MD Program Policy: Curriculum and Student Review

The purpose of this policy is to outline curriculum graduation requirements and committee review processes related to advancement, graduation, and dismissal.

Definitions

MD Curriculum: The ForWard curriculum (leading to the MD degree) began with the matriculating class of 2016 and consists of three phases of integrated courses. Courses are integrated across departments and specialties and between the “basic sciences” and clinical medicine.

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP or MD/PhD): The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) integrated graduate training in scientific research and clinical medicine, leading to a combined MD/PhD degree. The program’s primary goal is to produce physician-scientists who will make major contributions to the understanding and improvement of human health.

Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM): The Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine is a rural education program within the MD Program curriculum at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. Medical students who are enrolled in this four-year program will learn to develop the skills and have opportunities to participate in a rural setting.

  • Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine excellence in Rural Residencies (WARMeRR) is expedited, competency-based, “accelerated-track” within the WARM program intended to advance a small cohort of WARM students to rural practice in Wisconsin a year sooner than the traditional MD program. These students will complete the same core content and achieve the same graduation competencies in 3 rather than the standard 4 years of the MD program. The WARMeRR track is integrated with partner graduate medical education residency programs, allowing longitudinal training from medical school through residency as well as longitudinal connection with an underserved rural community.

Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) Program: TRIUMPH is a program within the MD Program curriculum that focuses on training medical students who are committed to providing health care for urban populations and reducing health disparities. The Milwaukee-based program integrates clinical medicine and community and public health in a combined third- and fourth-year curriculum.

Paths of Distinction (PoDs): Paths of Distinction (PoDs) are programs within the MD Program curriculum that organize existing and new courses and service-learning experiences for students seeking to better integrate medicine with the specific focus area of their chosen Path.

Student Promotion and Academic Review Committee (SPARC): The group of faculty, staff, and student members that is charged with monitoring performance of all medical students and reviewing those medical students who fail to meet academic or professionalism standards or requirements.

Competency Review Committee (CRC): The group of faculty and staff serving as a centralized committee charged with reviewing a students’ competency in all (6) domains of the ForWard Curriculum. The CRC applies only to students in the ForWard Curriculum and all SMPH Graduation Competencies

Longitudinal Teacher/ Coach (LTC): The faculty member assigned to a student in the ForWard Curriculum to review their progress to competency across the six competency domains and jointly create competency and skill development plans. This may be a single faculty member or may be a pair of faculty members then referred to as the “coach dyad”.

Voting Member: Member of the committee permitted to vote on any action before the committee.

Ex Officio Member: Member serves an advisory capacity to the committee and does not have a vote unless specifically appointed to do so for a single meeting to obtain committee quorum.

Policy Details

Curriculum Requirements

  1. Curriculum Phase 1 Requirements
    1. Total 54 credits
      1. Year 1 Fall Semester
        1. Patients, Professionalism, and Public Health (PPP)
        2. Body in Balance (BiB)
      2.  Year 1 Spring Semester
        1. Food, Fasting, and Fitness (FFF)
        2. Human Family Tree (HFT)
      3. Year 2 Fall Semester
        1. Invaders and Defense (I&D)
        2. Mind and Motion (M&M)

  2. Curriculum Phase 2 Requirements (Year 2, Spring – Year 3, Fall)
    1. Total 48 credits
      1. Specialized Care of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Pediatric Patients (SCOPE)
      2. Chronic and Preventive Care (CPC)
      3. Acute Care (AC)
      4. Surgical and Procedural Care (SPC)

  3. Curriculum Phase 3 Requirements (Year 3, Spring – Year 4, Spring)
    1. Total 50 credits at 800 level or above, inclusive of the specific courses listed below
    2. Required courses – 16 credits
      1. Inpatient Acting Internship (IAI) – 4 credits
      2. Ambulatory Acting Internship (AAI) – 4 credits
      3. Public Health Selectives– 4 credits
      4. Basic Science Selectives– 4 credits
    3. Elective courses – 24 credits
      1. Patient care credits at UWSMPH Madison and statewide campus sites- minimum of 16 credits
      2. Unrestricted elective credits – minimum of 18 credits

  4. Curriculum Phase 1 Requirements WARMeRR
    1. Phase 1 requirements in the WARMeRR program are unchanged from the traditional MD program requirements

  5. Curriculum Phase 2 Requirements WARMeRR
    1. 46 total credits, 47 total weeks
      1. One Phase 2 block of 10 weeks duration, taken the summer after M1 year
      2. Three Phase 2 blocks, each of 12-weeks duration
      3. One week of non-credit WARM Welcome

  6. Curriculum Phase 3 Requirements for WARMeRR
    1. 22 total credits
    2. The Phase 3 requirements for students in the WARMeRR track are as follows:

      Phase 3 WARMeRR Requirements
      Phase 3 Course WARMeRR credits/weeks
      Inpatient Acting Internship 4
      Ambulatory Acting Internship 4
      Public Health Selective 2
      Basic Science Selective 2
      Electives defined as follows:
      • Unrestricted electives
      • Patient Care Electives - must be done at UWSMPH Madison and Statewide campus sites
      		 10 total electives (minimum)
      • 6
      • At least 4
      Total 22 credits

Graduation Requirements

  1. Curriculum Graduation Requirements
    1. Students must complete the curriculum and pass all curricular assessments as appropriate based on matriculation and graduation date or as mandated by the Student Promotion and Academic Review Committee (SPARC).
    2. SPARC may modify degree requirements through an individualized academic plan (IAP).
    3. Students are responsible for auditing their progress toward completion of degree requirements via the OASIS Course Requirements Report. The Course Requirements Report updates are in real-time and is selectable from the “Degree Progress” menu of students’ OASIS main pages.
    4. Additional Graduation Requirements
      1. Maintain appropriate professional conduct and meet the Professional Code of Behavior (see Section 11 Professionalism & Professional Behavior in the MD Student Handbook)
      2. Pass USMLE Step 1
      3. Pass USMLE Step 2 CK

  2. Request to transfer to traditional MD program from the WARM program
    1. Students admitted to the WARM program must fulfill all requirements of the WARM program for training and education at their WARM clinical site
    2. A student admitted to the WARM program may petition SPARC to transfer to the traditional MD program under the following conditions:
      1. They obtain written approval from the WARM Program Director
      2. The student’s written petition for transfer clearly documents that the transferring student’s education can only be completed at UWSMPH and states why the student’s WARM site cannot fulfill the training needs of the student.

  3. Request to transfer to traditional MD program from MSTP program
    1. Students admitted to the MSTP program must fulfill all requirements of the program for training and education
    2. A student admitted to the MSTP program may petition SPARC to transfer to the traditional MD program under the following conditions:
      1. They obtain written approval from the MSTP Director
      2. The student’s written petition for transfer clearly documents that the transferring student’s educational path cannot be completed in the MSTP program.

  4. Request to transfer back to the traditional MD program from the TRIUMPH program
    1. Students selected for the TRIUMPH program must fulfill all requirements of the TRIUMPH program for training and education in Milwaukee
    2. A student selected for the TRIUMPH program may petition SPARC to transfer back to the traditional MD program under the following conditions:
      1. They obtain written approval from the TRIUMPH Program Director
      2. The student’s written petition for transfer clearly documents that the transferring student’s education can only be completed at UWSMPH and states why the student’s Milwaukee site cannot fulfill the training needs of the student.

  5. Credits from Second Degree Programs 
    1. Students enrolled in a UW-Madison dual-degree program may apply credits from their non-MD degree (e.g., MPH or PhD) toward Phase 3 credit requirements, as defined below.
    2. Curricular Option A: UW-Madison MD/PhD dual-degree program students returning to the standard curriculum for their M4 year will have the following requirements:

      Curricular Option A
      Course Credits Weeks
      IAI 4 4
      AAI 4 (met by Medicine 902) 4
      Public Health Selective 2 (met by Medicine 902) 4
      Electives: direct patient care at UW or statewide campus 10 (credits earned in Medicine 903 count toward this requirement) 10
      Electives-unrestricted 12 (8 credits met by PhD credit transfer) 12
      Total 32 32
      1. 8 credits from their non-MD degree (PhD) counting toward unrestricted elective credit requirements for Phase 3
      2. 2 credits from their non-MD degree (PhD) counting toward the Public Health selective credit requirements for Phase 3
      3. 4 credits from their non-MD degree (PhD) meet the Basic Science selective credit requirements for Phase 3
    1. Curricular Option B: This option for UW-Madison MD/PhD dual-degree program students returning to the standard curriculum for their M4 year has distinct requirements and students should consult their MSTP advisor regarding those requirements
    2. Students in a UW-Madison MD/MPH dual-degree program who begin the MPH curriculum after their completion of Phase 2 may receive the following exemptions, which only apply to these students:
      1. 6 credits of unrestricted elective credit requirements for Phase 3
      2. 4 credits of Public Health selective credit requirements for Phase 3
      3. Students in the UW-Madison MD/MPH dual-degree program who begin the MPH degree prior to matriculation into the MD program, and thus prior to completion of Phase 2, are ineligible for any Phase 3 credit exemptions.6 credits of unrestricted elective credit requirements for Phase 3
  1. Special Educational and Certificate Programs. These include WARM, TRIUMPH, PoD, and the global health certificate program.
    1. To participate in a Path of Distinction or Global Health Certificate, students must be in good academic standing or a receive specific exception to remain enrolled in a special educational program
    2. Special educational programs set out additional course or experiential requirements for completion.
    3. Special programs may establish additional, specific criteria for selection and maintenance of participation
    4. Program requirements may overlap with the requirements of the MD Program.
    5. MD program electives may be used for completion of special program requirements.

  2. Elective Courses. Students take elective courses during the Phase 3 to complete the requirements for graduation. Students may choose from a combination of UWSMPH electives, extramural electives (U.S. or international sites), individualized clerkships, and research.
    1. As part of an individualized academic plan with prior approval by the Dean for Students and/or SPARC, up to 4 credits of Phase 3 research elective course work may be taken by a student in Phase 1 or Phase 2 to count toward Phase 3 graduation requirements.
    2. Low Credit Density (LCD) electives
      1. Phase 2 students are not eligible to take LCD electives.
      2. Phase 3 Low Credit Density (LCD) longitudinal courses are defined as courses scheduled for an average of 0.25 credits per week or less.
      3. A student may be enrolled in a maximum of one LCD and one standard course simultaneously.
      4. If enrolling in multiple LCD courses, total credit load for a student cannot exceed 1 credit per week.
      5. Students are responsible for reconciling course scheduling conflicts while adhering to existing Phase 3 attendance, absence, and work hour policies.
        1. If there are course scheduling conflicts that cannot be resolved, LCD courses will defer to the standard courses.

  3. Extramural Electives
    1. Students in good academic standing may apply for extramural courses during their final year/phase of medical school. Applications are accepted through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO), or directly with a host institution for extramural elective clinical rotations.
    2. Students in unsatisfactory academic standing are not automatically approved and must receive explicit approval from the Dean for Students or their designee.
    3. The Visiting Student Coordinator or student services staff member reviews and approves all requests for extramural electives, including educational experiences outside of other LCME-accredited institutions.
    4. Medical students must obey the current laws of the State of Wisconsin regarding pregnancy termination and abortion care when participating in clinical training within the state.
    5. Medical students doing extramural electives at an accredited institution with a current affiliation agreement in place will work under the supervision of the institution’s faculty and must obey the laws of the city and state in which they are completing the rotation, including provision of family planning health care.
    6.  International extramural electives are limited to a total of 8 weeks/8 credits in Phase 3.
    7. Affiliation Agreement
      1. Students are responsible for securing an affiliation agreement between UWSMPH and their host institution prior to starting any extramural rotation.
      2. An in-place affiliation agreement is required to ensure students receive academic credit and liability protection. Visiting students must qualify as agents of the state for purposes of liability coverage. For this distinction, the university must exercise substantial control over the requirements of the training or internship as evidenced by a written student affiliation agreement. If a student participates in an extramural rotation without an agreement in place, they may not be eligible for state-provided liability coverage and may not receive academic credit.

  4. Extramural Electives Procedures
    1. After conditional approval for an extramural elective, students are responsible for the coordination of a signed affiliation agreement between UWSMPH and the host institution, if one does not already exist. This verification will occur automatically if applying through the AAMC’s VSLO portal.
    2. For extramural electives secured outside of VSLO, students must forward their conditional approval offer to the SMPH Visiting Student Coordinator (awayrotations@med.wisc.edu(opens in a new tab))( to determine whether an agreement is in place and, if needed, initiate the agreement process.
    3. Students must provide contact information for the individual at the host institution who will facilitate review and signature on behalf of the host institution. Affiliation agreements are generally processed in one week or less but may take up to six weeks or more. Students are advised to contact the Contracts Coordinator as soon as possible.
      1. When registering, students are responsible for entering their extramural elective and all relevant information into OASIS prior to the start of the rotation.
        1. If a student does not register for the extramural elective in OASIS prior to the start date of the course, the student will not receive degree credit for the rotation, the course will not be assigned a grade, and the comments from the course will not appear in the student’s MSPE unless approved by the Dean for Students as a one-time exception for a single course.
        2. When registering, students must drop any existing course on their schedule that conflicts with the date of the extramural elective prior to adding the extramural elective to their OASIS schedule.
        3. Failure to register the extramural elective in OASIS prior to the course start date is considered a violation of professional responsibility and judgment.
    4. If a student drops an extramural elective, they must drop this course from their OASIS schedule at least 24 hours prior to the start date of the course.
      1. If a student does not drop the course from their OASIS schedule at least 24 hours prior to the start date of the course, the student will be assigned a grade of DR for the course and the course grade will remain in the student’s transcript.
    5. Students must provide their host institution with a current UW School of Medicine and Public Health Extramural Clinical Assessment Form or Research Credit Student Assessment Form. Found in OASIS>Notices>General Information>Forms & Instructions>Y4> AWAY Rotation Clinical Assessment or Research Credit Student Assessment Form.
      1. Upon receipt of the SMPH clinical or research assessment form, the SMPH Visiting Student Coordinator enters summative and formative comments as well as the assigned grade into Acuity.
      2. For those institutions that do not use or follow the SMPH clinical assessment form, their formative assessment is entered verbatim and summative information converted to the SMPH grading schema.

Student Review Committees

  1. Responsibility of the CRC
    1. The CRC is responsible for determining if a student is meeting competency expectation in all six Competency Domains or if a student is progressing toward competence with some concern.
    2. Students determined to be meeting competency expectation in all 6 Competency Domains by the joint assessment of the student and coach will receive a brief review by the CRC.
    3. The following students will undergo more thorough review by the CRC:
      1. Any student who receives a “progressing toward competence with some concern” rating in any of the 6 competency domains;
      2. Any student who receives an “unacceptable” rating in any Competency Domain or sub-competency scale;
      3. Any student for whom there is a difference between the student and the coach in any of the 6 Competency Domains.

  2. Student Review by the CRC:
    Following review, the following actions may be taken.
    1. Approve a learning plan submitted by the student and developed in conjunction with the coach to address deficits in the student’s performance, then review the student again to assess progress on the learning plan
    2. Amend a learning plan submitted by the student and the LTC
    3. Refer the student to Student Services for further evaluation and assistance
    4. Refer the student to SPARC

  3. Composition of the CRC
    1. Voting members of the CRC include:
      1. Member(s) of EPCC
      2. Director of the Longitudinal Teacher Coaches
      3. Phase 1 Director
      4. Phase 2 Director
      5. Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Services
    2. Ex officio members include
      1. Dean for Students
      2. Other faculty and staff as needed

  4. Access to Student Records by CRC
    The CRC is empowered to review all data pertaining to a student’s competency in all domains of the ForWard Curriculum. This includes but is not limited to:
    1. Student reflections, self-assessments and learning plans
    2. Coach/dyad assessment and narrative feedback
    3. Report of the joint assessment between the student and coach/dyad
  1. Responsibilities of SPARC
    1. Review of the academic progress and course of study for any student not in good academic standing
    2. Review and rule on allegations of student violations of the Professional Behavior Code
    3. The committee is empowered to establish individualized academic plans and levy sanctions or other disciplinary actions.
    4. SPARC has access to all academic records of those students referred to it for review.
    5. Determine remediation and/or sanctions in cases of unsatisfactory academic progress or unprofessional behavior
    6. Review, revise, and ratify academic policies (in conjunction with the EPCC)
    7. Approve Individualized Academic Programs for MD degree program students
    8. Review Leave of Absence requests
    9. Review Extended Program requests
    10. Review any other requested deviation from the standard academic plan
    11. Approve promotion to the next academic year of all students who have satisfactorily completed a given year’s curricular requirements
    12. Approve graduation of all students who have completed the requirements for the Doctor of Medicine degree
    13. The enumeration of specific responsibilities in this section shall not be construed to deny others retained by the committee and pertaining to the monitoring and adjudicating of student academic performance, degree progress, and promotion in the MD Program.

  2. Composition and Voting Members of SPARC
    The composition and selections of SPARC’s voting membership is governed by the committee’s bylaws. Academic and Career Advising Program (ACAP) mentors and ForWard curriculum Integrated Block Leaders (IBLs) are ineligible to serve as voting members of SPARC due potential conflict of interest.

  3. Recusal from SPARC Participation
    1. SPARC member will make prompt and full disclosure, to the extent appropriate to the SPARC Chair, when a conflict of interest exists or may exist.
    2. Committee members will disclose to the Chair their past associations with a student.
    3. SPARC member will disclose conflicts of interest regarding a student to the Chair prior to discussion about the student and will recuse themselves from participating in any decision about that student.
    4. SPARC member will agree to hold confidential all aspects of SPARC meetings, including student names and the motions made.
    5. Any member of SPARC who has provided medical or mental health services to a student must recuse themselves from participating in any promotion decision about that student.

  4. Quorum for SPARC
    1. 9 members constitute a quorum.
    2. A quorum may be established by appointing from among the attending ex officio committee members a person to serve as a temporary voting member for the duration of that meeting only.
      1. Students will be informed when quorum is obtained in this manner.
      2. This member may be appointed by the Committee Chair or the Dean for Students.
    3. If a quorum is not established, the student will be informed and presented with two options:
      1. Agree to waive quorum rights, thereby accepting the decision of voting members present as binding
      2. Accept motions and decisions made via email voting of a quorum of committee members

  5. Allegations of Unprofessional Behavior
    1. When an allegation of inappropriate behavior is made, whether by faculty, residents, staff, fellow students, patients, or members of the non-academic community, it must be presented in writing to the Dean for Students or their designee.
    2. The Dean for Students shall communicate the allegations in person or in writing to the student and shall schedule a meeting to discuss the matter with the student.
    3. Following a review of all available information and further information gathering, if needed, the Dean for Students shall decide if the allegations potentially violate the Professional Behavior Code. If so, the Dean for Students shall explain to the student in person or in writing of such findings and inform the student that the case will be referred to SPARC.
    4. If SPARC finds a student has violated the Professional Behavior code, sanctions may be imposed.
    5. SPARC shall prepare written findings of fact and a written statement of its decision based upon the record of the meeting. If the decision by the Student Promotion and Academic Review Committee is averse to the student, the decision must include notification that the student may request reconsideration by SPARC.

  6. Reconsideration of SPARC Action
    1. Following the receipt of a written decision by SPARC, the student may request a reconsideration meeting.
      1. A request for reconsideration will only be considered when the student wishes to present to SPARC new and/or additional facts that occurred during the academic time in question.
      2. A written request for reconsideration must be submitted to the Dean for Students or their designee within thirty (30) business days of the date of SPARC’s written decision. The request must include:
        1. The reasons for requesting a reconsideration of the Committee’s initial decision
        2. A summary of the new information that the student will present to the committee
      3. The Dean for Students or their designee will forward the request for reconsideration to SPARC.
      4. SPARC members shall review the student’s request for reconsideration. Following review, the committee will vote to hear or deny the reconsideration.
        1. Based on the student’s preference, this review and vote may occur at the next regularly scheduled committee meeting, or it may occur between regularly scheduled meetings via electronic format.
      5. If SPARC votes to hear the reconsideration, it will meet with the student for a formal reconsideration of its initial decision at the subsequent regularly scheduled meeting.
    2. This meeting represents the student’s final opportunity to present new or additional facts.
    3. A student appearing before SPARC may be accompanied by one person, whose primary role is to support the student. It is not expected that this person will speak on behalf of the student.
    4. Per standard SPARC procedures, all committee deliberations and voting for reconsideration shall be in closed session. Only voting and ex officio members of SPARC and legal counsel may be present during the closed session.
    5. If a student has been dismissed, the student has no active standing as a UWSMPH medical student during the reconsideration process.
    6. SPARC’s decision on the reconsideration shall be communicated to the student in writing and state the reasons for the decision. If the committee’s reconsideration decision is adverse to the student, the notification must state that the student may appeal the reconsideration to the EPCC.

  7. Appeal to the Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee (EPCC)
    1. If the student wishes to appeal an adverse decision following reconsideration by SPARC, the student must first meet with the Associate Dean for Medical Education, who is the Ex Officio administrative sponsor of EPCC, to review the policies and procedures that define an appeal to EPCC.
      1. This meeting will focus on procedure and process. The Associate Dean for Medical Education will not comment on the merit of the appeal.
    2. Following the meeting with the Associate Dean for Medical Education, if the student decides to appeal to EPCC, a written request for an appeal must be submitted to the Chair of the EPCC.
    3. The request for appeal must be submitted within thirty (30)days of the SPARC’s written decision on the reconsideration.
    4. In the request for an appeal, the student must state the specific ground(s) of appeal, which is limited to those listed in subsection 11F, below. For purposes of this section, “days” means calendar days excluding holidays.
    5. EPCC does not adjudicate course grade appeals or course absences. EPCC is not empowered to overturn course grades
    6. The appeal to the EPCC must be based on one or more of the following criteria:
      1. UWSMPH policies were incorrectly applied.
      2. The decision is contrary to existing state or federal law.
      3. Proper UWSMPH procedures were not followed.
      4. Unfounded assumptions of fact regarding the student’s performance or behavior were made by SPARC.
      5. In addition, the student may be requested to identify those specific aspects of the SPARC decision process that the student believes meet the criteria cited as a basis for the appeal. Only the facts presented to SPARC may be introduced at the appeal before the EPCC.
    7. The burden of proof shall be on the student to demonstrate that the SPARC reconsideration decision was based to a significant degree on one or more of the above conditions.
    8. The student may appear before the EPCC to provide information consistent with subsections (11f.i) through (11f.v).
    9. A support person may accompany the student to the appeal meeting of the EPCC. The primary role of this is to support the student. It is not expected that this person will speak on behalf of the student.
    10. If a student has been dismissed, the student has no active standing as a UWSMPH medical student during the appeal process.
    11. The EPCC shall meet after the Chair receives the student’s written appeal of the SPARC reconsideration decision.
      1. The meeting will be chaired by the Chair of the EPCC.
      2. The EPCC Appeal meeting will follow this format:
        1. Overview of the appeal process to members of the EPCC by the EPCC Chair and legal counsel (if applicable)- 5 minutes
        2. Welcome and introduction of SPARC Representative and the SPARC support person (if present); introduction of student and student support person (if present)- 5 minutes
          1. The SPARC representative will be the Chair or Vice Chair of SPARC
          2. One support person chosen by the SPARC representative may be present at the appeal meeting if desired.
          3. One support person chosen by the student may be present at the appeal meeting if desired.
          4. Support persons do not have to be present.
          5. The presentation to the EPCC will be made by the student and the SPARC representative.
          6. If needed for clarification or additional information, presenters may confer with their support person.
          7. The support person may help address questions during the question-and-answer session as directly requested by committee members or as needed for clarification of information.
        3. Presentation of SPARC decision(s) including the basis for decisions and relevant supporting information- 10-20 minutes
        4. EPCC question and answer session with SPARC representatives- 10 minutes
        5. Presentation by the student of the appeal request, including the basis of the appeal, and any relevant support information by the student- 10-20 minutes
          1. No new facts or information may be presented by the student
          2. Only facts and information previously presented to SPARC may be included
        6. EPCC question and answer session with student- 10 minutes
        7. Brief closing remarks from the SPARC representative if desired to summarize SPARC decision or address any points raised (no questions at this time)- 2-3 minutes
        8. Brief closing remarks from the student if desired to summarize appeal request or address any points raised (no questions at this time)- 2-3 minutes
        9. Move to closed session of EPCC members for deliberation and decision
      3. All committee actions regarding student appeals shall be held in closed session. Following any presentation to the committee, only voting and ex officio members and legal counsel may be present. Any member of the EPCC who also served on SPARC when that committee made an adverse decision regarding the student may not vote on the appeal to the EPCC.
    12. The EPCC may take any of the following actions on the appeal:
      1. Reject the appeal and affirm the initial decision of SPARC.
      2. Reverse the decision of SPARC based on one or more of the conditions for the appeal.
      3. Remand the matter for reconsideration by SPARC for appropriate corrective action under instructions from the EPCC.
    13. The student shall be notified in writing of the EPCC’s action on the appeal, stating a summary of the action taken. EPCC decisions shall be delivered in writing to the student’s official university email address. This represents official notification.
    14. If, in upholding a SPARC decision, the student is permitted the opportunity to withdraw, the student must notify the Associate Dean for Students of their withdrawal action within 14 days of receiving the written notification by EPCC.

  8. Sanctions
    In determining a sanction, the Student Promotion and Academic Review Committee may consider prior incidences of review by the Committee or other allegations of academic or non-academic misconduct brought to the attention of the Office of Student Services but not requiring review by SPARC.
    1. Monitoring
      1. General monitoring is prescribed for all students reviewed by SPARC. Regardless of any other outcome or sanctions, SPARC, Office of Student Services, and their designees will monitor all students reviewed by the committee. Monitoring may include mandated, ongoing meetings with faculty and staff to assess academic or behavioral remediation.
      2. Academic monitoring typically includes review of course and overall performance by SPARC, Office of Student Services, Student Academic Success Services, and/or Academic & Career Advising Program mentors. Additional performance benchmarks may also be put in place for students on SPARC-mandated academic monitoring, and failure to meet these will trigger subsequent review and action by the committee.
      3. Student experiencing psychosocial difficulties in medical school may be prescribed monitoring and assessment by the Office of Student Services, Student Academic Success Services, Academic & Career Advising Program mentors, and/or mental health professionals at UHS or in the community. Unless otherwise specified by SPARC for unique cases, no records or other treatment information is passed from provider to a school representative (e.g., Office of Student Services); however, SPARC may insist on verification of attendance/participation in mandated treatment (e.g., documentation that a student attended the requisite counseling sessions but nothing on the substance of these).
      4. Alcohol and drug monitoring may be prescribed by SPARC and typically involves random screening for the duration of students’ medical education.
      5. If monitoring by an outside agent (e.g., drug screening lab) is required, the student will bear all associated costs.
      6. Any noncompliance, including missing/skipping a session for any reason, is considered a failed test, and will be reviewed by SPARC for additional sanctions, up to and including dismissal.
    2. Reprimand
      1. A formal reprimand by SPARC includes notation placed in the student’s permanent record. This will be reviewed and taken into consideration by the Office of Student Services and SPARC in any other cases of that student’s misconduct.
      2. SPARC may mandate that the reprimand be reported in the appropriate section of the student’s MSPE.
    3. Suspension / Mandated Leave of Absence (LOA)
      1. Suspension or a mandated leave of absence is like dismissal in that it constitutes an immediate termination of student status unless otherwise specified by SPARC.
      2. All in-progress and scheduled courses (during the term of LOA) are dropped or graded “Incomplete” as appropriate.
      3. The decision to suspend a student cannot be stayed or deferred pending reconsideration or appeal.
      4. At the discretion of SPARC, Dean for Students, or their designee; suspended/LOA students may be allowed to enroll in independent study to maintain continuous enrollment for insurance and/or financial aid purposes or may be permitted to enroll as a special student in UW courses outside the UWSMPH.
      5. At the time of the suspension/LOA, SPARC will enumerate any conditions for reinstatement of student status and resumption of coursework (e.g., approval of SPARC, Dean for Students, or their designee before return to student status, presentation of a fitness to return to duty letter, written approval of a treatment team).
      6. When return to UWSMPH is sought after leave of absence for medical reasons, a written evaluation from a physician is required.
        1. SPARC may require an independent opinion by a physician of its choice.
        2. SPARC must approve a return to the Medical School following a medical leave of absence. This may entail an appearance before SPARC.
    4. Dismissal
      1. Dismissal is the immediate termination of student status.
      2. All current and scheduled courses are dropped or graded “Incomplete” as appropriate or determined by SPARC or their designee.
      3. The dismissal decision will not be stayed (i.e., suspended) pending reconsideration or appeal.
      4. Dismissed students are not permitted to enroll in MD curriculum courses or any other UW-Madison course as University Special Students.
      5. If a student has been dismissed, the student has no active standing as a UWSMPH medical student during the appeal process.
      6. Students dismissed or appealing dismissal may not sit for (i.e., take) any USMLE or NBME exams.
      7. A student who is dismissed and wishes to reapply for admission to UWSMPH within 4 years of dismissal date will reapply to the UWSMPH Admissions Committee through AMCAS (see 10.4(3)).
      8. When considering decisions related to un-enrolled, former UWSMPH students, SPARC will reference the policies and procedures of the MD Student Handbook in place at the time of the student’s past participation in the curriculum.
      9. An MSTP student who is dismissed from the Graduate School is also dismissed from the MD program unless they successfully petition SPARC for transfer to the MD program.
        1. Such a transfer request will only be considered by SPARC with the written support of the transfer by the MSTP program director.

Related UW-Madison Policies

UWS Administrative Code Chapter 14 – Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures 

UWS Administrative Code Chapter 17 – Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures 

UWS Administrative Code Chapter 18 – Conduct on University Lands 

Conflicts of Interest in Student-Related SMPH Health Professions Programs Committees and Assessment (SMPH-8075) 

Related UW-Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources

MD Student Handbook

External References

LCME Element 9.9

Policy Administration

Approval Authority

Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) and Medical Student Promotion and Review Committee (SPARC)

Policy Manager

Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Services

Policy Contact(s)

Policy Contact(s)
Title Email Address
MD Program Administration lcme@med.wisc.edu 

Policy History

Date last reviewed and approved: June 11, 2025

Next review: June 2026


Keywords:
Medical Scientist Training Program, MSTP, MD/PhD, WARM, urban medicine, public health, paths of distinction, MD curriculum, ForWard 
Doc ID:
154174
Owned by:
Claire F. in SMPH Academic Affairs Resource
Created:
2025-08-14
Updated:
2025-08-14
Sites:
SMPH Academic Affairs Resource