University of Colorado Denver:

Department of Family Medicine

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Student Benchmarks for DFM
MSA Project Completion

Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
Phase IV
Capstone Presentation


Phase I
  • Select a thematic area, project and mentor by March 31
  • complete and submit the first MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by March 31
  • Mentor reviews and signs MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by March 31

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Phase II
  • Update and submit MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by March 20 (this is the final exam equivalent for the MSA course)
  • Mentor and Associate Director reviews and signs updated MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by March 20

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Phase III
  • Meet with mentor between third to fifth clerkship
  • Meet with Associate Director by the end of the Fall semester (during ICC)
  • Update and submit MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by January 15 (this is the final exam equivalent for the MSA course)
  • Mentor reviews and signs updated MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by January 15
  • Completion of your updated Comprehensive Plan Form will aid in your residency applications during Phase IV

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Phase IV
  • Work on project between April and December
  • Communicate with your Associate Director
  • Meet regularly with your mentor
  • Submit first draft of paper or updated MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by December 15
  • Submit final Mentor reviewed and signed updated MSA Comprehensive Plan Form by December 15
  • Complete scholarly product by January of Phase IV
  • Submit final 10-25 page MSA paper by February 1
  • Prepare and deliver a capstone presentation of your project in March

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Capstone Presentation
  • Submit a 10-25 page paper on your scholarly project by February 1
  • Prepare and present a poster
  • Present project to classmates and faculty during Match Week: third week of March (See MSA Rubrics for evaluation criteria)
  • Students MUST pass the MSA course to graduate

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