships, clinical students beginning their first rotation on January 9, 2017 or later who
1) receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance which “Meets Expectations” and 2)
pass the relevant NBME examination will receive a final grade of Pass in that core clerkship.

For core clerkships, clinical students beginning their first rotation on January 9, 2017 or later who
receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Exceeds Expectations” but they
do not initially meet all professionalism expectations and/or they fail the relevant NBME exam on
the first attempt and then pass it on a subsequent attempt will receive a final grade of Pass in that
core clerkship.

For core clerkships, clinical students beginning their first rotation prior to January 9, 2017 who
receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Average” or “Below Average” or if
they receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Superior” or “Above Average”

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but fail the relevant NBME exam and then pass it on a subsequent attempt will receive a final
grade of Pass in that core clerkship.

All students must pass the relevant NBME examination to receive a passing grade in core
clerkships.

For elective rotations, students beginning their first rotation on January 9, 2017 or later who
receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Meets Expectations” will receive
a final grade of Pass in that elective rotation. For students beginning their first rotation prior to
January 9, 2017 who receive an overall assessment of their clinical performance as “Average” or
“Below Average” will receive a final grade of Pass in that elective rotation.

F (Fail)

A failing grade is defined as a score less than or equal to 69.49% in a Medical Sciences course
or module, or a failing performance in a clinical rotation. A student who is AWOL at the mid-term
will receive an “F” grade in all courses for which s/he was enrolled at the time. Receipt of an “F”
grade will require the student to repeat the course in the next term of enrollment (if s/he is not
dismissed on academic grounds). This grade will remain on the student’s official transcript.
Students will not be allowed extra-credit work, make-up papers or credit for non-academic roles
in order to raise a failing grade to a passing grade.

I (Incomplete)

Medical Sciences

A course or module grade of Incomplete can only be assigned with an approved Excused
Absence and as a result, the student has missed one or more exams in the course or module.
However, a course or module grade of “F” will be assigned if a student needs a grade of more
than 100 percent on any missed exam to pass the course or module. Make-up examinations for
students will be decided between the student, the appropriate Dean, and the Course or Module
Director. To remove a grade of “I,” the student must complete the course or module requirements
before the beginning of the following semester, unless otherwise arranged by the Course or
Module Director. Failure to complete the requirements within the time limitations will result in a
change of grade from “I” to “F,” and the student must repeat the course or module.

Remediation Comprehensive Exam (RemCOMP)

In the discipline-based curriculum of separate courses, students are eligible to participate in

a Remediation Comprehensive Exam (RemCOMP) only if they meet all of the following criteria:
• A student fails no more than two major semester courses with a final course grade from
the Office of the Registrar of 65% - 69%.

• For the other course(s) that student is enrolled in for that semester, excluding all ICM

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courses, Biostatistics/Epidemiology, and Medical Ethics, the student achieves a final

course grade from the Office of the Registrar of 70% or higher and passes all other P/F
courses.

In the organ systems-based curriculum of integrated modules, students will be eligible to

participate in a Remediation Comprehensive Exam (RemCOMP) only if they meet the following
criteria:
• A student fails a module with a final grade from the Office of the Registrar of 65% - 69%.

Only students who meet these exact criteria are eligible to sit for a RemCOMP. Students who are
unsure of their RemCOMP eligibility due to a delay in final grade posting should prepare as if to
take the exam on the date scheduled in the Master Academic Calendar. The RemCOMP is offered
as an additional benefit to students, and neither eligibility nor participation is guaranteed,
regardless of the criteria set forth above.

Pending the outcome of the RemCOMP, students will receive a final grade of “F” by the Office of
the Registrar. If he or she passes a RemCOMP with a score of 70.0% or higher (no rounding),
the student will then advance to the next semester (discipline-based) or module (organ systems-
based) level. The course or module grade will be changed to a ‘Pass’ and a 70% score grade,
regardless of the Remediation Comprehensive Exam score. If the student does not pass the
RemCOMP, the student will retain his/her original failing grade for the course or module.

Students are notified of the exact RemCOMP dates at the beginning of each semester on the
Master Academic Calendar. Students should note that the RemCOMP for discipline-based
courses and organ systems-based B modules are scheduled on the last day of the semester and
will be held on-campus. Students must take these dates into consideration when making travel
arrangements as AUC cannot offer RemCOMP on a different date for students who are off-
campus on the scheduled date.

RemCOMP exams are optional. Students who are eligible for a RemCOMP are not required to
take it. Students can forfeit the opportunity to take a RemCOMP exam if they consider that
repeating a failed course or module is in their best interest and necessary for improved learning
and academic achievement.

Clinical Sciences

The requirements to receive a final grade in any rotation, core clerkship or elective, are as follows:
passage of the NBME subject exam (for core clerkships only), timely electronic submission of
case log(s), and the Clinical Clerkship Evaluation Form. Faculty must complete and submit a
Clinical Student Assessment Form. Until the student has fulfilled the requirements to receive a
final grade, an incomplete (“I”) for a clerkship/rotation will be assigned. Final “F” grades assigned
to a clerkship due to untimely case logs or clinical clerkship evaluation forms will supersede all

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other grading requirements for that clerkship.

Students with Incomplete clerkship/rotations grades (“I”) should note when SAP is calculated that
this will impact their pace of progression through the Doctor of Medicine program. Students should
refer to the academic progression section for the policies regarding SAP and the impact on Title
IV funding. Should a student’s pace of progression be impacted by an “I” grade, s/he will be
alerted by the Financial Aid Department on what steps are needed in order to remediate.

An “I” grade will be converted to an “F” grade if any of the events below occur:

• Failure to pass a subject exam within 150 days of completion of a clerkship.

• Four failures of the subject exam for the corresponding clerkship.
• Failure to submit final case logs within 30 days from the end date of the rotation.
• Failure to submit a Clinical Clerkship Evaluation Form within 30 days from the end date
of the rotation.

W (Withdrawn)

Medical Sciences

For students enrolled in discipline-based curriculum and separate courses, any student who
obtains an approved Leave of Absence from AUC prior to the end of the 12th week of classes
shall receive a grade of “W” in all enrolled courses for the semester. If the student did not
successfully complete a course, the student must retake and complete those courses during the
next term of enrollment. For the avoidance of doubt, no student may receive a “W” grade for any
one course more than once, (unless the student was previously withdrawn for non-payment of
tuition and fees). Failure to successfully pass the course by the end of the next semester of
enrollment will result in an “F.”

For students enrolled in organ system-based curriculum and integrated modules, any student who
obtains an approved Leave of Absence from AUC prior to the end of the 12th week of classes for
the First Module, the end of Week 6 for an A Module, or the end of Week 14 for a B Module shall
receive a grade of “W” in that module. Failure to successfully pass the module by the end of the
next semester of enrollment will result in an “F.”

GRADE CHANGES

Medical Sciences

If course or module directors find a calculation or record keeping error in the grade initially
submitted, they will submit a Change of Grade Form to the Office of the Registrar. Students
cannot protest their grade. If students have academic concerns related to curriculum or

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assessment, they should refer to the Flow Chart for Student Academic Concerns.

Clinical Sciences

Clinical Sciences grades are typically final unless there is an error in how the grade was
calculated. A student who wishes to contest a final core clerkship or elective rotation grade,
including comments, should first work directly with the relevant clerkship director to discuss his
or her concerns. If the clerkship director is unwilling to accept the student’s appeal, the student
has the option of escalating his or her concern about the grade to the relevant US or UK
Associate Clinical Dean depending on the location. The Associate Clinical Dean may then
discuss the situation with the clerkship director and/or site director. If no satisfactory resolution
is achieved, the Associate Clinical Dean can bring the matter to the Clinical Sciences
Leadership Committee for additional input. The determination of the Clinical Sciences
Leadership Committee is not subject to appeal.

ACADEMIC COMMITTEES
The Appeal Committee is comprised of faculty members with voting rights. In Sint Maarten, the
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs serve in an advisory
capacity. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UK Track serves in an advisory capacity for
the UK Track. This committee is charged with hearing and delivering dispositions on appeals from
students that have received Academic Dismissals, failed to meet the terms of an academic plan.

The Clinical Science Leadership Committee (CSL) is comprised of the following people: The
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, who
also serves as University Conduct Officer; the Associate Clinical Dean for the US; the Associate
Clinical Dean for the UK; and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences, as well
as representatives from AUC’s clinical operations department. During the clinical science training,
the overall progress of the student is heavily dependent on his or her capacity to function in an
interactive clinical setting with patients, faculty and administration in addition to maintaining
adequate participation and academic progression. For this reason, the CSL was established to
proactively consider and monitor the academic performance and progress of all clinical students.

The CSL meets twice a month to consider the progression of students who are falling below
normal criteria with respect to clinical and academic performance as well as professionalism. Ad
hoc meetings of the CSL are initiated by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs who
monitors performance and receives reports of poor performance or inappropriate behavior. The
Clinical Deans will relay reports that they receive of poor performance or inappropriate behavior
to the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs who will then schedule meetings as required.

For current member names of the committees and/or deans listed above, please email the Office
of the Registrar at aucregistrar@[Link].

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REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

To be eligible to receive the MD degree, students must have complied with all of the following
aspects of the Doctor of Medicine degree program:

• Satisfactory completion of the medical science curriculum;

• Satisfactory completion of all required 72 weeks of clinical rotations. For students
matriculating beginning in the September 2019 Semester or later, 80 weeks of clinical
rotations are required:
o Completion of each rotation includes all of the following:
 Submission of Clinical Student Assessment Forms;
 Submission of case logs; and
 Submission of Clinical Clerkship Evaluation Forms;
• Passed all Comprehensive and NBME Subject exams;
• Passed and self-reported scores for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK;
• Have an approved ECFMG Pathway (3 or 6) in order to obtain ECFMG Certification;
• Fulfilled all financial obligations to AUC;
• Completed and submitted AUC Graduation Survey;
• Completed and submitted all required forms for graduation as requested by the Office
of the Registrar; and
• Fulfilled all attributes of professionalism such as integrity, altruism, and working for
the public good.

To be eligible to participate in the graduation commencement ceremony which takes place in May
of each year, students must successfully complete the aforementioned requirements of the Doctor
of Medicine degree program. Students that do not fulfill all requirements, with the exception of
pending student assessments by faculty, will not be allowed to participate in the commencement
ceremony without seeking conditional approval from the Senior Associate Dean for Student
Affairs. Students requesting conditional approval based on not meeting requirements (i.e., final
rotation ends after commencement ceremony) must submit their request to the Office of the
Registrar. The Office of the Registrar will then send the request along with any other pertinent
information to the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs for review. Students who are granted
approval will be provided with conditional terms of approval that must be met per the specified
date. Students who cannot report a passing score by the date of the commencement ceremony
will not be awarded conditional approval. Failure to meet the terms of a conditional approval will
result in the student being removed from the ceremony RSVP and all ceremony
bulletins. Students will also not be refunded for any expenses incurred should they not meet the
conditional terms of approval.

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ACADEMIC LEAVES OF ABSENCE

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL STUDENTS
An Academic Leave of Absence (ALOA) may be granted for only the reasons set out below.
Approval of a request for an ALOA is not automatic and proof of the asserted justification may be
required. AUC reserves the right to impose conditions that, in its discretion, it deems appropriate
upon the return of any student who has taken an ALOA. During leave, the student must provide
a means of contact at which s/he can be reached within 24 hours and through which additional
contact information can be verified.

The length of an ALOA may be for less than an entire semester of enrollment (Short-Term ALOA)
or for an entire semester (Long-Term ALOA). ALOA request forms are accessible online at
[Link] With approval from the Office of Student
Affairs, students are permitted a maximum excused absence of 15 total days (including
weekends) per semester. More than 15 days away from campus impacts the student’s enrollment
status and requires a short-term LOA for the remainder of the semester. On the Sint Maarten
campus, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs reviews all medical sciences LOA requests with
input from a semester lead and course director(s) when the request is for anything other than a
medical, legal, or hurricane-related reason. Students should discuss any LOA request with their
semester lead to understand the academic impact of the leave and to negotiate all make-up
assignments for missed work. An approved LOA does not guarantee a make-up assignment as it
is the sole discretion of the faculty to grant make-up assignment(s). Students are responsible for
all assignments while on an approved LOA or otherwise. Short-Term LOA requests for planned
events must be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to the date of the leave. AUC is not responsible
for pre-purchased airfare if a LOA is not approved. Students choosing to be away from campus
without submitting a LOA request are considered in violation of AUC’s Professional Conduct
Policy.

AUC administration will determine the proper characterization and treatment of an Academic
Leave of Absence request depending on the basis for the leave, the student’s status as either a
Medical Sciences student or Clinical Sciences student, and the timing and length of the request.
There may be significant FA and grading consequences that flow from taking an ALOA, which the
student should seriously contemplate before taking an ALOA. During leave, the student must
provide a means of contact at which s/he can be reached within 24 hours and through
which additional contact information can be verified.

Any student contemplating an ALOA should consult with a Financial Aid (FA) officer to determine
whether his or her student loan status will be affected. Students should be aware that:

• Taking a Short-Term ALOA for a period of greater than fifteen days may adversely impact
the student’s rate of academic progress (SAP), which may in turn result in loss of FA
eligibility or SAP/FA dismissal;

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• Taking consecutive ALOAs of more than one term in duration may result in the student’s
FA obligations going into repayment status; and

• Taking a Long-Term ALOA(s) may adversely impact the student’s ability to complete the
medical education program within seven academic years; failure to complete the medical
education program within seven academic years is grounds for academic dismissal.

• ALOAs are used for internal tracking purposes only and do not comply with the
Department of Education determination of a Leave. For Title IV purposes, students are
reported as having withdrawn from medical school and may be subject to a return of Title
IV funding.

An ALOA may be granted for no more than one semester time period at a time. A request for a
subsequent period of leave or extension must be made by the student and submitted to the
appropriate office at least one month prior to expiration of the current period of ALOA. For Medical
Sciences students, an ALOA will not be approved after Friday of Week 12 of the semester. If a
student needs to take a leave in the last 4 weeks of the semester, they will need to withdraw from
the University.

A student may not be granted more than three ALOAs for personal or medical reasons during the
student’s enrollment at AUC. This limit is intended to be a cumulative total over the entire medical
education program. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consecutive Long-Term ALOAs granted for
personal or medical reasons shall not extend beyond two consecutive semesters. If a student
does not return to AUC after the end of an approved ALOA, s/he will be withdrawn from the
student roster; with his or her status recorded on the student’s transcript will be designated AWOL.
Additionally, any student who has completed all required clinical training or will complete less than
8 weeks of rotations in their final semester and is pending a passing USMLE score will require a
Leave of Absence. If a student fails to submit the required ALOA to the Office of the Registrar by
the provided deadline they will be withdrawn from any registered rotations and designated AWOL.

A student whom AUC has deemed AWOL must reapply to AUC for readmission. Students
should not assume that they will be readmitted once withdrawn from enrollment as AWOL.
Students should be aware that taking an ALOA does not exempt them from academic
requirements of AUC once returning from leave.

Students who fail to complete online acceptance of their registered courses and/or fail to check-
in in person by the announced AWOL date and those who are absent without an approved ALOA
at any time during a term of enrollment will be considered AWOL and will be immediately and
automatically withdrawn from the medical school. Any student who is AWOL during a term may
have his or her course grades for that semester recorded as an “F”.

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TYPES OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUESTS

Academic Leave for Medical Reasons

This may be defined as a leave related to an illness or medical condition sufficiently serious as to
preclude the student from undertaking normal daily activities (special conditions apply to medical
science students).

In the case of either a voluntary or involuntary medical ALOA, conditions that may be imposed
before return is permitted include, but are not limited to, the student:

• Granting permission, via a signed consent, “to allow AUC to send the student’s treating
physician a description of the circumstances of the medical problem that arose on Sint
Maarten or at a clinical site and a description of the medical infrastructure available at the
site to which the student will be returning”;

• Submitting to AUC a letter from the student’s treating clinician that specifically addresses
(i) the student’s fitness to return to the stressful environment of a full-time medical student;
(ii) the need for continuing care, if any, and whether such care can be provided on Sint
Maarten or the applicable clinical site; and (iii) a preventive plan to avoid the student’s
relapse if applicable

• Agreeing to an independent formal independent Fitness for Duty (FFD) Evaluation if

requested by AUC. AUC will make arrangements directly with the independent provider
and cover the cost of the evaluation. The FFD may address (i) the student’s fitness to
return to the stressful environment of a full-time medical student; (ii) the need for
continuing care, if any, and whether such care can be provided on Sint Maarten or the
applicable clinical site; and (iii) a preventative plan to avoid the student’s relapse if
applicable.

• Under circumstances involving the health and safety of either the student or others within
AUC community and/or the student’s inability to meet AUC’s Technical Standards, AUC
may place a student on an involuntary medical ALOA and may impose specific conditions
on the student’s return.

Academic Leave for Personal Reasons

Reasons for this type of leave may include a tragedy in the student’s immediate family or an
unexpected financial difficulty that renders it unduly difficult for the student to continue his or her
medical studies.

Clinical students who intend to apply for an ALOA on medical or personal grounds that will conflict
with a scheduled rotation must first obtain the written permission of the relevant Clerkship
Director(s) and submit such written approval, if granted, to AUC along with their completed Leave

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Request Form. Taking leave during clerkships is discouraged and such leave will not be granted
unless it is absolutely necessary for the health and well-being of the student. The maximum
cumulative time period for Medical or Personal Leave for clinical students is two semesters. An
exception to this pathway would be Medical Leave initiated on an emergency basis in which case
these procedures would be followed after the Emergency Leave was converted to a Medical
Leave.

Students contemplating a Leave on personal or medical grounds should note the Criteria for
Dismissal located in the Academic Performance section.

Students on leave from clinical rotations may be allowed to take NBME or USMLE examinations
with the written permission of the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Academic Leave for Military Duty

If a student is called for military duty, he or she will be allowed to withdraw without academic or
financial penalty. Once active duty is completed, the student will be restored to the educational
status he or she had attained prior to being called to active duty without loss of academic credits
earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition and other fees paid prior to the initiation of
active duty.

Academic Leave for Academic Reasons

• To study for and take USMLE Step 1 and/or Step 2 CK examinations

• To study for and take any NBME core exam, or to cover a gap in scheduled clinical
rotations
• To partake in a research project or other academic endeavor of high esteem, such as
presentation of research findings at a regional, national or international meeting.

RETURN FROM ACADEMIC LEAVE OF ABSENCE

All students on Medical Leave will be reviewed by the relevant Student Affairs Dean. The student
will provide a report from the treating physician for the medical condition indicating recovery and
stating the necessity for maintenance treatment and required accommodations, if any. This must
be forwarded by verifiable instrument to the respective Student Affairs Dean. Once this
information is received, the student will be interviewed either virtually or in-person at the discretion
of the respective Student Affairs Dean. If, following completion of this review and interview, the
respective Student Affairs Dean continues to have concerns about the student’s ability to meet
AUC’s Technical Standards, the Dean has the discretion to refer the student for an independent
FFD Evaluation to be completed by a qualified licensed psychologist or board-certified psychiatrist
and at AUC’s expense. If the student is found to be unfit for duty, the results of the FFD will be
reported to the Chief Academic Officer. Otherwise, the respective Student Affairs Dean will report
that the student is fit for duty to the Office of the Registrar, and the student will be returned to
medical or clinical studies as soon as a schedule can be arranged.

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In cases of return from non-academic leaves for reasons of conduct or from non-academic leaves
for conduct and medical reasons, the appropriate Dean will determine if the student has met the
requirements set forth in the administrative review process. The appropriate Dean will then notify
the Office of the Registrar so a new schedule may be created for the student.

TYPES OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE LENGTHS

Short-Term ALOAs

For students on the Sint Maarten campus, all student travel should be documented via electronic
notification to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. For unplanned travel, such as due to a
medical or family emergency, the appropriate dean should be notified as soon as possible.

For a leave period greater than fifteen days, students are required to complete a Short-Term LOA
form. Short-Term LOA for a period of greater than fifteen days may impact Financial Aid
status/eligibility, satisfactory academic progress, and academic progression. If a student is on
probation and/or an academic plan, taking a short-term leave for the duration of the semester may
result in SAP/FA Dismissal, Academic Probation or Academic Dismissal.

Long-Term ALOAs

Long-term LOAs are comprised of taking leave for an entire semester. Medical Sciences students
who have completed their first set of exams of the current semester are not eligible to take a long-
term LOA. A long-term LOA must be approved by the appropriate AUC administrator(s) prior to
registration (Medical Sciences) or before the commencement of the semester being requested
(Clinical Sciences). All students approved for a long-term LOA should note that they will be
reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) as Withdrawn “W” until such time
that they return to part-time or full-time status.

Long-Term ALOA – USMLE Step 2 CK (All Clinical Rotations completed)

Any student who has completed all clinical rotations and is taking an ALOA to sit for the USMLE
Step 2 CK must receive approval from the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences.
Upon approval the ALOA will be processed to cover the first 12 weeks of the semester that they
are sitting for the exam. At the end of the 12 weeks, all students must submit confirmation of
sitting for the USMLE 2 CK exam to the Office of the Registrar at aucregistrar@[Link].
Once the confirmation has been received and reviewed, the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs,
Clinical Sciences will approve/deny an ALOA extension for the remaining 4 weeks of the
semester. If no confirmation is received, the student will be classified as AWOL and
administratively withdrawn. All students approved for a long-term LOA should note that they will
be reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) as Withdrawn “W” until such time
that they return to part-time or full-time status.

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SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES AND CLINICAL

SCIENCES STUDENTS

Medical Sciences

A medical sciences student who is granted a Long-Term ALOA prior to registration for a semester
will be considered to be on an approved Long-Term ALOA for purposes of measuring SAP. He
or she will not be liable for tuition and fees for that term and will not be eligible to receive Financial
Aid.

When a student takes an approved Long-Term ALOA, the leave term will not count toward the
maximum time frame for completion of the academic program. The semester in which a student
is granted a Short-Term ALOA for a period of greater than fifteen days will count toward the
maximum timeframe for completion of the academic program for the purposes of SAP.

The Student Finance section set out above will apply regarding refunds of tuition and fees to
students that are granted a Short-Term ALOA for a period of greater than fifteen days.
Additionally, the student’s course grades for the semester will be recorded as an “I,” or a “W.” “W”
grades will affect a student’s SAP as described in the Academic Performance section, which could
result in SAP/FA Dismissal. An “I” must be converted to an “H”, “P” or “F” grade during the next
term of enrollment as set out in the Academic Performance section. The maximum consecutive
time period for medical science students taking Academic Leave is two semesters.

Medical Sciences students are required to submit an ALOA request on the correct form to the
office of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. All requests for Leave must be in writing and
contain the student’s printed name, student number, reason for the request, dates of the proposed
leave period and student’s signature.

A medical science student must meet the following Special Conditions before an Academic Leave
request will be granted on medical grounds:

• A request for a medical leave must be delivered to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
for Sint Maarten students or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UK Track for UK
Track students prior to any missed exams, unless the medical illness or condition was of
a truly exigent nature and caused the student to miss an exam;

• The request and supporting documentation will be reviewed by the Assistant Dean for
Student Affairs for Sint Maarten students or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UK
Track for UK Track students, and if deemed necessary, a physician of AUC’s choice;

• The request must be accompanied by the student’s signed consent for release of medical
records which the student contends establish the existence of the qualifying medical
condition; and

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Students will not be allowed to take any exam or attend classes during an approved academic
leave of absence for medical reasons.

Clinical Sciences

Clinical students receive federal financial aid based on confirmation of scheduled rotations. If
there is a break in the student’s scheduled rotations, the clinical student must complete an
Academic Leave Request Form in advance, so that his or her current enrollment status may be
tracked and reported to federal financial aid authorities. Therefore, it is essential for all clinical
students to request and obtain approval for an Academic Leave prior to any break in their rotation
schedule. Any Academic Leaves undertaken during clinical years should preferably be Short-
Term. Students will be granted a maximum of two Long-Term ALOAs to take and pass all of their
NBME Subject Examinations as required unless special dispensation has been granted by the
Clinical Science Leadership Committee (CSL).

LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY FOR USMLE TESTING

Students who have been approved for an Academic Leave of Absence for the purpose of
preparing and sitting for a USMLE exam must ensure that their scores are received by the end of
their approved ALOA. Failure to either report a passing score or obtain an approved extension by
the end of an approved ALOA will automatically trigger an academic dismissal. Please review the
academic performance section for additional information on dismissal criteria.

USMLE Step 1 ALOA

Every medical sciences student needs to take a Long-Term Academic Leave of Absence to study
and sit for USMLE Step 1. To be approved for this ALOA, students who have completed the
Medical Sciences curriculum of the educational program must submit a Step 1 Leave of Absence
Form, as well as any required supporting documentation.

Request for Leave of Absence for USMLE Step 1 (SXM Campus)

Request for Leave of Absence for USMLE Step 1 (UK Track)

Please note that during the Step 1 ALOA, students are required to maintain communication and
engagement with AUC. Students are required to meet with their assigned Step 1 Fellow on a
regular basis (at least twice per month) and engage in a study plan to prepare for USMLE Step
1. Step 1 Fellows will advise students throughout the Step 1 ALOA and assess progress and
readiness for USMLE Step 1. Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in a Code of
Conduct violation which may result in withdrawal from the University or the rejection of an ECFMG
Step 1 permit during the approval process.

Requests for an extension to the USMLE Step 1 LOA will only be considered in cases of
documented serious medical and/or family emergency. USMLE Step 1 LOA students

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experiencing such an emergency should schedule an appointment with the relevant Associate
Dean of Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences. These situations are reviewed on a case-by-case
basis and approval is not guaranteed.

On rare occasions, students may need to request a second extension of their Step 1 LOA using
the same process as for the first extension. If their original USMLE Step 1 permit expires, they
will need to purchase another one. Students will be wholly responsible for the permit costs.

Those students who do not pass the USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt will receive a letter of
warning and will be referred to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences. Those
students and the Dean will work jointly to develop an academic plan for the USMLE Step 1
examination for a second time, and the student must take a second academic leave for an
additional semester. If a student fails the USMLE Step 1 for a third time, they will be academically
dismissed and may be eligible to appeal to the Appeal Committee. Should they be reinstated, a
third academic leave may be required. Under no circumstances can a student take more than
three academic leaves.

A student who intends to request a Long-Term Academic Leave for a second term to study and
sit for the USMLE Step 1 must also submit the following documentation with the Academic Leave
Request Form:

• A copy of the USMLE receipt as proof of attendance and completion of each USMLE Step
1 exam taken during the prior Academic Leave period;
• A copy of the USMLE result sheet, front and back, for each USMLE Step 1 exam taken
during the prior Academic Leave period; and
• A detailed action plan with a timeline setting out the student’s strategy for passing USMLE
Step 1.

Students who have been approved for a USMLE Step 1 ALOA extension for medical reasons as
selected on the leave form are still eligible to sit for the USMLE Step 1 examination. Please note
this is only for students with an approved Step 1 extension.

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A student who intends to request a Long-Term Academic Leave for the third term to study or sit
for the USMLE Step 1 must also submit the following documentation with the Academic Leave
Request Form:

• A copy of the USMLE receipt as proof of attendance and completion of each USMLE Step
1 exam taken during all prior Academic Leave periods;
• A copy of the USMLE result sheet, front and back, for each USMLE Step 1 exam taken
during all prior Academic Leave periods; and
• Any other records confirming compliance with the prior Academic Leave action plan.

The student’s agreement to comply with an approved action plan will become a condition of the
Academic Leave, if approved. Failure to comply with any condition may result in denial of a further
leave request. If the student has not taken the USMLE Step 1 exam as agreed, or otherwise not
complied, the student will be subject to academic dismissal. This includes students who do not sit
for the USMLE Step 1 exam within two consecutive leaves of absence and, students who do not
report a passing score on the USMLE Step 1 exam within three consecutive leaves of absence.
The procedure for appealing such a dismissal is set out in the Academic Performance section.

Academic, Medical and Personal leaves all count towards Long-Term Academic
Leaves. Students contemplating an Academic Leave on personal or medical grounds
should note the Criteria for Dismissal located in the Academic Performance section.

USMLE Step 2 ALOA(s)

Students who are requesting to take a leave to study and sit for a USMLE Step 2 examination
must submit a completed Academic Leave Request Form and required supporting documentation
(see below) to the Office of the Registrar. Students should anticipate that two weeks may be
necessary to process an Academic Leave Request and should therefore allow sufficient time for
approval to be granted to avoid becoming AWOL. The approval or denial of the student’s
Academic Leave Request will be confirmed by email from the Office of the Registrar.

A student who intends to submit a first-time request for a Long-Term Academic Leave to study or
sit for a USMLE Step 2 examination must also submit the following documentation with the
Academic Leave Request Form:

• An email recording his or her agreement to take USMLE Step 2 at least one month before
his/her leave expires; and
• A copy of his/her Prometric final test date confirmation for taking USMLE Step 2 within the
proposed leave period.

Agreement to take a USMLE Step 2 examination on or before the date specified will become a
condition of the student’s Long-Term Academic Leave, if approved. Failure to comply with this
condition will result in denial of any further leave request and the student will be subject to

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academic dismissal. The procedure for appeal of such a dismissal is set out in the Academic
Performance section. It is required that if the student receives a failing USMLE Step 2 score, s/he
contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences by emailing
clinicalexamprep@[Link] to set up a meeting to discuss a remediation plan and the timing
for retaking the examination.

A student who intends to request a Long-Term Academic Leave for a second term to sit for a
USMLE Step 2 examination must also submit the following documentation with the Academic
Leave Request Form at least one month prior to expiration of the current Academic Leave period:

• A copy of the USMLE receipt as proof of attendance and completion of each USMLE Step
2 exam taken during the prior Academic Leave period;
• A copy of the USMLE result sheet, front and back, for each USMLE Step 2 exam taken
during the prior Academic Leave period;
• A copy of the Prometric final test date confirmation for taking USMLE Step 2 before the
end of the leave period;
• A detailed action plan developed in coordination with the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs, Clinical Sciences with timeline setting out the student’s strategy for passing
USMLE Step 2 CK; and
• An official ECFMG transcript must be provided to the Office of the Registrar prior to
expiration of the second leave period, if approved.

Compliance with the approved action plan will be a condition of the Academic Leave, if granted.
Failure to comply with any condition may result in denial of a further leave request. If the student
has not taken the USMLE Step 2 exam or otherwise does not comply as agreed, the student will
be subject to dismissal with the right to appeal. The procedure for appeal of such a dismissal is
set out in the Academic Performance section. It is highly recommended that if the student receives
a failing USMLE Step 2 score for the second time, he/she immediately enroll in a formal USMLE
Step 2 preparation program.

A student who intends to request a Long-Term Academic Leave for the third term to study or sit
for a USMLE Step 2 examination must also submit the following documentation with the Academic
Leave Request Form at least one month prior to expiration of the current leave period:

• A copy of the USMLE receipt as proof of attendance and completion of each USMLE Step
2 exam taken during all prior Academic Leave periods;
• A copy of the USMLE result sheet, front and back, for each USMLE Step 2 exam taken
during all prior Academic Leave periods;
• A copy of the receipt for payment for a USMLE Step 2 prep program confirming current or
scheduled enrollment during the proposed leave period;

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• A copy of the Prometric final test date confirmation for USMLE Step 2 within the proposed
leave period;
• Any other records confirming compliance with the prior Academic Leave action plan;

A further detailed action plan with a timeline setting out the student’s strategy for passing the
USMLE Step 2 during the third requested leave period; and

An official ECFMG transcript must be provided to the Office of the Registrar prior to the expiration
of the third leave period, if approved.

The student’s agreement to comply with an approved action plan will become a condition of the
Academic Leave, if approved. Failure to comply with any condition may result in denial of a further
leave request and, if the student has not taken the USMLE Step 2 exam as agreed or otherwise
not complied; the student will be subject to dismissal. The procedure for appealing such a
dismissal is set out in the Academic Performance section.

If a student needs more than one Long-Term Academic Leave of Absence, he or she must obtain
approval from the Office of the Registrar. The maximum number of Long-Term ALOAs is limited
to three for taking the USMLE Step 2 Exams. If a student has not reported a passing USMLE
Step 2 score(s) by the end of the third semester of a Long-Term ALOA, he or she will be dismissed
per the academic dismissal policy. Academic, Medical and Personal leaves all count towards the
long-term academic leaves. Students contemplating an ALOA on personal or medical grounds
should note the Criteria for Dismissal located in the Academic Performance section.

Emergency

The Emergency Leave status will be converted to a Non-Academic Leave, a Non-Academic

Medical Leave, or an Academic Medical Leave by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs
as soon as the appropriate classification is determined. The student, unless incapacitated, will be
required to request and complete the administrative details of the assigned leave within 30 days.
Students whose status cannot be determined because they have not responded within a month
to electronic communications sent to their AUC email will be declared AWOL, and further
proceedings will be handled according to AWOL provisions.

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STUDENT RECORDS AND

TRANSCRIPTS
STUDENT RECORDS
Permanent student records are maintained, including admission information, academic
transcripts and other relevant information. Students may review the contents of their record by
notifying the Office of the Registrar in writing. Materials submitted in support of students’
applications, including transcripts from other institutions, letters of reference and related
documents, become the property of AUC. Except as required by applicable law, information
regarding attendance, grades or any other aspect of students’ academic standing will not be
released externally without written student consent.

NOTIFICATION OF STUDENT RIGHTS REGARDING THEIR

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
AUC respects the rights and privacy of its students and acknowledges the responsibility to
maintain the confidentiality of personally identifiable information (PII).

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords students the
following rights with respect to their education records, including:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records

Students have the right to review their education records within 45 days of the day the
institution receives their request. Students should submit to the Office of the Registrar,
dean, or head of the academic department written requests that identify the record(s) they
wish to inspect. The institution official will make arrangements for access and notify the
student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the official to whom
the request is submitted does not maintain the records, that official will advise the student
of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to seek an amendment of inaccurate or misleading information

Students may ask the institution to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or
misleading. They should write to the official responsible for the record, clearly identify the
part of the record they believe should be changed and specify why it is inaccurate or
misleading. If the institution decides not to amend the record as requested by the student,
the student will be notified of the decision and advised of his or her right to a hearing
regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing
procedures will be provided to the student when they are notified of the right to a hearing.
Following the hearing, if the institution still decides not to amend the record, the student

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has a right to place a clarifying statement in the record.

3. The right to limit disclosure of personally identifiable information

Students have the right to consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information
contained in their educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes
disclosure without consent.

One exception that permits disclosure without consent is the disclosure to a school official
who has a legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the
institution in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position
(including campus security, incident commanders and health staff) or a student serving on
an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also
may include an Adtalem Global Education colleague, a volunteer, or contractor outside of
the institution who performs an institutional service or function for which the institution
would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the
institution with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as
an attorney, auditor, intern or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another
school official in performing their tasks. School officials have a legitimate educational
interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional
responsibilities for the institution.

Another exception that permits disclosure without consent is the disclosure of directory
information. Directory information is not considered to be harmful or an invasion of privacy
if disclosed. See the Directory Information section for additional information.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if the institution
fails to comply with FERPA requirements

Complaints regarding disclosure of educational information should be directed to:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Tel: +1 800 USA LEARN (+1 800 872 5327)

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

The FERPA designates certain student information as “Directory Information” and gives the
institution the right to disclose such information without having to ask students’ permission. The
items listed below as “Directory Information” may be released for any purpose at the discretion of
the institution. Under the provisions of FERPA, students have the right to withhold the disclosure
of any or all of the categories of information listed below. The following information will be released

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unless students specifically request that their information be withheld:

• Directory Information: Name, address, telephone number, email address, date and
place of birth, dates of attendance, previous institution(s) attended, major field of study
(program), enrollment status, degrees and awards, past and present participation in
officially recognized activities, residency obtained.

To Withhold Information
To have directory information withheld, students must submit a written request to the Office of the
Registrar. Once filed, this request becomes a permanent part of the student’s record and no
information may be released until the student instructs the institution otherwise.

TRANSCRIPTS
AUC understands the importance of providing our students with effective and efficient transcript
services. Important events in the students’ lives depend on the prompt and secure delivery of
transcripts and AUC wants to keep students informed of their order and delivery status. Transcript
requests are processed within two business days. Students may request a transcript online using
Parchment, which is available at [Link]

Please note: Transcript requests to be uploaded to ECFMG/Match are free of charge and should
be requested through the Office of Career Advisement.

AUC charges $12.00 for each transcript requested plus any additional fees for shipping. During
the online ordering process a major credit card will be required to pay these fees. In addition,
other fees may apply if the student chooses to have their transcript sent via postal service rather
than electronically.

ORDERING PROCESS

• During the online ordering process, students will be instructed to identify the recipient(s)
of the transcript.
• AUC recommends the electronic delivery of transcripts. Transcripts will be delivered as
PDF documents through a secure web application.
• Students will be notified via their AUC email when the transcript is sent and also when it
is received.

DELIVERY METHODS

• Electronic delivery is the preferred method and is possible to a network of over 1,800

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receivers or to any individual if students provide their email address.

• Before sending an electronic transcript to an individual, please verify that the individual is
willing to accept this secure PDF transcript.
• If a student’s transcript cannot be delivered electronically, it will be sent by U.S. first class
mail.

UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

• Students can log in to My AUC Med at any time and view their unofficial transcript.
Additionally, when registering for a clinical rotation, every student receives a summary
sheet with previous rotations taken and USMLE, Clinical COMP, leave of absence
information, and NBME exam scores.

• As part of the residency application process, students are encouraged to review their
unofficial transcript via My AUC Med prior to the upload of their transcript to ERAS.
Students can request updates to their transcript via email to aucregistrar@[Link].

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INSTITUTIONAL COMPLAINTS
Students are encouraged to address complaints that they may have concerning AUC through a
personal meeting with AUC personnel directly involved with the issue that is the subject of the
complaint.

In the event the student is unable to resolve their complaint in this manner, the student may submit
a written complaint.

• Sint Maarten campus: Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

• UK Track: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UKT
• Clinical Sciences: Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs if the complaint is during
clinical rotations.

The relevant dean will respond to written complaints within ten business days.

In the event a student has a complaint that has not been resolved by the University through use
of the Administrative Review or Grievance Process, he/she may contact the state in which s/he
resides. A complete list of state agencies may be found on the AUC website through the
Contact Information for Student Complaint Process:
[Link]

If a student complaint is associated with the institution’s compliance with academic program
quality and accrediting standards, he/she may file a complaint with the Accreditation Commission
on Colleges of Medicine, the agency that accredits AUC’s academic program. The ACCM will
only consider complaints that have not been resolved satisfactorily at the institutional level. The
contact information for ACCM is:

ACCM Secretariat
6-9 Trinity Street,
Dublin D02 EY47, Ireland
Tel: +353 87 238 8502
Email: office@[Link]
Website: [Link]

Missouri Students Only

If a Missouri resident’s complaint has not been remediated by AUC, then the student may log a
complaint against the school to the Missouri Department of Higher Education. The contact
information is as follows:

Missouri Department of Higher Education

301 W. High Street
P.O. Box 1469

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Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469

Email: info@[Link]

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ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY

ADMINISTRATION

Dean/Chief Academic Officer – Pedro L. Delgado, MD

Senior Associate Dean, SXM Campus – David S. Pryluck, MD, MBA
Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs – Nurry Pirani, MD, FACP
Senior Associate Dean, Student Affairs – Kimberly A. Kirkland, PsyD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Sint Maarten Campus – Ángel Matos, MD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UK Track – Andy Ginty, PhD
Associate Dean, Medical Sciences Curriculum – Magdalena Kwiatkowska, MD, PhD
Assistant Dean, Medical Sciences Assessment – OPEN
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Clinical Sciences – Joy Checa, MD, MSc, MBA
Associate Clinical Dean (US) – Erika Regalado, MD
Associate Clinical Dean (UK) – Stephen Ash, MD, FRCP
Assistant Clinical Dean (UK) – Ian Scobie, MD, FRCP
UCLan Program Lead (UK Track) – Susan Jamieson, BSc, PhD
Interim Assistant Dean, Student Affairs – Angela Walden Weaver, PhD
Assistant Dean, Service-Learning and Community Affairs – Natalie Humphrey, PhD
Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Cecil W. Cone II, MD
Chair, Basic Medical Sciences, Sint Maarten campus – Gautam Ullal, MBBS, PhD, MAMS
Chair, Clinical Medical Sciences, Sint Maarten campus – Magdalena Kwiatkowska, MD, PhD
Sint Maarten Campus Administrator – Gerard Lake
University Registrar – Ologa Iopu
Immigration Officer – Sumita Ellis
Director of UK Track Operations – Catherine Rankin

MEDICAL SCIENCES FACULTY ON THE SINT MAARTEN CAMPUS

Dr. Maryna Al-Fauri Dr. Cecil Cone II Dr. Brian Patson

Dr. Torik Ayoubi Dr. Jennifer Douglin Dr. Gregory Plochocki
Dr. Ravindra Beedimani Dr. Ryan Downey Dr. Alexey Podcheko
Dr. Kalkidan Bekele Dr. Beatriz Finkel-Jimenez Dr. Daniel Quinn
Dr. Earl Best Dr. Gregory Frederick Dr. Dipali Rinker
Ms. Teri Boese Dr. Shorma Houston Dr. David Rodda
Dr. Jalika Breaux Dr. Natalie Humphrey Dr. Jacqueline Stanley
Dr. Alisa Chebotarova Dr. Magdalena Kwiatkowska Dr. Gautam Ullal
Dr. Ivegen Chebotarov Dr. Marcin Kwiatkowski Dr. Maria Teresa
Dr. Naira Chobanyan Dr. Mary Lucero Villagomez-Montero
Dr. Raymond Colello Dr. Wandikayi Matowe

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MEDICAL SCIENCES FACULTY IN THE UK TRACK

Dr. Mazin Al-Salihi Dr. Eric Gyan Dr. Sreeshma Padiyath

Dr. Abass Alhassan Rosanne Holden Dr. Pinkesh Rao
Jennifer Blakelidge Dr. Vaishali Khatri Dr. Mohammed
Dr. Lawrence Nike Barrero Claire McKenna Shamssain
Briceno Dr. Michelle Monteil Dr. Eshita Sharmin
Dr. Peter Chovanec Dr. Sirina Muntaka Dr. Gargi Soni
Dr. Sujit Ralin Daniel Dr. Sareesh Naduvil Dr. Steven Thomson
Dr. Zsolt Fabian Dr. Darren Ó hAilín Dr. Jenny Watts

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APPENDIX A: AUC SCHOLARSHIPS

ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

This $15,000 scholarship is awarded to students who have a solid overall undergraduate GPA or
MCAT score. This scholarship is automatically awarded to qualified, incoming first-semester AUC
students only. (The award amount was updated for students accepted on or after May 8, 2023.
Previously awarded amounts for current students will not change).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (BEGINNING IN THE MAY 2021 SEMESTER):

• Minimum undergraduate overall GPA of 3.00* or a minimum MCAT score of 490 (current
version of the MCAT).
• Hold an offer of admission to AUC as a first-semester student

AWARD DETAILS

• $1,500 will be awarded for each semester of enrollment of the MD program, during the
first ten (10) semesters of enrollment where tuition charges are applied in the semester,
with a maximum lifetime value of $15,000.
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award amount
of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match total tuition
assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any
remaining amount from the award would be carried forward until the lifetime maximum is
met.
• If you qualify for more than one scholarship, you must choose one.

For incoming student admitted prior to the May 2021 semester, the eligibility requirements were
a minimum undergraduate overall GPA of 3.30* or a minimum MCAT score of 500 and hold an
offer of admission to AUC as a first-semester student.

*Undergrad/Bachelor's GPA

DEAN'S ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

This $25,000 scholarship is awarded to students who have a solid overall undergraduate GPA or
MCAT score. This scholarship is automatically awarded to qualified, incoming first-semester AUC
students only. (The award amount was updated for students accepted on or after May 8, 2023.
Previously awarded amounts for current students will not change).

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum undergraduate overall GPA of 3.50* or a minimum MCAT score of 505 (current
version of the MCAT).
• Hold an offer of admission to AUC as a first-semester student

AWARD DETAILS

• $2,500 will be awarded for each semester of enrollment of the MD program, during the
first ten (10) semesters of enrollment where tuition charges are applied in the semester,
with a maximum lifetime value of $25,000.
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award amount
of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match total tuition
assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any
remaining amount from the award would be carried forward until the lifetime maximum is
met.
• If you qualify for more than one scholarship, you must choose one.

*Undergrad/Bachelor's GPA

TRUSTEES ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

This $45,000 scholarship is awarded to students who have a solid overall undergraduate GPA or
MCAT score. This scholarship is automatically awarded to qualified, incoming first-semester AUC
students only. (The award amount was updated for students accepted on or after May 8,
[Link] awarded amounts for current students will not change).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum undergraduate overall GPA of 3.70* or a minimum MCAT score of 510 (current
version of the MCAT).
• Hold an offer of admission to AUC as a first-semester student

AWARD DETAILS

• $4,500 will be awarded for each semester of enrollment of the MD program, typically the
first ten (10) semesters of enrollment where tuition charges are applied in the semester,
with a maximum lifetime value of $45,000.
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award amount
of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match total tuition
assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any
remaining amount from the award would be carried forward until the lifetime maximum is
met.

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• If you qualify for more than one scholarship, you must choose one.

*Undergrad/Bachelor's GPA

FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL

This $50,000 scholarship is awarded to students who are striving to be first-generation physicians
within their immediate families (includes spouse/partner, sibling, child by blood, adoption or
marriage, grandparent, and grandchild).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Incoming first-semester students and transfer students are eligible for this scholarship
• Hold an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s level)
• Complete the award application
• Personal essay (minimum of 500 words): How will the experience of being a first-
generation physician within your immediate family impact the patients and communities
you will ultimately serve? In addition, please share the educational and employment
background of your immediate family.
• Applicants must hold an offer of admission to AUC for this scholarship to be awarded.
• If a transfer student is accepted, granted advanced standing, and scholarship-eligible, that
student’s maximum award amount is dependent on his/her semester of placement, and
the lifetime maximum award will be prorated.

AWARD DETAILS

• $10,000 will be awarded for each semester of enrollment of the MD program, during the
first five (5) semesters of enrollment where tuition charges are applied in the semester,
with a maximum lifetime value of $50,000. In the event the total tuition assessed is less
than the scheduled semester award amount of all eligible scholarships, the total semester
award is prorated to match total tuition assessed for the term. This does not impact the
lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any remaining amount from the award would be
carried forward until the lifetime maximum is met.

Award application is sent to the scholarship committee for review and selection is based on the
essay and LOR (if required).

The required documentation can be provided via email at scholarships@[Link] or mailed

directly to AUC (with attention to the Scholarship Committee) at this address:

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

10315 USA Today Way

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Miramar, FL 33025

Note: Though AUC's Scholarship Committee will review award applications as they are
received, this scholarship will only be officially awarded to applicants who hold an offer of
admission to AUC.

MERP SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP

The MERP Success Scholarship to awarded to incoming students that have successfully
completed the MERP program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of MERP with a 70% grade or higher (*refer to benefit tier table)
• Matriculation to AUC for the MD program

AWARD DETAILS

• Scholarship awards ranging from $15,000 to $45,000

• Actual award amount determined by MERP grade (*refer to benefit tier table)
• Allocation of scholarship money will be spread out evenly between semesters 3-10 of the
MD program
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award amount
of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match total tuition
assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any
remaining amount from the award would be carried forward until the lifetime maximum is
met.

*BENEFIT TIERS
MERP GRADE TUITION AMOUNT
70-89% $15,000
80-89% $25,000
90%+ $45,000

MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR CANADIAN CITIZENS

This $80,000 USD scholarship is awarded to qualified applicants who are Canadian citizens,
permanent residents of Canada, or those who hold dual US-Canadian citizenship.

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ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS

• Canadian citizenship, Canadian permanent resident status, or dual US-Canada

citizenship
• Incoming first-semester students and transfer students are eligible for this scholarship
• Hold an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s level)
• Applicants must hold an offer of admission to AUC for the scholarship to be awarded
• If a transfer student is accepted, granted advanced standing, and scholarship-eligible, that
student’s maximum award amount is dependent on his/her semester of placement and
the lifetime maximum award will be prorated.

AWARD DETAILS

• $8,000 will be awarded each semester of enrollment of the MD program, during ten (10)
semesters of enrollment, where tuition charges are applied in the semester, with a
maximum lifetime value of $80,000.
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award amount
of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match total tuition
assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any
remaining amount from the award would be carried forward until the lifetime maximum is
met.

*For incoming students beginning January 2021 onward. Previous Canadian Scholarship
recipients should refer to their original award letter for award amounts.

How to Qualify: This scholarship will be awarded to qualified applicants during the enrollment
process, after submission of a completed application to AUC.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AWARD

This scholarship has a lifetime value of up to $30,000. It is awarded to students who have shown
exceptional dedication to their communities, hospitals, or charities. A $10,000 scholarship award
is applied towards tuition costs for a maximum of 3 consecutive semesters.

AUC's Scholarship Committee reviews applications and awards scholarships on a weekly basis.
If you have questions or further documentation to submit, please
email scholarships@[Link].

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Incoming first-semester students and transfer students are eligible for this scholarship
• Hold an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s level)

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• Complete the award application

• Personal statement, not to exceed 500 words, describing your participation in outreach
activities, including communities, hospitals, charities, etc. The statement should describe
why these activities are important to you and provide in-depth description of one activity.
• Letter of recommendation from a community partner or leader who can attest to your
commitment and involvement in community outreach activities
• Applicants must hold an offer of admission to AUC for the scholarship to be awarded

AWARD AMOUNT

• $10,000 will be awarded for each semester of enrollment of AUC’s MD program, across
three (3) semesters of enrollment, where tuition charges are applied in the semester, with
a maximum lifetime value of $30,000.
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award amount
of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match total tuition
assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any
remaining amount from the award would be carried forward until the lifetime maximum is
met.

Award application is sent to the scholarship committee for review, and selection is based on the
personal statement and letter of recommendation.

Required documentation can be provided via email at scholarships@[Link] or mailed

directly to AUC (with attention to the Scholarship Committee) at this address:

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

10315 USA Today Way
Miramar, FL 33025

Note: Though AUC's Scholarship Committee will review award applications as they are
received, this scholarship will only be officially awarded to applicants who hold an offer of
admission to AUC.

ALUMNI HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP

Covering the full cost of tuition for first semester, this scholarship is awarded to students who
have a work/volunteer history with an AUC graduate and meet eligibility requirements listed
below.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Hold an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s level)

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• Complete the award application

• 1 letter of recommendation from an AUC graduate, specifically outlining your involvement
with the graduate
• Personal essay on the following topic: How has your experience with an AUC
alumnus/alumna positively impacted your personal or professional development?
• Hold an offer of admission to AUC
• This scholarship is open to incoming students only

AWARD AMOUNT

Full cost of tuition – one-time award for first semester

Required documentation can be provided via email at scholarships@[Link] or mailed

directly to AUC (with attention to the Scholarship Committee) at this address:

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

10315 USA Today Way
Miramar, FL 33025

Note: Though AUC's Scholarship Committee will review award applications as they are
received, this scholarship will only be officially awarded to applicants who hold an offer of
admission to AUC.

Award application is sent to the scholarship committee for review, and selection is based on the
essay and Letter or Recommendation.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

A $5,000 scholarship awarded to qualified applicants who have graduated Mississippi College
M.S. Biology (Medical Sciences) program. This scholarship is renewable for one additional
semester.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of Mississippi College M.S. Biology (Medical Sciences) program

• Minimum of 3.0 GPA in at least 3 of the 5 medical courses outlined below in the M.S.
Biology (Medical Sciences) program at Mississippi College:
o Human Gross Anatomy
o Medical Physiology
o Histology
o Human Neuroanatomy
o Human Embryology

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• "Recommendation without reservation" letter from Program Director at Mississippi

College’s M.S. Biology (Medical Sciences) program
• Hold an offer of admission to AUC
• This scholarship is open to incoming students only

AWARD DETAILS

• Award Amount: $5,000 will be awarded for each semester of enrollment of the MD
program, during the first two (2) semesters of enrollment, where tuition charges are
applied in the semester, with a maximum lifetime value of $10,000.
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award
amount of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match
total tuition assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of
the scholarship, any remaining amount from the award would be carried forward
until the lifetime maximum is met.

Required documentation can be provided via email at scholarships@[Link] or mailed

directly to AUC (with attention to the Scholarship Committee) at this address:

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

10315 USA Today Way
Miramar, FL 33025

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

This $80,000 scholarship is awarded to applicants who are citizens or permanent residents of a
country outside of the United States or Canada.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• This scholarship will only be awarded to citizens/permanent residents of countries outside

the United States or Canada
• Students who hold dual US-Canadian citizenship are not eligible for this scholarship
• Incoming first-semester students and transfer students are eligible for this scholarship
• Hold an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s level)
• Applicants must hold an offer of admission to AUC for the scholarship to be awarded
• If a transfer student is accepted, granted advanced standing, and scholarship-eligible, that
student’s maximum award amount is dependent on his/her semester of placement and
the lifetime maximum value will be prorated.

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AWARD DETAILS

• $8,000 will be awarded each semester of enrollment of the MD program, during ten (10)
semesters of enrollment, where tuition charges are applied in the semester, with a
maximum lifetime value of $80,000.
• In the event the total tuition assessed is less than the scheduled semester award amount
of all eligible scholarships, the total semester award is prorated to match total tuition
assessed for the term. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of the scholarship, any
remaining amount from the award would be carried forward until the lifetime maximum is
met.

HOW TO QUALIFY: This scholarship will be awarded to qualified applicants during the enrollment
process, after submission of a completed application to AUC.

SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AWARD

The AUC Social Accountability Award recognizes students who have made contributions to the
communities of St. Maarten during their medical sciences education.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a currently enrolled 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th semester student (UK Track students
are not eligible)
• Complete the award application
• Personal essay: Please describe contributions you have made to the communities of St.
Maarten, what you have you learned about the community and yourself through
community engagement, how the experiences have contributed to your personal and
professional development, and your plan for continued engagement during your
enrollment at AUC.

Award application is sent to the scholarship committee for review, and selection is based on the
essay.

AWARD AMOUNT: $5,000 one-time award towards tuition (applied the following semester)
For application deadline visit [Link]/admissions/scholarships

THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY (TRU) PARTNER SCHOLARSHIP

This one-time $7,500 scholarship is awarded to students who have graduated from Thompson
Rivers University (TRU) within the last 5 years.

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Students must have graduated from TRU within the last five 5 years
• Hold an offer of admission to AUC as a first-semester student

AWARD AMOUNT: $7,500 one-time scholarship is awarded for the first semester of enrollment
at AUC.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AWARD

The AUC Student Engagement Award recognizes students whose activities as part of the campus
community have helped to enhance and foster the AUC culture of collaboration.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a currently enrolled 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th semester student (UK Track students
are not eligible)
• Complete the award application
• Personal essay: Please describe your involvement with the AUC campus community,
including contributions to campus leadership, how your engagement with the campus
community has supported your development and your peers’ development as future
physicians, and your plan for continued engagement during your enrollment at AUC.

Award application is sent to the scholarship committee for review, and selection is based on the
essay.

AWARD AMOUNT: $5,000 one-time award towards tuition (applied the following semester)
For application deadline visit [Link]/admissions/scholarships

AUC/SINT MAARTEN PARTNERSHIP TUITION SCHOLARSHIP

AUC Application form submitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports:
Antonio Aventurin, Division Head
Division of Study Financing: Ministry of Education,
Vlaun Building, N. De Brot Street 3, Philipsburg, Sin Maarten

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Incoming first semester students

• Citizen of Sint Maarten

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING RECIPIENTS FROM THE GROUP OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

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• The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports selects from eligible applicants

AWARD CRITERIA

The criteria for determining the amount of a student’s award: Maximum of 4 awarded per
year. Covers tuition for semesters 1-10.

GLOBAL SCHOLARS BURSARY AWARD

Partial bursary awards are available to non-US or non-Canadian citizen/permanent residents
entering the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine Four-Year MD Program,
UK Track. The Global Scholars Bursary award is committed to promoting a student body made
up of diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds specifically within the UK track, which will
contribute to a worldwide medical community. Partial-tuition bursary are awarded to international
students who exhibit academic excellence, demonstrate financial need and will return to their
home countries as physicians dedicated to the enhancement of medical care systems.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Granting of this award is based on student status as non-US, non-Canadian citizenship or

permanent resident status.
• Awardee must hold an offer of admission to AUC
• Awardee must matriculate into AUC at stated term and track
• Awardee must be: non-US citizen, non-Canadian citizen, non-US and non-Canadian
permanent resident status
• Hold an undergraduate or graduate GPA of 2.25 or higher
• Only incoming first-semester students are eligible for this bursary award

CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY
• Demonstrate financial need by displaying evidence of financial support which includes,
but is not limited to:
o Family bank statements.
o Documentation from a sponsor.
o Scholarship letters.

AWARD DETAILS

• Award dollars are based on individual performance and vary in $10,000 increments
• Award dollars are decided upon by the Director of Admissions
• After full net value of award is confirmed, the award will be distributed amongst all 10
semesters
• Once eligible by meeting the aforementioned criteria, the student will be notified by the
admissions representative of the award

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• The admissions representative will notify Student Finance, Student Accounts, and
Finance, once the student has accepted
• Student Finance will reduce student loans, if necessary, to accommodate the award and
notify the student.
• Awards are disbursed to the student account prior to the first week of school, pending
registration is completed.

No separate application is required for the Global Bursary award. Requests may be made to
International Director of Admissions, email: AUCInternational@[Link]

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Medical Sciences Campuses

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

#1 University Drive at Jordan Road
Cupecoy, Sint Maarten
Tel: +1 721 545 2298

UK Track Location
University of Central Lancashire
Vernon Building
Preston, Lancashire
PR1 2HE
Tel: +44 (0)1772 201 201

Administrative Offices

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

10315 USA Today Way
Miramar, FL 33025
Tel: +1 305 446 0600

This document is current as of the date of publication. From time to time, it may be necessary or
desirable for AUC to make changes to this Course Catalog and Student Handbook due to the
requirements and standards of AUC’s accrediting body, state licensing agencies or U.S.
Department of Education or other reasons. AUC reserves the right to make changes at any time

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to any provision of this Course Catalog and Student Handbook, including the amount of tuition
and fees, courses, school policies and procedures, faculty and administrative staff, the school
calendar and additional dates, and other provisions. Students will be notified of changes on the
campus website.

© 2023 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. All rights reserved.

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