Accreditation 2016-2017

What is accreditation?

LCME accreditation is a peer-reviewed study conducted to determine whether a medical education program meets established standards. This quality assurance process is an opportunity for self-study and reflection that can foster improvements to our programs and institutions.

Why is it important?

In addition to assuring the quality of an institution's medical education program, accreditation by LCME establishes eligibility for selected federal grants and programs, including Title VII funding administered by the U.S. Public Health Service. Most state boards of licensure require that U.S. medical schools granting the MD degree be accredited by the LCME as a condition for licensure of their graduates.

Eligibility of U.S. students in MD-granting schools to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) requires LCME accreditation of their school. Graduates of LCME-accredited schools are eligible for residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

To maintain accreditation, medical education programs offering an MD degree in the United States and Canada must meet the accreditation standards, which can be found in the LCME document Functions and Structure of a Medical School.

What requirements must we meet?

Programs must show that their medical school graduates have mastered general professional competencies that are foundational for the next stage of professional training as well as for lifelong learning and proficient medical care. 

What's next?

With the launch of our self-study process in October 2015, we began:

• Gathering comprehensive data on what we do and how we do it
• Engaging in a thorough self-study of our institutions and processes
• Conducting an independent student analysis

Through this rigorous year-long study, we will identify our strengths and challenges that will shape the future of the UC Irvine School of Medicine. This process will culminate with a mock review in in November 2016 in preparation for the LCME on-site visit in January 2017.

Accreditation review is an opportunity to engage in a thorough self-examination of our programs and processes to ensure that we are meeting and exceeding the highest standards for medical training and patient care in the nation today.

We have established a task force and several subcommittees composed of highly respected faculty and staff members to conduct this review. We also have a committee of more than 30 medical students leading an independent analysis.