Medical Program Electives Policy

The medical program curriculum of Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine required fourth-year medical students to complete five elective courses or clerkships, and one selective, of four weeks’ duration each. The electives give the student the opportunity to gain exposure to careers of their interest and widen the students’ career options.

1. At the third-year mid-clerkship feedback session in each clerkship, career counseling must be offered to help students be aware of the diversity of career options and the electives offered in each clinical department.
2. The PHSU-SOM Electives Manual must contain a description of all elective clerkships and courses offered under the auspices of PHSU-SOM departments at the affiliated clinical sites or developed by the Basic Sciences Department. The Manual must be available to the student when selecting his/her electives.
3. Other elective preceptorships may be authorized by directors of the departments, if the student provides clear objectives for the elective and the CV and specialty board certification of the elective supervising physician, for evaluation. Students are not allowed to do any required or elective rotation with a family member. (See Conflict of Interest in Student-Faculty Relationship Policy)
4. Students must be oriented about the resources available to apply for electives at other LCME-accredited institutions (AAMC Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS) website).
5. Students are not allowed to do more than one elective rotation under the supervision of the same physician unless the student presents a rationale such as ongoing research participation.
6. Students are encouraged to use the six elective periods in the 4th year to gain experience in more than one specialty which allows them to diversify their options and explore other fields in addition to their chosen specialty.
7. Credit for a past experience (research, clinic participation, etc.) is not allowed.
8. Students must complete a 4-week selective course in one of the following primary care specialties: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Ob-Gyn.