Students may begin their studies in September or January, and the student’s start date determines the schedule of classes. For students beginning the program in September, regular classes are scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays, and a half day on Wednesdays; for students beginning in January, regular classess are scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays, and a half day on Wednesdays. These days remain consistent throughout the first five trimesters.

All students also are required to attend occasional “intensive” classes which take place about four or five times each year. The term “intensive” is used to designate times when the student’s attendance is required in addition to attendance on the regularly scheduled core class days. Most intensive classes range from two to five days in length, and generally focus on one topic in depth. Most classes are held at the main campus in Laurel.

As a student begins Level III of this program, the regular class days remain the same but are shorter in length, typically half days, through trimester 9. At this point students are assigned to “core groups,” which typically consist of five to seven students and three faculty supervisors. Core groups are held Monday through Friday, and may fall on days other than the days classes are scheduled. A student may be assigned to any one of the three Faculty-Supervised Student Clinic sites, which are located in Silver Spring, Baltimore, and Laurel (main campus). In addition, students intern in the Community Clinic Sites.

The course of study is a full-time program averaging 36 to 44 months, depending on the pace each student sets when building a practice during the clinical portion of the program. The maximum amount of time allowed to complete the program is 60 months.