Types of Electives

Overview

Clinical Versus Non-Clinical

A minimum of Twelve (12) of the twenty-eight (28) weeks of required electives must be clinical electives; the other sixteen (16) can be used for tailor made nonclinical/research electives.

A clinical elective involves active participation in patient care or clinical decision-making. This includes direct patient interaction (e.g., in medicine, surgery, pediatrics) or indirect roles that directly influence patient care (e.g., diagnostic radiology, pathology when part of a clinical team).

Longitudinal Electives

Longitudinal Electives are 1–2 weeks in length depending on the elective and are found in the Empower catalog. Build your resume while contributing over time.

  • These electives are taken over the span of a semester or academic year

  • Longitudinal electives can be taken concurrently with another non-required rotation

  • Longitudinal electives are non-clinical except the two EHHOP Electives (MED2216 and PSY0463)

⚠️ Students cannot create tailor-made longitudinal electives. Only those listed in Empower are eligible.

ISMMS Electives in Empower

ISMMS Electives are primarily clinical (exception: longitudinal electives and a few nonclinical) and are found and registered on the Empower Catalog. There are multiple options across our clinical sites. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule electives as early as possible, even though the minimum registration deadline is 2 weeks prior to the start date. Note that availability is limited, and some electives only run at specific times of the year (e.g., Body Imaging, ECG).

The catalog for existing electives can be found on Empower.

Login information:

  • Username: student e-mail address

  • Password: student life number

Please change your password once you have successfully logged in (under the Account Management section).

You can login to your Empower account online anytime to view or manage course registration.

For more information about how to sign up on empower:

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How to Register for Electives on Empower.pdf
pdf

Must receive a confirmation email from the coordinator/director before beginning.

  • No reply after 3 business days? → Email the coordinator/director

  • No reply after 1 week? → Email ISMMSElective@mssm.edu

  • Empower issues? → Email electives@mssm.edu (Kamila Bryson, Assistant Registrar)

Clinical Tailor-Made Electives

Design your own experience to strengthen mentorship, deepen clinical skills, or explore new clinical environments. Students must work closely with a faculty mentor and submit the Clinical Tailor-Made Elective Proposal & Registration Form 2 weeks prior to starting the elective

Tailor-Made Research/Non-Clinical Electives

These electives include: writing (case study, medical humanities paper, literature review, drafting/editing manuscript), online courses, and research. Topics may include anything that is not considered clinical care or shadowing.

Any tailor-made elective longer than 4 weeks must be co-approved by Dr. Rojas and Dr. Singh

Tailor-Made Online Non-Clinical Electives: How to Register

Examples Help!: Check out Sample 1 and Sample 2 for ideas on how to structure your proposal.

Global Health Electives (Abroad)

Students can only take international electives that are offered in the elective catalog on Empower and must register at least 60 days before departure. Internal applications are reviewed by the Global Health Office (Dr. Darinka Gadikota-Klumpers), while external applications may include interviews or forms from the host institution.

Away Electives

Electives taken at other institutions. Students may apply through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) system or may apply to electives at other institutions not listed in the VSLO system.

Once accepted:

You can find more details about the Away Electives.

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