Requirements for Graduation

Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine must have fulfilled the following conditions:

Reached the age of 21 years and be of good moral character, as required by law
Been enrolled at least four academic years as full-time medical students

Completed satisfactorily the required work and passed the prescribed examinations. Students in the combined degree programs with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Union College and Siena College must successfully complete all undergraduate course requirements.

Taken and submitted scores from the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Step I must be taken following the second year and prior to beginning the third year. Step II can be taken anytime during the fourth year but must be taken prior to graduation.

Discharged all financial obligations to the College, including the College Bookstore

Satisfied all requirements of the Student Health Service

Cleared any outstanding obligations with the:

College Library

Office of Academic Services

Cashier's Office

Security Office

Financial Aid Office

College Mail Room

Student Records Office
Students who have complied with these regulations are recommended to the Board of Trustees of Albany Medical College for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Attendance at the Annual Commencement Exercises is required for all degree candidates. Degrees can be conferred in absentia only upon prior approval obtained from the Office of the Dean.

Honors
Prior to graduation, a faculty committee reviews the academic performance of all students to ascertain which students, if any, merit the receipt of the degree of Doctor of Medicine with Honors. Honors are classified as Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude. Uniformly high levels of academic performance, completion of creditable research and other academic and personal characteristics are considered in extending these honors.

Distinction in Research
The degree of Doctor of Medicine with Distinction in Research may be awarded to selected students who satisfy the rigorous requirements established for this degree. Information concerning this honor is available from the Graduate Studies Program Office.

Licensing Exams
A graduate of Albany Medical College who wishes to obtain a license to practice medicine must take the United States Medical Licensing Examinations. Graduates of the College are admitted unconditionally to these examinations.

Residency and Fellowship Programs
Upon completion of medical school and participation in the National Resident Matching Program, a student enters the world of Graduate Medical Education (GME) in one of the clinical specialties that provide three to seven years of advanced clinical training leading to eligibility for certification by the various specialty boards. Fellowships for additional clinical or research training in the subspecialty disciplines are also available at the Albany Medical Center for those residents who plan to pursue an academic, research or subspecialty-oriented career.

Guided by our mission and our strategic plan, Albany Medical Center maintains an institutional commitment to excellence in medical education, biomedical research and patient care. Our obligation to medical education and to you includes our promise that you will be offered challenges commensurate with your enthusiasm and appetite for knowledge.

Those interested in the details of residency and fellowship programs at the Albany Medical Center Hospital may write directly to:

Graduate Medical Education
Albany Medical Center
43 New Scotland Avenue, Mail Code 50
Albany, New York 12208-3478