MD Requirements

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Louisville School of Medicine must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of the medical school curriculum and USMLE Steps 1 and 2 examinations.
2. Satisfactory demonstration of ability, ethical character, responsibility, integrity and personal characteristics suitable for a career in the practice of medicine.
3. Satisfactory discharge of all financial obligations to the University.
4. Students with federal loans and grants must attend a group or individual exit interview with the Medical Student Financial Aid Office and complete the exit interview information sheet as required by federal regulations before Commencement of the year in which graduating.

To satisfy the second requirement above, students must comply with the rules and regulation of the University, the School of Medicine, and the laws of the city, state and federal governments.  In addition, students are expected to possess and display physical stamina, effective interpersonal skills and personal qualities consistent with the expectations of society and the medical profession.  Consequently, the Dean, in accordance with the procedures set forth in The Redbook, may consider any questions of a student's unwillingness, failure, or inability to fulfill these expectations to be an academic matter.

The School of Medicine may terminate the attendance of any student at any time or strike from the list of candidates for the degree any student whom the Dean determines is or will be unable to satisfy the standards of professional fitness required of all candidates for the Doctor of Medicine degree.  Conduct that may result in such a determination by the Dean includes but is not necessarily limited to academic dishonesty, neglect of study, and illegal or inappropriate behavior. 

Course Requirements

Year One

Clinical Anatomy, Development & Physical Examination (CADE): 19-week course in fall semester that integrates Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Physical Examination content by body region.

Molecular Basis of Life, Defense and Disease: 16-week course in spring semester that integrates foundational biochemistry, medical genetics, immunology, tissue and body fluid physiology, pathology, and pharmacology to introduce immunologic function in disease and health; normal cellular and tissue histology in health, injury, and healing; foundational microbiology; and mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of neoplastic and hematologic diseases.

Introduction to Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Medicine: 2-week course in spring semester that concentrates principles of biomedical research, foundational statistics, medical informatics, and application of evidence to patient care.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 1 (ICM 1): two-semester course that covers foundational patient interviewing skills, professionalism and ethics, medical system structure and health disparities, cultural competency, provision of health maintenance and use of health guidelines.

Year Two

Human Systems in Health and Disease 1: 19-week course in fall semester that integrates the normal physiology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, nutritional/metabolic, and endocrine systems with their pathophysiologic function in disease, progression from normal histologic appearance to pathologic appearance, infecting microbes, and applicable pharmacologic treatments.

Human Systems in Health and Disease 2: 14-week course in spring semester that integrates the normal physiology of the reproductive, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, and behavioral systems as well as neurologic system diseases with their pathophysiologic function in disease, progression from normal histologic appearance to pathologic appearance, infecting microbes, and applicable pharmacologic treatments.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 2 (ICM 2): two semester course that covers advanced clinical communication skills, specialized physical examination techniques, advanced medical ethics, medical socioeconomics and healthcare laws.

Year Three

Third Year core clerkships run concurrently throughout the academic year from July to June. The sequence of clerkships is organized on a track basis. Core clerkships include 6 weeks of Family Medicine, 8 weeks of Internal Medicine, 4 weeks of Neurology, 6 weeks of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6 weeks of Pediatrics, 6 weeks of Psychiatry, and 8 weeks of Surgery.

There are no required electives in the third year, however, there are 6 weeks in the third-year schedule that can be used for electives or for vacation. Up to 4 of the 6 weeks can be used for career exploration electives; other types of electives can be taken during the remaining 2 weeks that are available.

Year Four

Fourth Year runs concurrently throughout the academic year from July to early May. Required clinical rotations include 4 weeks of an Acting Internship, 2 weeks of Critical Care, 1 week of Palliative Care, and 26-28 weeks of electives. In addition, students must complete Topics in Clinical Medicine and Advanced Cardiac Life Support courses.

Time Limit for Completion of the MD Degree

A student must complete all degree requirements within six (6) years of enrolling in the School of Medicine.  This time period includes, leave of absence, the repeat of an academic year, and additional time to take and pass USMLE Steps 1, and 2.  A student who does not complete all degree requirements within this time period will be subject to dismissal.

Three-year Rural Medicine Accelerated Track (RMAT) Requirements at Trover Campus

The RMAT track may enroll up to two students annually and must require students to complete all of the core objectives and assessments of the four-year MD program as well as a minimum of 130 weeks of instruction prior to graduation. RMAT candidates must also complete additional program objectives and assessments related to their ability to evaluate and address community health needs in a rural setting. Several RMAT-only courses within this track fulfill the required objectives for courses that are not completed by RMAT students and contain the required assessments or equivalent assessments for those courses. Specifically, the courses that are added to the curriculum for RMAT students are: RMAT-1, RMAT-2, RMAT-3, RMAT-4, and RMAT-5 as well as the longitudinal primary care clinic placement during the third year. These courses and requirements are placed in RMAT to fulfill the programmatic objective and assessment requirements found within the M3 Family Medicine Clerkship, the M4 Acting Internship, and M4 Palliative Care Rotation, and the M4 Intensive Care Unit Rotation.