Post Baccalaureate Programs
There are a number of post-baccalaureate programs that provide opportunities to individuals looking for an alternative path to medical or other health profession schools. Three types of programs are described here:
Programs for individuals with little or no science background
A complete listing of post-baccalaureate programs can be found on the website of the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Career Changer Programs
For students who have little or no science background.
This is the most prevalent type of post-baccalaureate program, often referred to as a "career changer" program, meaning that it's designed for students changing from one career path (outside of the sciences) to one in the health professions, which requires a science background. The coursework generally consists of all the requisite undergraduate premedical courses (one year with lab of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biology). Upper-level science electives may also be available depending on your academic background and on the program you're enrolled in. The typical postbac student has earned a bachelor's degree outside of the life sciences, has been in the workforce for several years, and is committed to switching to a career in medicine.
Enhancement Programs
For students who have completed all premed courses but wish to strengthen their science background.
These programs are often referred to as "academic record enhancers," and are designed for students who have majored in the sciences but would like to enhance their credentials for medical school admission. Most involve taking advanced science courses either in the medical school or through a graduate unit of a university. The typical students in this type of program has taken all of his/her premed courses as an undergraduate, and has an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better overall and in the sciences. Some of these programs in which Brandeis alums have participated in recent years include:
Master of Arts in Medical Sciences Program
Boston University School of Medicine
Medical Science Programs
Drexel University College of Medicine
Special Master's Program in Physiology and Biophysics
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Master of Science in Physiology
University of Cincinnati
Special Science Program
University of Pennsylvania
Programs for Students from Underrepresented Minority Groups, or from Economically Disadvantaged Backgrounds
There are some post-baccalaureate programs designed specifically for promising students from underrepresented minority groups and/or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. All of these programs require at least a year of course work. In some cases successful completion of a program can result in direct entry to a medical school. Also, admission to some of the programs is limited to people who have already made one attempt at applying to medical school.
A listing of programs can be found in the Association of American Medical Colleges' publication, Minority Student Opportunities, which is available in the Health Professions Resource Library, and are also listed on the AAMC postbac search website. Students considering applying to one of these special post-baccalaureate programs are encouraged to consult with Dean Fukawa-Connelly.