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School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Medical School

M.D. Program

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Curriculum Under Construction

The School of Medicine’s curriculum is being redesigned. Visit Curriculum Under Construction to learn more about this exciting process.

Curriculum Overview

The program for the M.D. degree is divided into four phases, each of a year’s duration. M1, occupying the first year (mid August to early June), emphasizes normal human structure, function, growth and development. M2, occupying the second year (August to May), stresses pathological conditions. M3 occupies the third year (July to July) and consists of clinical education and training. The fourth year (M4), lasting from August to mid-May, consists of approximately one-sixth required clinical education and training with the remainder open for electives at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and its affiliated site and at approved medical schools elsewhere in the USA and abroad. Elective opportunities are offered also in M1 and M2.

The curriculum is viewed as a dynamic and evolving entity, and course titles, content or duration of emphasis may be subject to modification for the sake of improving the learning experience.

Each course in M1 and M2 is designed and implemented by a faculty committee, and each phase of the curriculum is supervised by a faculty coordinator.

Registration in courses offered by the School of Medicine is restricted to students enrolled in the VCU School of Medicine.

M1 Curriculum

The first year of medical school, from mid-August to early June, focuses on the normal human structure, function, growth and development.

  1. Foundations of Clinical Medicine
  2. Medical Bioethics
  3. Population Medicine
  4. Medical Biochemistry
  5. Human Genetics
  6. Gross & Developmental Anatomy
  7. Physiology
  8. Histology
  9. Behavioral Sciences
  10. Immunology
  11. Neurosciences
Total Courses: 11

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M2 Curriculum

The second year, from early August to late May, emphasizes the pathologic manifestations in the treatment of diseases. All students participate in the following courses:

  1. Foundations of Clinical Medicine
  2. Medical Bioethics
  3. Pharmacology
  4. Pathogenesis
  5. Microbiology
  6. Hematology/Oncology
  7. Endocrine
  8. Renal
  9. Respiratory
  10. Cardiovascular
  11. Behavioral Sciences II
  12. Central Nervous System
  13. Women’s Health
  14. Gastrointestinal
  15. Musculoskeletal
Total Courses: 15

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M3 Curriculum

During the third year, students receive clinical training by rotating through the various hospitals and ambulatory services. This rich clinical experience is supplemented by didactic presentations on practice related topics. All students participate in the following clerkships:

  1. Internal Medicine (12 weeks)
  2. Surgery (8 weeks)
  3. Pediatrics (8 weeks)
  4. OB/GYN (6 weeks)
  5. Psychiatry (6 weeks)
  6. Neurology (4 weeks)
  7. Family Medicine (4 weeks)
Total Rotations: 15

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M4 Curriculum

M4 is an elective year, with 232 electives offered. Each elective is four weeks long.

The School of Medicine, in an effort to serve best the needs and goals of the individual student, offers M4 students the option of choosing electives during the majority of their senior year. The elective curriculum has been arranged primarily to allow those students who have definite goals to pursue them logically without adherence to a required curriculum. At the same time, it allows those who have not yet defined their goals an adequate assortment of electives with which to explore career options. Where standard elective choices seem too limiting, students are encouraged to approach individual faculty members to develop courses that more closely approach individual needs. A member of the M4 Committee is available to advise each student and to approve of each student’s program.

The year is divided into nine four-week periods. The required rotations which must be served at the Medical College of Virginia of Fairfax Inova Campus are an acting internship, an urgent care month and completion of the Update of Basic Sciences and Clinical Medicine and Step 2 Board Review courses.

The electives catalog is available on the Web.


The USMLE Policy:

  1. All students are required to take U.S. Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 prior to the start of the M3 year. Students are required to pass Step 1 for promotion to the M4 year. If a student fails Step 1, he/she will be allowed to complete their current M3 clerkship and be required to take time off during the M3 year in elective status to study for and retake the exam. The time off will be individualized for each student after discussion with the curriculum office and approval by the promotions committee.
  2. All students are required to take U.S. Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 CK and CS for the first time after completion of their M3 year or by December 1. Students are required to pass USMLE Step 2 CK and CS for graduation. Students who do not pass Step 2 CK or CS within one year of completion of all other requirements for the M.D. degree will be dismissed from school.

If you are a student at another institution and are interested in participating in an elective at Virginia Commonwealth University, please contact Isaac Wood, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Affairs, 804-828-9784.

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