Specialty Specific Transitions Phase

Required Block Clerkships: Specialty Specific Transitions Phase

• EMMD 7504 (Emergency Medicine)

  • [pre-req MED 7500 and SURG 7400]

• INMD 79XX (ICU Acting Internship)

  • [pre-req MED 7500, and depending on the activity PED 7501 or SURG 7400]

• Becoming a Doctor III, IV, and V

  • three 1-week courses in Specialty Specific Transitions phase;  all students scheduled for this on-campus course during designated intersession weeks (see calendar)

• View all credit requirements here

Specialty Specific Transitions Phase Designs

The Specialty Specific Transitions phase pulls together a series of designs that were specifically developed by experts in each specialty to prepare you to submit a strong application, participate in the interview and Match process, and complete your preparation for your chosen specialty. These designs provide a clear guide that can cut through a confusing swirl of information about how to prepare for the next stage in your training.

As you move through this process, it is natural to have questions. Please don’t hesitate to submit a question here. We collect your questions and provide answers in an FAQ to share with the class so you can all benefit from your classmates’ curiosity. 

Specialty Specific Transitions Phase Scheduling Process

The below timeline applies to students preparing to enter the Specialty Specific Transitions phase of their learning.

In September, you’ll receive detailed explanatory materials from the academic advising team and you’re encouraged to set up an appointment to discuss your specialty discernment process with your advisor. We expect all of you to be in different stages of certainty about your specialty of choice and your academic advisor can work with you to develop the most strategic scheduling plan regardless as to where you are in your process. 

In October, you’ll receive your Specialty Interest Survey where you’ll select up to three specialties you are interested in pursuing. You’ll have 10 days to complete the survey. This survey will be critical in preparing the Transitions phase to work for everyone. The results of the surveys will guide the clinical scheduling and curriculum teams to determine which clinical courses will need to be pre-scheduled to manage capacity limitations. It will also signal the curriculum team to work with faculty specialty directors and leads to address any unexpected capacity needs. 

In November, after pre-scheduling is complete, you’ll participate in the self-scheduling process to build the remainder of your schedule based on the design or designs you are following. Each design, in combination with a completed Clinical Immersion phase, will satisfy all the remaining required courses for graduation. The designs will also provide information about recommended electives to help you use your required elective credits to your best advantage. Remember, there is a minimum elective requirement but no maximum. Please take full advantage of the course catalog to explore and learn throughout your Transitions phase. 

Starting in January, you will begin entering the Specialty-specific Transitions phase, with a majority of students entering in March, as soon as they complete their Clinical Immersion phase. 

Specialty Specific Transitions Phase Resources

Clinical Housing Program

Link to page here to:

• • Request the host/housing list

  • Submit a housing stipend application (must meet requirements listed in application)

Credit Policies and Exceptions

View credit policies and exceptions here

Medical Student Policies 

Please review all policies prior to entering Clinical Immersion Phase! You can view policies here.

Medical Student Space at Major Clinical Sites

View this linked document for information on secure storage and study space for medical students. This document is also linked in your course Canvas page.

Minnesota Background Study

• How to download a replacement copy

MSPE Resources

• Student Guide: Comments for the MSPE (co2026)

• MSPE Comment Breakdown by Clerkship

Preparing for Your Required Clerkships Resource for Medical Students

View this linked document for information on:

• • Planning for the first day

  • ILT Time

  • Clerkship Exams

  • Clinical Accommodations

Site Placement Process for Required Clerkships

Read the site placement process for required clerkships here.

Specialty Specific Transitions Designs

Review the Specialty-Specific Transitions designs here.