About Us Office of the Dean Education Student Services Departments Hospitals Research Admissions Financial Aid Alumni Parents
Extramural Electives

Extramural Electives

Many students spend a portion of their elective time at another institution. This is often a part of the residency selection process. There is a limit of ten weeks of away electives that can be taken without reducing vacation time. Students may wish to speak with their faculty advisors in choosing away electives.

To register for an away elective, the student should first write to the institution in question. In addition to indicating the elective of interest, they should indicate that a written evaluation of their performance will be required by the Alpert Medical School, and they should request written confirmation of acceptance into the elective. A copy of such confirmation must be filed with the Clerkship Coordinator before the program is to begin.

The AAMC has a website to assist students applying for extramural electives.
> View AAMC

Students who will be away from AMS for electives should leave a temporary address with the Clerkship Coordinator. They should also make arrangements with the mailroom for the handling of their notices and correspondence.

Note: all medical students in Years II through IV are covered by comprehensive personal liability insurance that covers them during activities at other institutions as long as they are formally enrolled in an education exercise previously approved by the Clerkship Coordinator. AMS students are covered under our malpractice insurance plan when they are writing orders so long as they are countersigned by a licensed supervising physician.

The requirement for surgery-related electives is four weeks. However, this can be fulfilled by any combination of weeks equaling at least four.

  • Anesthesiology 401, 402
  • Breast Disease 497
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery 411, 427 & 428
  • Critical Care 335
  • Emergency Medicine 562 & 563 & 565
  • Endocrine Surgery 414
  • Gynecologic Oncology & Pelvic Surgery 495
  • Hand & Upper Extremity 398
  • Head/Neck Path.- Maxillofacial 423
  • Neurosurgery 380
  • Nutrition 423
  • Ophthalmology 403, 404, 407
  • Orthopaedic surgery 395, 396, 397, & 400
  • Otolaryngology 421
  • Pediatric Surgery 410
  • Pediatric Urology 453
  • Plastic Surgery 417 & 424
  • Radiology electives 628, 629, 632, 633, 636, 638, 639
  • Surgery of the Alimentary Tract 392
  • Surgical Intensive Care Unit 394
  • Pathology 611
  • Trauma 425
  • Urology 415, 453