The online Stanford University School of Medicine MD Program Handbook and Policy Manual is a guide to current policies, standards, procedures and resources that govern students in the MD program at Stanford. In addition, students participating in Stanford University’s MD program are subject to policies and standards established by both Stanford University and the School of Medicine.

Every effort is made to ensure the information contained in this online handbook is accurate and current. Stanford University and the School of Medicine reserve the right to make changes and revisions in the applicable regulations, procedures, policies, requirements, and other information contained on the website at any time without notice.

The online version itself, however (as opposed to a hardcopy or PDF summary), governs.

For questions regarding the MD Program Handbook and Policy Manual, please contact Jared Shields, Office of Medical Education.

University Policies

A great many of the policies established for all Stanford University students are published by the Stanford University Office of the Registrar in the Stanford Bulletin. Visit the Stanford Bulletin to review the current version of the Bulletin to see versions from previous years, or for information about distribution of printed copies.

• Section 2: General Standards
• 2.1  Competencies and Objectives for Medical Student Education
• 2.2  Specification of Requirements for Graduation
• 2.3  School of Medicine Technical, Non-Academic Standards
• 2.4  School of Medicine Professionalism Principles
• 2.5  Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Uniform Teacher-Learner Agreement
• Section 3: MD Requirements and Procedures
• 3.1  Academic Records and Privacy of Student Information
• 3.2  Registration and Study Lists
• 3.3  Data Security and Privacy (HIPAA) Training
• 3.4  Definition of Medical Student Practice Role
• 3.5  Disability Accommodations
• 3.6  Ethical Conduct of Biomedical Research
• 3.7  Evaluation Completion Requirements
• 3.8  Industry Interactions Policy
• 3.9  Leaves of Absence, Discontinuation and Reinstatement
• 3.10  Malpractice Liability for Medical Students
• 3.11  Medical Health Requirements and Immunizations
• 3.12  Policies and Resources for Device Encryption, Security and Use
• 3.13  Respectful Environment and Mistreatment Policy
• 3.14  Safety Training
• 3.15  Stanford Medicine Policy for the Removal and Transport of Phi
• 3.16  Stanford University School of Medicine Education Research Policy
• 3.17  Stepping Out of the MD Curriculum Sequence
• 3.18  Student Duty Hours and Work Environment
• 3.19  Student Participation in Clinical Activities Involving Personal Risk
• 3.20  Surgical Procedures for Medical Students
• 3.21  Universal Precautions and Needlestick Protocol
• 3.22  USMLE Requirements: Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS
• 3.23  Stanford Hospital Computer Access for Medical Students (EPIC)
• 3.24  School of Medicine Learning Spaces
• 3.25  Absence Policy and Expectations
• 3.26  N95 Respirator Mask Fit Requirements for Medical Students
• 3.27  School of Medicine Dress Code Guidelines for the Clinical Setting
• 3.28  School of Medicine Criminal Background Check Policy
• Section 4: Discovery Curriculum Overview
• 4.1.  Discovery Curriculum Schematic
• 4.2.  Academic Calendar
• 4.3.  Academic Requirements for Graduation
• 4.4.  Scholarly Concentration Requirement
• 4.5.  Required Pre-Clerkship Courses
• 4.6.  Calendar of Clerkship Periods
• 4.7.  Clerkship Requirements
• 4.8.  Selective Clerkship Requirement
• 4.9.  Absences during Clerkships
• 4.10.  Dropping Clerkships less than Four Weeks before Start of Period
• 4.11.  Clerkships at Other Institutions
• 4.12.  INDE 297: Reflection and Contextual Medicine
• 4.13.  Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Requirement
• 4.14.  Clinical Performance Exam (CPX) Series
• 4.15.  Curriculum and Assistantship Limits
• Section 5: Assessment of Student Academic Performance
• 5.1   Health Provider Involvement in Student Assessment
• 5.2   Evaluation of Performance in Courses
• 5.3   Exam Policy for Required MD Pre-Clerkship Courses
• 5.4   Evaluation of Performance in Clinical Clerkships
• 5.5   Standardized Patient Teaching and Assessment Activities
• 5.6   Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
• Section 6: Committee on Performance, Professionalism and Promotion (CP3)
• 6.1  Introduction
• 6.2  Standards for Performance and Satisfactory Progress
• 6.3  Promotion
• 6.4  Procedures for Addressing Performance, Professional and Technical Standards Concerns
• 6.5  Chart of Responses to Student Issues
• Section 7: Tuition and Financial Aid
• 7.1  Tuition Structure and Budget
• 7.2  Additional Fees
• 7.3  University Billing
• 7.4  Financial Aid
• 7.5  Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant Salary and Tuition Allowance Tables
• 7.6  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Section 8: Stanford University Policies
• 8.1  Stanford Bulletin; Administrative Guide
• 8.2  Nondiscrimination Policy
• 8.3  Community Standards
• 8.4  Prohibited Sexual Conduct
• 8.5  Consensual Sexual or Romantic Relationships in the Workplace and Educational Setting
• 8.6  Student Academic Grievance Procedure
• 8.7  Childbirth Accommodation Policy for Women Graduate Students at Stanford
• 8.8  Ownership and Use of Stanford Name and Trademarks
• 8.9  Computer and Network Usage Policy
• 8.10  Copyright
• 8.11  Smoke-Free Environment
• 8.12  Campus Safety and Criminal Statistics
• 8.13  California Department of Consumer Affairs Complaint Procedure 
• 8.14  Controlled Substances and Alcohol 
• 8.15  Stanford University Marijuana Policy Statement
• 8.16  Prohibition of the Possession of Dangerous Weapons on Campus