Academic Honors and Class Rank Procedures
It is a tradition at the Health Science Center to recognize its highest scholars and promote academic excellence. Academic honors are noted on the student’s official permanent record.
No graduate will be named to the Dean’s List or receive a degree with honors who has failed a course, who has not been enrolled as a full-time student, or who has been placed on academic, disciplinary probation or suspension. Transfer students are not eligible for academic honors.
- The Dean’s List for semesters 1 through 4 recognizes medical students whose weighted averages make up the highest 10 percent of each class enrolled in the college. Numeric course grades, based on a 100% scale, will be used to determine the top 10% of the class.
- Beginning with the Class of 2020, numeric course grades represented as a percent of the total points achieved within a course will be converted to an Honors (H), Pass (P), or Fail (F) grade. Some courses such as Medical Practice and its Rural Medicine equivalent will be a Pass/Fail course. Honors will be assigned to the top 10% of students in the class. The Pass/Fail determination for each course will be determined following course completion by applying The Objective Borderline Method (OBM) in determining a pass/fail cut-off score for borderline scores. Borderline grades, unless otherwise stated in a course syllabus and approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, will be considered to be 67 through and including 77. Utilizing this borderline group range any score below a 67 is automatically considered a Fail and any grade of 78 and higher is automatically considered a Pass. If upon application of the OBM, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Curriculum Director, and the Course Director all agree that a variance to this cut-score needs to be considered, then they shall meet as a committee along with an additional faculty voting member of the curriculum committee and identify a new cut score.
- The distinction of President’s Scholar is awarded to graduating seniors who have been named to the Dean’s List for every semester of enrollment at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM).
- Academic honors are awarded with the degree at graduation to medical students whose cumulative weighted averages make up the highest 10 percent of the graduating class. Numeric course grades, based on a 100% scale, will be used to determine the top 10% of the class. The students in this group shall be designated as graduating with honors. For the purpose of determining academic honors for graduation, grades will be calculated for honors prior to graduation and will include coursework in semesters 1-4 and end of rotation COMAT percentage scores for core clinical rotations during semesters 5 and 6.
- Class rank will be calculated based on cumulative weighted numeric grade averages of those courses that are taken by all TCOM students. Class rank will be calculated at the end of Years 1, 2, and 3. Class rank at the end of Years 2 is calculated on the basis of cumulative coursework completed at the end of each respective year. Medical Practice grades and its Rural Medicine course equivalent will not be utilized in calculating class rank. Class rank at the end of Year 3 is calculated on the basis of cumulative course work completed in years 1 and 2 plus the COMAT score averages for clinical rotations during year 3.
Academic Probation
Academic probation is a serious matter and serves as official notice to the student that the quality of the student’s performance during the probationary period must improve in order to remain eligible to continue at the health science center. Any student who fails to improve his or her performance in the areas identified by the Student Performance Committee (SPC) during the probationary period may be continued on probation, asked to withdraw or be dismissed from the health science center. Students on academic probation may not hold any elected or appointed office, institutional or external.
Students experiencing academic difficulty or on academic probation are expected to take full advantage of their educational experience by regularly attending classes and seeking assistance from faculty, course directors and the Division of Student Affairs. Additionally, learning assessment, skill development and tutoring services are available to mediate curricular deficiencies.
- Students failing any course will be placed on academic probation. Students deemed to be performing at a level that places them at academic risk for failure may be placed on academic probation at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
- A student on academic probation may not hold any appointed or elected office at TCOM.
- A student on academic probation may appeal to the Dean of TCOM for removal from probation.
Attendance
During Years 1 and 2, medical students are expected to attend all classroom activities. Attendance is required at all laboratories and clinical experiences. Limited excused absences may be granted with permission of the curriculum director or associate dean for academic affairs. The student is responsible for obtaining and learning subject materials presented during an absence. When the period of absence is known and may be planned, the student must confer with the appropriate course director and determine a plan of action for the absence. The student must submit an online Absence Request at least two weeks before the requested date(s) of absence through the myHSC online portal at https://my.unt.edu/psp/papd01/EMPLOYEE/EMPL/h/?tab=HSPA_GUEST using his/her EUID and password for any absence from an examination, quiz, learning module or laboratory. If the excuse is due to an illness, the student must also provide a note from a health care provider documenting the absence. All absence requests must be completed online within five (5) working days of the absence.
The focus of the clinical experience in years 3 and 4 is patient care. 100% attendance is, therefore, required to be certain that continuity of care is maintained. It is understood; however, that certain situations may arise that will result in absence from required daily participation. In such instances the following procedures will be observed:
- All absences are subject to approval by the clerkship director. Even if the absence is approved, the clerkship director or preceptor may require an additional assignment or for time to be made up from any student who misses time on their service. Make up days should be completed within the regularly scheduled rotation. All absences shall require submission of a Request for Absence from Clerkship form. That form is available either on-line or in the Office of Clinical Education.
- Unapproved absence or absence in excess of the above policy may require remediation or result in a lower grade at the discretion of the clerkship director.
- Absence of 5 days or more during any 4 week rotation (or any 4 weeks of an 8 week rotation) or absence of 7 days or more for 6-week rotations will result in a grade of INCOMPLETE and repeat of the entire rotation will be required.
- Failure to notify the clerkship director or rotation supervisor of any absence will be considered neglect of duty and may result in a failing grade for the clerkship.
- Students may be granted approval for absence by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for participation in select Health Science Center activities. Such approval must be obtained in advance with written notification to the clerkship director. Please review the individual syllabi for additional attendance requirements.
Students may receive approved absences for certain UNT Health Science Center (UNTHSC)-related activities. These absences require advance written approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and are subject to the above provisions for four- and six-week clerkships. Any exception to this policy may be made only with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
In accordance with state law, students absent due to the observance of a religious holiday may take examinations or complete assignments scheduled for the day missed within a reasonable time after the absence. For more information visit the policy at www.hsc.unt.edu/policies/policieslist.cfm.
Auditing
Individuals previously enrolled in TCOM may audit classes until the end of the academic year in which they withdrew, if given permission by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. They may not sit for any exams or quizzes in any courses. They may not actively participate in laboratories but may observe with instructor approval. Laboratories include OMM 1-4, Medical Practice 1-4, and all anatomy laboratories associated with the Systems Courses in Years 1 and 2. They may not participate in any patient care activities. Any person who has never been enrolled in TCOM is prohibited from auditing any course taught in TCOM, unless given special permission by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of TCOM. Even when given approval by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or Dean of TCOM, he or she may not sit for any exams or quizzes in any courses.
- Former TCOM students wishing to audit a course must obtain permission from the Dean of TCOM.
- Former TCOM students wishing to observe in a laboratory must obtain permission from course director.
- Persons who have never been enrolled in TCOM may not audit any TCOM course, unless they are given permission by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of TCOM.
Dismissal
Dismissal from TCOM may be recommended if:
- A student earns failing grades in two or more courses in any one academic year.
- A student fails the same course twice. A student exceeds the two-year limit for completing one academic course or the six-year limit for completing requirements for graduation, exclusive of a leave of absence or withdrawal in good standing.
- A student has not demonstrated continued academic progress as reviewed and determined by the Student Performance Committee, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or Dean of TCOM.
- A student has not passed the national board examinations as set forth in the procedures of TCOM and by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
The Health Science Center reserves the right to dismiss any student at any time if circumstances of a legal, moral, behavioral, ethical, health, or academic nature justify such action in accordance with UNTHSC policies and procedures.
- SPC recommends to the chairman of the committee (Associate Dean for Academic Affairs) that a student be dismissed.
- Decision regarding dismissal of a student will be made by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
- If the student is dismissed, he/she will be notified in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
- The student may appeal the decision to the Dean of TCOM. Appeal must be in writing within five business days of his/her notification of dismissal.
- The Dean’s decision is final and will be transmitted to the student in writing.
Leave of Absence
A student may request or be required to take a leave of absence with the occurrence of a medical problem, substantial personal problem or as recommended by the SPC. Students requesting a leave of absence must apply to the Dean of TCOM. In the event of a medical problem, the request must be accompanied by a letter from the treating physician or a licensed professional describing the nature of the disability for which the leave is requested and the estimated length of time needed for recovery.
After consultation with the student, the Dean of TCOM will decide whether or not the leave will be granted and the conditions under which the student may return to school. Students must report to the Office of Student Affairs to obtain a Leave of Absence Form and complete it before they are officially placed on an approved leave.
Before a student may be readmitted, a written request for readmission must be submitted by the student to the Dean of TCOM. In the case of a medical leave, a letter from the treating physician or a licensed professional must accompany the readmission request stating that the student has recovered from the disability for which the medical leave was granted and is able to participate in a full academic program.
Promotion
Normal progression through the curriculum requires that a student complete each of the required courses and have no failing grades that have not been corrected. A deficiency in a semester 1 or semester 2 course must be remediated prior to semester 3. A deficiency in a semester 3 or semester 4 course must be remediated before clinical clerkships begin. A deficiency in a clinical clerkship must be remediated before graduation. Achievement of this standard in each academic year is required for promotion to the next academic year. In addition, the graduating student must have passed Level I, Level II CE, and Level II PE of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME).
Students who do not meet the standards specified for promotion, for beginning clinical rotation or for graduation may be given an opportunity to correct their deficiencies either at specified times during the academic year or by adding an additional period of time to their medical education.
SPC may recommend to the associate dean of academic affairs that students be offered an opportunity to correct their deficiencies within a requisite time period or be dismissed. Students will be notified of a final decision in writing by the associate dean of academic affairs. It is recognized by SPC that each student’s situation should be evaluated as an individual case. If a student disagrees with the recommendation of SPC and the associate dean of academic affairs, he or she may appeal in writing within five days of notice to the dean of TCOM. The dean’s decision is final.
Requirements for Graduation
Students who have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements and who have been recommended by the Health Science Center faculty, are eligible to receive the DO degree, provided they are of good moral character and:
have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4-point scale (starting with the Class of 2020, have achieved a minimum Pass grade for each course), have successfully remediated any failing grades and have no grades of “I”;
- are at least 21 years of age;
- have been in residence for four academic years at an accredited college of osteopathic medicine, the last two years of which must have been at TCOM;
- have passed Level 1, Level 2-CE and Level 2-PE of COMLEX;
- have complied with all legal and financial requirements of the college;
- have exhibited the ethical, professional, behavioral, and personal characteristics necessary for the practice of osteopathic medicine; and
- have completed the Exit Questionnaire and the Clearance Check Form from the Office of the Registrar; attend the commencement at which the degree is to be awarded. (Degrees may be awarded in absentia with the approval of the Provost and the President of the Health Science Center.)
A student who completes the curriculum in four consecutive years is required to meet the graduation requirements listed in the TCOM Catalog published for the year entered and/or any subsequent or additional program requirements. In the event of an extension beyond the four years, the student must meet the requirements for the class with whom the individual graduates. Students who do not fulfill all graduation requirements by graduation day may not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Semester Credit Hours
One semester credit hour (SCH) is assigned to each 16 hours of scheduled student activity, including examinations. Students receive four semester credit hours for each four-week rotation.
Withdrawal
Application of voluntary withdrawal from UNTHSC must be made in writing to the Dean of TCOM. Except in rare and special circumstances, the application will be accompanied with a personal interview by the Dean of TCOM.
- Students who leave UNTHSC without notifying the Dean of TCOM and without completing the established withdrawal procedures within 30 days will be administratively withdrawn from the Health Science Center.
- Students must report to the Office of the Registrar to obtain and complete a withdrawal form before they can officially withdraw from the Health Science Center. Students who do not complete this application for voluntary withdrawal will not be entitled to an official withdrawal and, consequently, will not be considered for re-admission at a later date.
- Re-admission for students withdrawing in good academic standing is not assured unless it is part of the final decision and/or agreement made by the withdrawing student and the Dean of TCOM. This final decision and/or agreement will be in writing. Students granted re-admission following withdrawal in good academic standing usually will re-enter at the beginning of an academic year and must register for all courses scheduled during the academic year of their withdrawal, including those previously completed and passed, unless otherwise stipulated in the agreement.
- A student who withdraws while not in good academic standing may request re-admission through the admissions application process. The Admissions Committee will evaluate the student’s entire academic record and make a recommendation to the Dean of TCOM.
- Any student who withdraws due to poor academic progress, re-enters the Health Science Center and receives a failing grade in any course may be recommended for unconditional dismissal with no opportunity for re-admission.
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