CUSOM LCME Accreditation

What is the LCME?

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in the United States. It operates under the joint sponsorship of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association (AMA). The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the LCME as the official accrediting body for medical education programs in the U.S.

Importance of LCME Accreditation

LCME accreditation is essential for several reasons:

• It is a requirement in most states for medical school graduates to obtain licensure.
• It ensures eligibility for federal financial aid programs.
• Only graduates of LCME-accredited institutions are eligible for residency training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
• The accreditation status of medical schools is publicly available on the LCME Directory of Accredited MD Programs in the United States.

CUSOM LCME Accreditation Status

The University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM) underwent its most recent LCME review in March 2025. The next comprehensive site visit is scheduled for the 2032-33 academic year.

For more details, visit the LCME website or contact them via email at lcme@aamc.org.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) at CUSOM

Since 2017, CUSOM’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) team has been actively analyzing institutional data and collaborating across departments to enhance the quality of medical education.

Key Quality Improvements

• Curriculum Reform: Introduction of the Trek Curriculum, an innovative longitudinal integrated clinical curriculum designed to enhance medical training.
• Student Engagement in Curriculum Development: Formation of the Students of Curriculum REFORM (SOCR) Committee, an all-student advisory body. Student representatives participate in weekly Implementation Team Captain meetings, the Medical Student Council, and curriculum and student life committees to provide direct input. Interested students can engage by contacting the Implementation Team Captains or their Medical Student Council representatives. Since the curriculum launch, the committee is now referred to as the Students for Curriculum (SOC) which serves as a key advisory body that systematically gathers and evaluates student feedback on curricular and programmatic matters. Meeting monthly, SOC provides critical insights into the student experience, identifies opportunities for improvement, and ensures that student perspectives inform ongoing curricular development. The committee collaborates with the Curriculum Steering Committee, offering recommendations on proposed innovations to enhance the educational framework and align it with evolving learner needs.
• Fort Collins Regional Campus Expansion: CUSOM launched a four-year regional campus in Fort Collins in partnership with Colorado State University (CSU). In 2020 and 2021, third-year medical students began completing their core clinical training in the Fort Collins medical community. In July 2021, the first full four-year cohort of twelve students matriculated, marking a significant milestone in CUSOM’s expansion. The Fort Collins community has played a crucial role in supporting students and fostering a high-quality clinical training environment. More information: School of Medicine at CSU Fort Collins Regional Campus.

Through these initiatives, CUSOM remains committed to maintaining excellence in medical education, fostering student involvement, and expanding opportunities for high-quality clinical training.