Access and Learning

The College of Medicine-Phoenix strives for our learning experiences to be as accessible as possible for all students.

Temporary or Chronic Medical Conditions or Disabilities

If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on a temporary or chronic medical condition or disability, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC).

 CONTACT THE DRC

The DRC is the official department designated by the University of Arizona to determine and provide access to classes, programs, and activities for students with disabilities. These processes are designed to be convenient for students. The DRC is dedicated to keeping all personal student information confidential and complies with the standards set by the Family Education Records and Privacy Act (FERPA), applicable federal and/or state law, and university practices/policies.

Learn more about the DRC and access to learning


USMLE Testing Accommodations

The USMLE provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for accommodation. If you anticipate a need for accommodation based on a temporary or chronic medical condition or disability, you must submit your application for each Step exam and your request for test accommodations with required documentation at the same time. 

Review the USMLE testing accommodation process now
Review additional information about this process for Step 1 and Step 2 now
Review Dr. Lisa Meeks ' guide to disability accommodations for the USMLE Step exams created for the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (opens a PDF)

Special note: It may take up to 90 days to process your testing accommodation request. USMLE score reports do not include an annotation that a testing accommodation was granted.

Do I have a disability? 

I am not sure if I have a disability or medical condition that may warrant exam accommodations. If you suspect you have an undiagnosed disability that may impact your performance on USMLE Step 1 exam, contact the University of Arizona's Disability Resources Center (DRC) to find out next steps and possible resources for assessment. 

 

CONTACT THE DRC

 

I have a disability that is already documented. If so, go through the following checklist questions to determine next steps. 

  • Does the documentation justify the requested accommodation for the exam? If not, do you have the time and means to acquire the documentation needed to justify the request? 
  • Is the documentation current (within the past three years)? If not, you will need to obtain more current documentation. 
  • Can I provide supplemental information (observational supports, historical data, proof of past accommodations for prior exams, etc.) If not, work with the DRC and your Learning Specialist. 

If you answered "yes" to these questions move forward with your request for accommodations. If you answered "no" to any of the following questions, please work with the DRC and our office to determine next steps. 

Download and print a flow chart of this process (opens a PDF) developed by our colleagues in Student Development at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine in Tucson. 


Veterans Services

The University of Arizona strives to provide the support and resources necessary for student veterans to achieve academic success. Check out the following resources. If you have additional questions, please see your Learning Specialist