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POST-BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM LISTING

For further information on post baccalaureate programs, please visit the
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) PB Website,
or the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP),
or contact the program directly (see information below).

Post-baccalaureate work consists of academic study undertaken after earning a bachelor's degree; it can be toward a degree (D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.V.M., D.O., M.A., M.D., M.P.H., M.S., O.D. Ph.D., another bachelor's degree, or a number of others), toward certification in some specialty, or course work that does not result in a certificate or a degree. Many college graduates find that they need to improve their academic credentials before making successful application to medical schools.

Others who wish to change careers to become physicians, dentists, veterinarians or other health professionals discover the science requirements of most health professions schools (general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and general physics, as well as mathematics) and the need to demonstrate recent academic achievement. Each individual should assess very carefully (preferably with help from a pre-professional adviser or an admissions officer at a professional school of choice) her/his past record, need for improvement, and the type of post-baccalaureate program which will satisfy that need.

For students graduating with a major in biology, bioengineering, or even chemistry, it is unlikely that taking a few more courses in the same field will enhance the academic record. Such students probably should enroll in a standard M.S. program in science. To do so means that one applies to graduate school, meeting the basic requirements for entry, and also for acceptance by the department as a suitable degree candidate. For such acceptance by (or matriculation in) most university science departments, it will be necessary to demonstrate commitment to finish the degree; they do not welcome students who hope to drop out after acceptance by a medical school; some of the programs listed below differ in this respect.

It is possible to enroll at many schools as a non-matriculated graduate student; you pay your money and take the courses (if space is available). Anyone doing this should seek guidance. In fact, it is possible to undertake post-baccalaureate work in a number of different ways. For example, at Harvard University, Dr. William Fixsen advises students in the Harvard Extension School (the continuing education unit of that University); there is also in the graduate school a Special Student Program which enrolls students who are not working toward a degree, and undoubtedly some students are enhancing their credentials in other programs.

Students have accomplished successful post-baccalaureate work at Syracuse University in at least four different ways: earning the M.S. in Biology or other science, taking graduate courses as non-matriculated students, doing part-time coursework through University College (the continuing education branch) and, for those who came with little or no science background, enrolling as full-time students (for financial aid consideration) to earn a second bachelor's degree in science.

Types of Post-baccalaureate Programs Available
Programs for students underrepresented in the health professions

Programs for students who have little or no science

General Programs

Programs for students who need to improve their credentials as well as those who have little or no sciences:

Dental Post-Bac/Masters Programs

Masters Programs: Degree-Granting Programs
Additional Options
Syracuse University o Health Professions Advisory Program o 323 Hall of Languages o Syracuse NY 13244-1170
Phone 315-443-2321 o Fax 315-443-9397 o Email: hpap@syr.edu
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