See below for information on the different kinds of electives for which students can register during their time in the MD programs.
Pre-Clerkship Electives are completely optional courses taken during the first two years of medical school. These electives expose students to new skills, environments, and ideas early in their medical education and take on a wide variety of formats. A full list of pre-clerkship electives is available in the Course Catalog.
Students apply to Pre-Clerkship Electives using the means detailed in the spreadsheet below. Once the elective experience concludes, rosters and grades are delivered by faculty and student leaders.
Elective spreadsheet--This spreadsheet keeps track of semester-specific elective information, including how to apply to each elective. You must be logged into Google with your Case email account to view the spreadsheet.
Electives fall within four categories: 1) patient care, 2) non-patient care, 3) research, and 4) education. These courses provide opportunities for students to pursue education in areas of personal interest. A description of the elective offerings and expectations for student performance is available in the Course Catalog.
Elective rotations are taken in two- and four-week increments. All two-week rotations are graded with either a score of "Meets or Exceeds Expectations" or "Unsatisfactory." Four-week rotations use either the "Meets or Exceeds Expectations" or "Unsatisfactory" scale or a tiered scale of "Honors," "Commendable," "Satisfactory," or "Unsatisfactory."
All students must take 8 weeks of Acting Internships. For more information, see the AI policy from the Medical Student Handbook.
Unlisted electives are unique electives that contain content not found in any elective listed in the Course Catalog. These electives are arranged between students and their chosen faculty and can take place at one of our affiliated hospitals as well as anywhere in the domestic U.S. or internationally.
Students must submit unlisted elective requests in cSRS along with a course description from the home institution and written confirmation from the host sponsor. The completed form must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the proposed start date.
For more information on scheduling unlisted electives not hosted by an affiliate hospital, see our Away Rotations page.
International electives must be registered through the Office of Education Abroad and in cSRS as unlisted electives. Any student in the World Medicine Pathway will receive listed elective credit for international electives and will not have to complete the Unlisted Elective Form.
Effective October 12, 2023: students will only receive AI credit for away rotations if the course is explicitly designated as an Acting Internship or Sub-internship in the course title or course description by the host institution.