Note: This ran as a Special Edition email on Tuesday, October 8. As one of the included links was incorrect, we are running it here again in its entirety.
With Phase 3 around the corner, we will help prepare you with information on curriculum requirements, electives, scheduling processes, and more. Stay tuned to MD Students News over the next few weeks.
In the meantime, this Special Edition gives you a peek into what to expect in Phase 3, including core curriculum.
What can you expect in Phase 3?
Phase 3 builds on the foundational skills from Phase 1 and the clinical skills from Phase 2, preparing you for supervised clinical practice, scholarship, and service as you approach residency in 20 months.
Phase 3 offers the most flexibility and responsibility of any medical school phase. The curriculum includes required clinical rotations, a wide range of electives, and the residency-preparation course, Transitions 3.
There is ample time for Step exam preparation, residency interviews, and personal vacations.
IU School of Medicine also offers “Selective” options for Sub-Internships, Critical Care, and Transitions 3, allowing some customization based on career goals. Specialty Preparation Guides lend additional insight on this topic.
Visit the Medical Student Portal for more information (including FAQs) on Phase 3 curriculum beyond core offerings.
Core Phase 3 Courses
Emergency Medicine Clerkship
4 Weeks
You will develop critical competencies in diagnosis, management, and communication for urgent and emergent conditions. You will also take on primary care responsibilities under expert supervision.
Sub-Internship Selective
4 Weeks
The Sub-Internship (Sub-I) is a rotation during which you take on an expanded role in direct patient care—handling admission, diagnosis, treatment, transitions of care, and discharge under close supervision. Options include Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Surgery, or OB-GYN.
Critical Care Selective
4 Weeks
These rotations allow you to gain experience managing complex and critically ill patients. It focuses on recognizing and stabilizing critically ill patients before your first day of residency.
The Critical Care Selectives Catalog for AY 2025-2026 will be published soon. You can review the current year’s course options in the 2024-2025 Critical Care Selectives catalog.
Radiology
2 Weeks
You will complete a two-week radiology rotation. This course will review and integrate key lessons from the first two phases, contextualizing patients' inner structure and function.
Transitions 3
This course covers common clinical scenarios and specialty-specific topics. Tracks are offered in specific rotation months, with flexibility in scheduling. Students must be in Indianapolis for part of the month for hands-on experiences.
Electives
Minimum of 20 weeks
Details on electives and vacation time will be discussed in upcoming editions of MD Student News.
