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Honor Code

The T.H. Chan School of Medicine’s commitment to professionalism is described in both the Honor Code itself and in Technical Standard Five (Behavioral and Social Attributes), as found on the Office of Admissions webpage and listed below. As a community of scholars and future physicians, the Honor Code carries with it a responsibility to mutually assure the integrity of the community. This reflects the obligation of licensed physicians to maintain the ethics of the profession, as described by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. It is expected that each student will make a personal commitment to abide by the T.H. Chan School of Medicine Honor Code, which includes both self-monitoring and reporting violations. The Honor Code applies to all students at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. All students who are enrolled in a degree-granting program from the T.H. Chan School of Medicine will be held to the Honor Code until they receive their final degree(s). The Honor Board consists of faculty and students, with a Chair named by the Dean. Some consequences of violations may include self- assessment and remediation, while others may require course repeat, service work or even dismissal.

Categories of violations are tiered and cumulative. Please see the Honor Code policy in its entirety at Honor Code Policy.

In some cases, students may require additional time for USMLE Step 1 preparation, before taking the exam and proceeding to the CCE year. Students requiring additional time for USMLE Step 1 preparation will be identified through key FOM 1 performance data, Organ System Diseases (OSD) NBME scores, and CBSE performance. This process typically will occur in February annually. Students who are identified as needing additional time will be advised by the CAA accordingly.

 

Requests for postponements of CCE rotations for the purpose of USMLE Step 1 preparation must be supported by the Center for Academic Achievement and the Associate Dean for Academic Achievement, and presented to the CSAEB through the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at least FOUR WEEKS prior to the start of the scheduled CCE.

 

Detailed Process for CCE deferral for USMLE Step 1 Preparation:

 

  1. At-Risk Student identification process before CCE Lottery
    1. Students at risk for USMLE Step 1 are identified annually in February, annually
    2. Students are identified through key FOM1 performance data, OSD NBME scores and CBSE performance
      1. CAA and ADAA consult with OSD faculty in deferral decisions
      2. CAA and ADAA email student and LC mentor to recommend deferral of CCE
  • If student agrees with recommendation for CCE rotation deferral:
    1. ADAA emails request to ADSA, with cc to CAA, student and LC mentor
    2. ADAA works with ADSA/student to recommend a deferral duration (either 1A alone, or entire Thematic Section 1)
    3. Entire process is completed before the February CSAEB meeting where the changes are presented as an administrative item
    4. ADSA communicates with OSA staff to adjust CCE lottery assignments
    5. All students must complete the Transition to
  1. If student does not agree with deferral recommendation:
    1. Student may continue to plan for 1A CCE rotations
    2. Student will continue to work with CAA, must make decision to defer as below (see step 2)

This content is current to the 2021-2022 Student Handbook.