Overview
To complete Phase IV, a student must complete 32 weeks of senior (8000 level) Clerkships, including at least one sub-internship and four (4) weeks of the required Integrated Clinician Courses. The sub-internship, as defined by each site, is at a minimum, a four-week clerkship at the 8000 level with inpatient care responsibilities, primary patient care responsibility and call, as defined by the Clerkship Block Directors. Students are also required to sit for USMLE Step 2, Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills exams by November 1 of the year prior to their planned graduation. Students requesting a delay in sitting for these exams who have extraordinary need, may request a postponement from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs may grant a delay up to December 31. After that, the student’s failure to sit for the exams is reported to the Student Promotions Committee and the student may not take additional clerkships until the exams have been completed.

Phase IV students are encouraged to take some of their clerkships, including sub-internships, outside of Colorado to widen their professional experience. These “away” rotations should be a minimum four weeks long. Phase IV students may take a maximum sixteen weeks of clerkships/courses outside Colorado. Students may petition the Student Promotions Committee for additional time away from Colorado. There is no limit on the number of AHEC rotations taken in Colorado or Wyoming except as limited by availability.