How to Extend

In order to extend, a student will need to complete the Application to Extend. On the application, there are instructions on what additional steps you will need to take in order to apply for an extension.

Most students at UMass Chan Medical School will complete their course of study in four years. However, students may wish to pursue opportunities for research, other academic enrichment such as international programs, completion of work toward another degree, or may experience child care responsibilities, financial, health, personal or family problems. In addition, students may occasionally experience academic difficulty. For any of the above reasons, students may request program extension, or be recommended for program extension by the appropriate Academic Evaluation Board.

As of May 2, 1995, the following policy regarding Extended Students will apply. This policy will apply to matriculated UMass Chan Medical School, T.H. Chan School of Medicine students only.

A medical student will be considered to be on “Extended Student” status (“ES”) when that student’s anticipated year of graduation is more than four academic years from the academic year of admission. The change in student status will be effective from the date at which the student begins the action which will extend the program (i.e. withdraws from a required course, begins a leave of absence to do research or other enrichment program, enrolls for fewer than the usual full load of courses).

School policy requires a student to take a minimum of eight (8) semesters of enrollment and allows for a maximum of 12 semesters of enrollment in medical student courses to complete the MD degree.

Students MUST be registered for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours for that semester by two weeks before the start of the semester and must maintain a minimum enrollment of 9 credit hours during the semester in order to maintain active student status (eligibility for course credit, malpractice insurance, financial aid, etc.) 

Students should be aware that in many states, extended status will result in automatic review by the Board of Registration when the initial license is applied for. Because this may result in a minor time delay, students on Extended Status are therefore advised to apply for their temporary license as soon as feasible.

In addition, students should understand that in many states not more than seven (7) years may elapse between the initial passing of Step 1 of the USMLE and the taking of Step 3. Current information on this may be obtained at the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website.

Students enrolled for any medical school courses for credit, including students on ES status will be assessed the full medical school tuition for each semester of enrollment.

The first semester in which the student is enrolled for medical school courses for credit after completing eight full semesters of assessed UMass Chan Medical School tuition, excluding any prior semesters for which a Post Sophomore Fellowship tuition waiver was received (such as the “Pathology year”), the student’s status will change to “Extended Student/ Program Fee” (“ESPF” status).

Extended Students and the Financial Ramifications

Students in Extended Student Program Fee (ESPF) status will not be assessed tuition and will be required to pay a program fee plus all applicable student fees. Students in ESPF status will be considered full time, active, matriculated medical students. A student may continue in ESPF status for a maximum of four semesters.