PURPOSE / SCOPE:
To set forth the policy for conferral of the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and the requirements for the graduation ceremony.
DEFINITIONS:
COMLEX-USA – The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination is a three-part national standardized licensure exam
Professionalism and Academic Review (PAR) Committee - this ICOM Committee adjudicates professionalism concerns, oversees student academic performance, and oversees the confirmation process for degree conferral.
POLICY:
The degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine will be granted to and conferred upon candidates who:
- have demonstrated good moral, professional, and ethical character;
- have satisfied all academic requirements for graduation as attested to by the Professionalism and Academic Review (PAR) Committee, has been recommended by vote of the faculty, and approved by ICOM’s Board of Trustees;
- have passed the COMLEX-USA Level 1, COMLEX-USA Level 2, and received any additionally required academic confirmation/attestation; and
- have completed all required exit paperwork and settled all financial obligations with ICOM and affiliate and collaborative partners incurred as a result of the academic program.
To become eligible for graduation, each fourth-year student must have successfully completed all of the above requirements within six years of matriculation (150% of the standard time to achieve the degree). The six years allow for the student to have been in a delayed program due to medical, academic, and/or personal leaves of absence, termed withdrawal with intent to return. The ICOM Dean has discretion to make exceptions to the six year requirement.
Professional and ethical competence is required for graduation. Students must demonstrate the ethical and professional qualities deemed necessary for success and continued study and practice of osteopathic medicine; the suitability for the practice of medicine by dutiful and responsible acceptance for patient care; and integrity in the conduct of clinical duties. Students may be dismissed from ICOM if any of these competencies are not met.
An ICOM student must complete to the satisfaction of faculty, as determined by the individual course directors and clinical rotation supervisors, and through the PAR Committee, all prescribed courses and clinical experiences to graduate. The Dean and Chief Academic Officer makes the determination of any appeals from PAR Committee recommendations, based solely on new and meaningful information not available to the PAR Committee at the time of the deliberation.
Students must meet with the Director of Financial Aid and Registrar to complete all required exit forms within the time parameters reported by the Office of Student Services.
Delayed Graduation Policy
If an osteopathic medical student is required to retake courses in the curriculum as a result of specific course failure or a deficiency in overall academic performance, then a delay in scheduling clinical rotations may occur and the student’s graduation may be delayed. Voluntary course withdrawals, temporary leaves of absence or suspensions secondary to academic, administrative suspensions or as a result of failure to pass the COMLEX-USA consistent with ICOM policy may also cause a delay in scheduling clinical rotations and a delay in graduation. Any alteration in the normal curricular progression may affect a student’s financial aid status or qualification for education-based financial aid. Specific counseling and advice should be sought from the Office of Student Services.
Those students who have not satisfactorily completed all graduation requirements outlined in the ICOM Catalog that will be fully completed the Summer or Fall semester immediately following the May commencement, may petition the PAR Committee for an exception to the graduation and degree conferral policy and permission to walk at the May commencement ceremony. This procedure is outlined in the Graduation and Degree Conferral Procedure.
Students who will fully complete all graduation requirements outlined in the ICOM Catalog during the Summer or Fall semester immediately following the May commencement, who are granted Permission to Walk in accordance with this policy are considered May graduates of the graduation term immediately preceding completion of all graduation requirements as outlined in the ICOM Catalog.
PRIMARY POLICY OWNER:
Senior Associate Dean for Learner Outcomes and Assessment
APPROVAL:
Effective: 4/13/23
Last Reviewed: 4/13/23
Review Requirement: 5 Years