SOM Accreditation

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LCME Overview

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About LCME

LCME Composition

LCME Standards

Overview of the Steps in a Full Accreditation Review

Possible LCME Actions

Students' Role in the Accreditation Process 

About LCME

  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME); supported by the American Medical Association (AMA) and Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) since founding in 1942
  • Accrediting organization for the medical education programs in the US
  • Sets standards for programs and assesses compliance with those standards
  • Although voluntary, LCME accreditation is necessary for:
    • Access to licensure exams (i.e., United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE))
    • Admission to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency programs
    • Eligibility for state medical licensure for graduates
    • Federal grants and loans for students and schools
  • Assesses each program every 8 years via a full survey site visit
  • Assures high quality medical education and a high-quality physician workforce for the public
  • Conducts approximately 20-30 site visits per year

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LCME Composition

  • 19-member committee
    • 14 professional members; 7 nominated by the AMA and 7 nominated by the AAMC
    • 2 student members
    • 2 (minimum) public members
  • Secretariat (Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and a few others)
    • 2 Co-Secretaries; 1 appointed by the AMA and 1 appointed by the AAMC
    • 1 or more field secretaries
    • Non-voting, full-time, most-knowledgeable LCME staff

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LCME Standards

  • 12 Standards
  • Each standard comprised of 6-12 elements for a total of 92 elements (90 elements for schools without regional campuses)
    1. Mission, Planning, Organization, and Integrity
    2. Leadership and Administration
    3. Academic and Learning Environments
    4. Faculty Preparation, Productivity, Participation, and Policies
    5. Educational Resources and Infrastructure
    6. Competencies, Curricular Objectives, and Curricular Design
    7. Curricular Content
    8. Curricular Management, Evaluation, and Enhancement
    9. Teaching, Supervision, Assessment, and Student and Patient Safety
    10. Medical Student Selection, Assignment, and Progress
    11. Medical Student Academic Support, Career Advising, and Educational Records
    12. Medical Student Health Services, Personal Counseling, and Financial Aid Services

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Overview of the Steps in a Full Accreditation Review

  • Completion of the data collection instrument (DCI), the independent student analysis (ISA), and compilation of supporting documents
  • Analysis of the DCI and other information sources, including the ISA, by institutional self-study task force and development of the self-study summary report for review by the LCME
  • Action on full accreditation by the LCME

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Possible LCME Actions

  • Grant accreditation status (accredited; accredited, preliminary status; accredited, provisional status)
  • Continue an accreditation status, with or without specifying the term of accreditation
  • Continue accreditation, but place the program on warning
  • Continue accreditation, but place the program on probation
  • Deny accreditation
  • Withdraw accreditation

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Students' Role in the Accreditation Process

  • Required participation in the self-study (serves on committees and conducts the Independent Student Analysis (student survey))
  • Required participation in the site visit
  • Full members of the LCME

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Office of Medical Education, UMMC SOM; 06/30/2025
Email ummc_lcme@umc.edu for more information.
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