Grade System
Pre-Clinical Rotation Grades
Module grades (PMS 1 and PMS 2 years) are based on an Honors, High Pass, Pass, Fail System. Each module provides students with its own School of Podiatric Medicine Curriculum Committee (SPMCC)-approved grading rubric.
Achievement of at least 70% in module grades for PMS 1 and PMS 2 will be considered passing. All grades below 70% will be considered failing.
Pre-Clerkship grades are converted to scores where:
At the end of each pre-clinical year (not including PMMD 8600), a grade point average will be calculated using a 4.0 scale to assist SOPM students with post-graduate residency education placement. Averaging the students’ numerical grade point equivalent earned for all modules for Years 1 and 2. UTRGV is developing a system for GPA calculations, which will be available yearly, at least manually, by AY 2025-2026 until full automation is implemented. GPA should be available at the end of each preclinical year and accessible to students, as it will be used for Dean’s List and annual ranking.
Clerkship grades (PMS 3 and PMS 4 years) are based on either the Honors/High Pass/Pass/No Pass System or the Pass/No Pass System. Each clerkship provides students with its own SPMCC-approved grading rubric.
Grading System for Year 3 Clinical Rotations:
A comprehensive and holistic approach for assessment and ranking will be utilized in the clerkship years. The podiatric medical student’s progress to clinical competency will be evaluated and measured by how well the student can translate and apply the didactic knowledge from the pre-clinical years in the clinical setting. The clinical skills and behaviors of the developing physician will be the central focus of the assessment process during the clerkship years.
Criterion vs. Norm Referenced Evaluation:
The UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine uses a criterion-referenced evaluation system in clinical rotations, where students are assessed based on predefined standards. Students who meet these criteria can pass, regardless of their peers' performance. This contrasts with a norm-referenced system, which ranks students relative to one another and limits the number of top performers.
The final grade for the rotation will be determined on a Pass/Fail basis, except for PMSB 9313, for which the final grade does not include the shelf exam.
Grading System for Year 4 Clinical Rotations
The grading for clinical rotations in Year 4 will be on a pass/fail basis, using the same criteria as Year 3, excluding the shelf exam. Mid-point assessments are not required for rotations outside the Rio Grande Valley (RGV).
Grades are not rounded up or down; therefore, a score of 69.999% or below is considered a failing grade.
Final grades for all courses (PMS 1 to PMS 4) must be entered into ASSIST by the designated official and made available to students within three weeks as the recommended guideline with six weeks as the absolute requirement from the end date of the course.
Monitoring of the timely submission of grades is the responsibility of the Office of Student Affairs.
Confidentiality of Grades: Module, clerkship, selective, and elective directors are accountable for ensuring the confidentiality of all student educational records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended. Congruent with this responsibility, module, clerkship, selective, and elective directors will not post or display, either electronically or in hard copy, lists of students' grades in personally identifiable forms, including the student names, any four consecutive digits of student Social Security numbers, or student identification numbers.
Grade Appeals: Students may appeal a grade through the academic grievance process.
Remediation: Students who do not pass a module, clerkship, externship or elective may be required to remediate a course.
Grades and Class Rank
Consequences of Failure to Meet Academic Professional and Behavioral Requirements and Standards
Academic Deficiencies
Student Evaluation, Promotion and Graduation
Student Academic Grievance and Grade Appeals
Failure to Pass APMLE 1 and APMLE 2