M3 Elective Information

Brody School of Medicine students are given time in the M3 year for two 2-week clinical electives. These electives are intended to be opportunities to engage in career exploration. The electives follow the OB/GYN and Psychiatry clerkships. These are mandatory experiences, and students may pursue electives in whatever disciplines they choose. Students are generally expected to choose electives in clinical disciplines, but a basic science elective is also allowed when related to career exploration. If a student has already firmly selected a career choice, they could elect to pursue some aspect of that discipline in depth. Or, they could elect to spend time in a more “systems” oriented experience designed to enhance their understanding of health economics, health care systems, evidence-based medicine, public health, preventive medicine, or similar topics. Clinical research could also serve as the basis of an elective but should be part of a broader context of research. A letter from the research mentor will be required.

The implementation of these electives requires careful ADVANCED planning, including these steps:

• Identify a potential site and primary preceptor
• Formulate educational objectives for the experience
• Complete all required paperwork, including signature of preceptor

The deadline for submission is two months prior to the start of the elective. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that the elective paperwork is submitted to Student Affairs on time.

International rotations are not allowed for fulfillment of the M3 elective requirement.

The electives will receive pass/fail grades in the official student transcript.

M3 Elective Ideas

• Previously utilized M3 Electives – listed here
• New preceptors/sites of a student’s own design
• Brody M3 Catalog courses (Course descriptions are found in the OME M3 Catalog, and course contact people are found in the OSA Course Availability listing)