MD Program
LCME Accreditation
In This Section
LCME Accreditation Process
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the national accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the MD degree in the U.S. and Canada. LCME accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process of quality assurance that determines whether a medical education program meets established standards outlined in the functions and structure of a Medical School. This accreditation is required in most states for licensing graduates and for receiving federal financial aid. Programs are required to demonstrate that their graduates exhibit general professional competencies that are appropriate for entry to the next stage of their training and that serve as the foundation for lifelong learning and proficient medical care. Only graduates of LCME-accredited schools are eligible for residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) purposes.
The MD degree programs at Penn State College of Medicine were last reviewed by the LCME in 2018 and received full accreditation. Penn State College of Medicine will be resurveyed in February 2026. Additional information on accreditation status can be found at the LCME website.
LCME accreditation status can be verified by contacting the LCME Secretariat at lcme@aamc.org.
Independent Student Analysis
In the spring of 2025, students at Penn State College of Medicine conducted the Independent Student Analysis (ISA), a core component of the LCME reaccreditation process, which allows the student body to voice satisfaction and concerns regarding their experiences at the College of Medicine. This evaluation aims to assess the institution holistically, celebrate the school’s strengths and foster constructive dialogue between students, faculty, and administrators, and identify opportunities for improvement.
This report was prepared by the ISA committee using the results of the ISA student survey. This survey was written by students and consisted of prescribed questions, both qualitative and quantitative, that served to assess the College of Medicine in accordance with the LCME’s standards. The committee also opted to include several school-specific questions, thereby highlighting unique components of Penn State College of Medicine's curriculum. A total of 593 students received the ISA student survey, and 536 students responded. Given the high degree of participation (90.38%), we believe that these results are representative of the student body as a whole.