TCC Policy Changes Impacting Core Concept Courses and NBCE Parts I & II Eligibility

TCC has conducted an extensive analysis of the correlation between GPA and success on the NBCE examinations by its students. The data shows that students with a 3.25 or better GPA pass all parts of Parts I & II at a rate of 98% on the first try, and students with a GPA of 2.8-3.24 have an 85% pass rate. Additionally, all TCC students who have passed four or five parts of the boards on their first attempt successfully pass the remaining part(s) on the second try at a rate of 90%.

With that in mind, the administrative cabinet is instituting these policy changes which are aimed at ensuring that first-time takers of Parts I & II of national boards are at an acceptable knowledge level at the time of the exams, improving the success of the individual student.

Core Concepts Courses (BS-4000/4020 and CS-7000/7020)

There are three categories of students who are affected by the policy changes pertaining to progress tests and Core Concepts courses, effective SP-11 trimester.

1. Students with a GPA of 3.25 or higher will not be required to take the progress test or the Core Concepts course.

2. Students with a GPA of 2.80 - 3.24 will not be required to take the progress test but will be enrolled in the Independent Study Core Concepts course. Successful completion of the capstone exam at the end of the Core Concepts course will make the student eligible for the pertinent NBCE examination.

3. Students with a GPA below 2.80 will be required to take the progress test. The grade on the progress test will determine whether the student is enrolled in the Independent Study or Faculty Directed Core Concepts course. Successful completion of the capstone exam at the end of the Core Concepts course will make the student eligible for the pertinent NBCE examination.

NBCE Eligibility (First-time Applicants, Parts I & II)

In addition to the successful completion of the appropriate Core Concepts Courses, students who successfully complete their course materials (Basic Sciences in TR1-4 for Part I; Clinical Sciences in TR1-7 for Part II) but do not take the board exams directly following their initial eligibility will be required to retake the relevant Core Concepts – Independent Studies course.

For example, Student X will be in TR-5 this summer, has a 2.75, successfully completed BS-4020 (Core Concepts in Basic Sciences ) in the spring and is eligible to take Part I in the fall. If for some reason, X chooses to delay taking Part I until the spring, he/she will be required to take Core Courses in Basic Sciences – Independent Studies prior to sitting boards.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each student at TCC for taking appropriate progress tests, enrolling in Core Concepts, and getting re-enrolled in Core Concepts if he/she skipped boards. Students unsure of their status, NBCE Part I & II eligibility, or general academic standing, or with questions about these policies, should contact the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible.