Students at Medical University of the Americas are expected to adhere to high standards of academic performance and personal conduct throughout their participation in the Medical School program. Faculty advisors and the Promotions Committee play an active role in reviewing student performance. Failure to adhere to the standards of academic performance and conduct may result in dismissal of the student from the program.
Attendance
The faculty and administration at MUA requires regular and punctual attendance in all classes. Attendance and active participation in class will benefit classmates, colleagues, and enhance the individual student’s knowledge base. Therefore, students are expected to attend all Basic Science classes and clinical rotations. Students who are absent from 20% or more of the Basic Science classes will have to repeat the class and are subject to dismissal from the M.D. program. Individual professors reserve the right to implement a more stringent attendance policy at their discretion.
Honor System
Medical University of the Americas is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, academic performance, professional behavior, and respect for each other as individuals. Students are expected to maintain these high standards of professional behavior in all aspects of their medical school training, in both the academic setting and in the community.
Students are required to sign an Honor Code contract prior to matriculation stating that s/he will maintain a high degree of personal honor and integrity during their medical training. Breach of this contract may result in sanctions ranging from a warning to the student’s dismissal from school. The rights and responsibilities of students with regard to regulations pertaining to student conduct can be found in the current Student Handbook.
Dismissal
A student may be involuntarily dismissed from the MUA for any of the following reasons:
Failure to maintain academic performance as determined by the Promotions Committee such as:
- Failure ("WF" or "F") of any course.
- Withdrawal, Failure, or Withdrawal-Failure in any repeated course.
- Failure to achieve credit for at least two courses (excluding Evidence-Based Medicine and electives) in any semester.
Violation of the laws or statutes of the island of St. Kitts-Nevis.
Demonstration of behavioral or emotional instability that impairs judgment and/or represents a potential compromise to patient care.
Violation of the substance-abuse policy of The Medical University of the Americas, as printed in the Student Handbook.
Failure to progress in the Clinical Medicine program for the following reasons:
- Extensive and multiple Leaves of Absence
- Multiple USMLE failures
- Unethical conduct
Appeal
Every student has the right to file a grievance or appeal a decision. Students seeking to resolve problems or complaints should first contact their instructor. If a student wants to appeal a decision by the Promotions or Disciplinary Committees s/he must submit his/her appeal in writing to the appropriate Associate Dean. The Associate Deans will make a decision after receiving the appeal request whether to accept or deny. (Refer to Student Handbook).
Examinations
Examinations will be given in each basic science course throughout the semester with final exams given at the end of each semester. Quizzes, oral presentations, and writing assignments may be used at the discretion of the instructor. Examinations are generally given in a format compatible with that of the USMLE and will include laboratory and clinical skills assessment when appropriate. A Shelf Exam is offered in a specific subject every semester. Students are required to be present at the scheduled time for every examination. Scheduled examination policy and procedures are determined by the faculty and presented to the students at the beginning of each course, as well as outlined in the class syllabus and Student Handbook.
Student Promotions Committee
The Student Promotions Committee is responsible for reviewing the academic performance of each student during, and at the end of each semester. Students who fail to perform to the standards of Medical University of the Americas will either be placed on Academic Probation, or if already on Academic Probation, may be recommended for dismissal from the program (Refer to student handbook).
