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College of Veterinary Medicine

Clinical Rotations – Block Change Process

In their Clinical Year, DVM students can make up to FOUR (4) minor changes to their clinical schedule using the Block Change Process.

The Block Change Process

Rules and Regulations

  • Students are allowed a maximum of FOUR (4) block changes during their Clinical Year
  • Block changes must be made at least TWO (2) BLOCKS PRIOR
    • The absolute deadline for block changes will be the last Friday of two blocks prior; i.e., if a student is looking to change Block 12, the absolute deadline will be the last Friday of Block 10 at 5pm
    • Students will NOT be permitted to make block changes less than two blocks prior unless in emergency situations
  • If the course requires Instructor Approval, the student must receive this permission in writing and send it to the Clinical Year Program Manager before the block change can be made
  • Block changes CANNOT:
    • Drop a student from a required course that would impact their ability to graduate
    • Drop a block below minimum OR exceed the block maximum

The Process

Four Checkpoints

To make sure that a block change is possible, review the Four Checkpoints:

Checkpoint 1: Does This Change Impact the Max/Min of the Block?

Block changes cannot drop a block below the minimum or make a block exceed the maximum number of students. The maximum/minimum limits are set by clinicians to determine the number needed for the service to function.

Students interested in making block changes should log into CRESS and click “Find People & Schedules,” then click “Students’ Master Class Listing.” (remember that if you are off-campus, you will need to turn on the NCSU VPN to access CRESS).

On the Master Class Listing, students can see 1) the max/min of each block as well as 2) the current number of students scheduled on the block. If the block change you’re wanting to make would drop a block BELOW the minimum, it cannot be made. If the block change you’re wanting to make would push a block ABOVE the maximum, it cannot be made.

Checkpoint 2: Are You Within the Deadline?

Block changes must be made at least TWO (2) BLOCKS PRIOR.

The absolute deadline for block changes will be the last Friday of two blocks prior; i.e., if a student is looking to change Block 12, the absolute deadline will be the last Friday of Block 10 at 5pm.

Students will NOT be permitted to make block changes less than two blocks prior unless in emergency situations.

Checkpoint 3: Does This Change Impact Your Requirements?

If the block change drops a student from their focus area or graduation requirements, the block change will not be approved.

  • Focus Area Requirements
  • Graduation Requirements
    • 43 clinical credits required (40 credits of clinical rotations; 3 credits of Clinical Conference)
    • Students are not allowed to schedule all four (4) vacation blocks as three-week blocks, as that would drop them below the required number of clinical training weeks
Checkpoint 4: Does This Change Require Instructor Approval and/or a Prerequisite?

Instructor Approval: if a course requires Instructor Approval, the student must contact the course coordinator to request approval and email it to the Clinical Year Program Manager (cvm-clinicalcoordinator@ncsu.edu) BEFORE the block change can be made.

Prerequisite: if a course requires a prerequisite (example: VMC 996: Adv. Exotic Animal Medicine requires the prerequisite VMC 988: Exotic Animal Medicine), students must register the prerequisite BEFORE they can register the advanced course.

If you pass all four checkpoints, you can submit a Block Change Request Form:

The Block Change Request Form is a PDF form that should be filled out completely and then sent to the Clinical Year Program Manager at cvm-clinicalcoordinator@ncsu.edu.

  • Fill out your information (student name, school, focus area, etc.)
  • Complete the “reason” section to explain why you are requesting a block change
  • On the second page, completely list out the course(s) you are wanting to DROP, as well as the course(s) you are wanting to ADD
  • Remember: block changes must be made two blocks prior.