Students are expected to attend and participate in every session of a clinical clerkship. Excused absences are subject to approval by the Clerkship Director and will be accommodated only to the extent that such absences do not interfere unreasonably with the goals and objectives established for the clerkship.

Per Council on Evaluation, “A student will receive a ‘Fail/No Credit’ grade if s/he is absent for any reason, either excused or unexcused, more than 5 working days from a one-month required rotation and/or elective course and more than 10 working days from a two-month required rotation and/or elective course.”

Immediate excused absences from a clinical clerkship must be approved by the Clerkship Director in writing and will generally be allowed only for the following reasons:

Planned excused absences for the following reasons, must be approved in writing, two weeks before the clerkship begins by the Clerkship Director and/or Coordinator.

*Written documentation of meeting registration/ attendance required.
** Students seeking excused absences must receive approval from the Clerkship Director and Coordinator two weeks prior to the start of the clerkship.

Students with excused absences are expected to make arrangements with the Clerkship Director for alternative or make-up work. Failure to do so two weeks prior to the clerkship start-date, will result in an unexcused absence. Students enrolled on Docent Rotation should seek approval for excused absences from their assigned Docent. Consequences of unexcused absences will be determined by the Clerkship Director, failure to do so may result in an unexcused absence.

Note:  Submission of this request is not a confirmation of approval.