The purpose of this policy is to recognize students who partially complete medical school education but are unable to complete all years of medical school training for various reasons at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (“The Warren Alpert Medical School”).

This policy applies to eligible students of The Warren Alpert Medical School.

Medical students may be considered for a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree in lieu of their medical degrees. Prior to dismissal or voluntary withdrawal, students may discuss this option with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, if they meet the following criteria:

• have successfully completed, at a minimum, the first year of The Warren Alpert Medical School; and
• are unable to meet the remaining requirements of their medical training due to personal, medical, or academic reasons.

Students must also either have:

• been dismissed from The Warren Alpert Medical School for academic reasons, or
• voluntarily withdrawn from The Warren Alpert Medical School.

In order to be considered for a MMS degree, students must meet the following requirements:

• successful completion of all curricular requirements for Year 1;
• student has not previously received an MMS degree from any institution;
• completion of a scholarly project commensurate with the Gateways Capstone Project or completion of academic paper that has been approved by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education; and
• be in good professionalism standing. Students who have received a professionalism citation or who have been dismissed from The Warren Alpert Medical School for professionalism reasons are not eligible for the MMS degree. Students on professionalism warning can be considered for the MMS degree at the discretion of the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.

All eligible students must have written approval from the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education in order to be considered for this MMS degree.

Students who are eligible for the MMS are no longer enrolled as medical students and, therefore, are not eligible for financial aid.

If awarded an MMS degree, students are not able to utilize that same coursework in the reapplication process for any other medical school.

See the Medical Student Handbook for the process to request consideration for the MMS degree.

All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.

Offices of Medical Education and Student Affairs: Will collaborate to ensure applicants for the MMS degree meet the above criteria.

Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education: Will approve requests for the MMS degree.

Graduate School: Will confer the MMS degree.

Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures, or for non-employees may result in the suspension or revocation of the user’s relationship with Brown University. 

Brown University is a community in which individuals are encouraged to share concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).

The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.