1.   Electives applied toward graduation credit are normally advanced fourth-year courses taken after required third-year clerkships are completed, electives taken for credit at other times during the student’s medical school career may be considered for graduation credit with the approval of the Clinical Science Academic Evaluation Board.  They should not interfere with required courses and all the prerequisites of the elective must be met.  All electives require prior approval by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.  Type A or B clinical electives will not be credited towards the 24-week graduation requirement unless they are taken after most or all of the required third-year clerkships are completed. 

2.   There are no rigid regulations regarding the proportion of time spent on intramural versus extramural electives.  However, students are encouraged to select electives at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and its affiliated hospitals. 

3. Students should consult with their specialty mentor/advisor regarding choice of electives.   Usually at least one elective in the specialty to which the student is applying is necessary.  

4.   Students considering international electives must discuss their plans with Mick Godkin, PhD, Coordinator for International Student Programs.  Students whose academic performance has provided any cause for concern may be reviewed by the Clinical Science Academic Evaluation Board before being permitted to take an international clinical elective.  Because students are being prepared for US residencies, a maximum of 8 weeks of clinical elective credit towards graduation will be given for international electives. 

5.   Up to one TYPE C elective credit may be earned for language immersion programs approved by the Coordinator for International Programs, Mick Godkin, PhD.  The language chosen must be applicable to a significant minority population in the Commonwealth or elsewhere in the United States. 

6.   There are no limits on the maximum number of electives taken or to the amount of time spent on elective courses, other than the limitations imposed by the time available within the academic program and the requirements for graduation. 

7.   Sufficient time must be spent in elective courses for credit to fulfill the requirements for the Doctor of Medicine degree.  Additional electives may be taken with or without credit provided that the status is indicated prior to the start of the elective. 

8.   In accordance with the guidelines of the Association of American Medical Colleges, academic credit shall not be given for courses which carry financial remuneration to the student above and beyond any cost reimbursement and/or provisions for room and board.  Exceptions may be granted in the case of active duty in the Armed Services, provided that the experience is approved as a bonafide elective course. 

9.   UMass students shall have preference over students from other medical schools in scheduling UMass electives prior to May 1 of each year.  After this date, electives for the coming academic year will be open to students from outside the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and elective enrollment will be on a first come, first served basis. 

10.   Students who desire to take an elective for credit will have preference over students desiring the elective for non-credit. 

11.    New elective programs which have been approved and submitted after the printing of the syllabus will be posted on the Student Affairs Web site: www.umassmed.edu/studentaffairs . 

Taken from the 2006/2007 School of Medicine Student Handbook