NYU School of Medicine Student Handbook - Technical, Non-Academic Standards

Sep 22, 2026

Technical, non-academic standards define the minimum behavioral, communication, ethical, intellectual, motor, and observation abilities required to succeed in the NYU School of Medicine curriculum. The document explains that these technical standards, alongside faculty-established academic standards, guide admission, promotion, and graduation decisions. It also describes eligibility for applicants, including how accommodations may be considered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, while clarifying when accommodations are not reasonable.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Technical, Non-Academic Standards

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Communication

Ethics and Professionalism

Intellectual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities

Motor

Observation

NYU School of Medicine Student Handbook Technical, Non-Academic Standards All candidates for the Doctor of Medicine degree must possess the physical and mental skills and abilities necessary to successfully complete the NYU School of Medicine curriculum. To achieve the optimal educational experience, students are required to participate in all phases ofour training program. The study of medicine is not a pure intellectual exercise but rather a specific set of minimum physical, mental, emotional, social abilities and professionalism that are needed to be a successful student and physician. To successfully complete our medical school curriculum students must possess all of the abilities and characteristics listed in the following six categories: • behavioral and social attributes • communication • ethics and professionalism • intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities • motor • observation These abilities and characteristics are defined as technical standards, which, in conjunction with academic standards established by the faculty, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. The NYU School of Medicine will consider for admission any applicant who meets its academic and non-academic criteria and who demonstrates the ability to perform the skills listed in this document, with or without reasonable accommodations, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. An accommodation is not reasonable if it poses a direct threat to the health or safety of self and/or others, if making it requires a substantial modification in an essential element of the curriculum, if it lowers academic standards, or if it poses an undue administrative or financial burden. BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES: Candidates must demonstrate the maturity and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities. They must accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment, and promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. Candidates must be able to work effectively, respectfully, and professionally as part of the healthcare team, and to interact with patients, their families, and healthcare personnel in a courteous, professional, and respectful manner. They must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and long work hours, to function effectively under stress, and to display flexibility and adaptability to changing environments. Candidates must be able to contribute to a collaborative, constructive learning environment; accept constructive feedback from others; and take personal responsibility for their actions. COMMUNICATION: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and efficiently speak, write, hear, read, and use technology to communicate with patients, families, and members of the health care team. Candidates must be able to record information accurately and clearly. They must have the capacity for comfortable verbal and non-verbal communication and interpersonal skills, to enable effective caregiving of patients and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. Candidates must also communicate effectively in English with other health care professionals in a variety of patient settings. ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM: Candidates must care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected status. They must maintain ethical and moral behavior consistent with professional standards for interactions with students, faculty, staff, patients, and the public. They must understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within both the law and ethical standards of the medical profession. Professionalism, compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all qualities that are expected throug

FAQs

What are the six categories of technical standards required for candidates?

Candidates must demonstrate behavioral and social attributes, communication, ethics and professionalism, intellectual-conceptual/integrative/quantitative abilities, motor abilities, and observation skills.

How do technical standards relate to academic standards in decisions like admission, promotion, and graduation?

Technical standards are defined as requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation and are used together with academic standards established by the faculty.

When are accommodations considered non-reasonable under the policy?

An accommodation is not reasonable if it poses a direct threat to health or safety, requires a substantial modification of an essential curricular element, lowers academic standards, or creates an undue administrative or financial burden.

Sep 22, 2026

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