Home > Enhancing Credentials > Post - Baccalaureate Program Listing

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.

Listed below are four categories of post-baccalaureate programs:

    • Those for minorities or individuals under-represented among health professionals.
    • Those for people who have completed few, if any, of the science courses required; some of these programs are very selective.
    • Other, non-degree granting programs that are listed by schools/counselors having support staff able and willing to provide the proper advice and support.
    • Degree-granting programs that differ in some respects from the standard graduate programs in university science departments.

For graduating students who need to improve their credentials (whether or not you applied to medical school and were rejected), it probably is better to go to a new school to do post- baccalaureate work. Although it might be more comfortable, for a number of reasons, to stay at your Alma Mater, the fact that you need to improve very likely is related to what makes you comfortable.

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.

There is a multitude of ways in which an individual can enhance an academic record. Each person should assess the options carefully, and seek advice from those who know the programs at the school where continued work is intended. Each applicant also should retain connections with advisers/faculty at the undergraduate institution. Before there was such explosive growth in the number of applicants to medical schools, admissions officers at many schools almost insisted upon a letter from the undergraduate institution. They do not have the time, now, to follow up on each applicant. It behooves the applicant to anticipate and provide what admissions committees want/need to make choices among the very many people applying. If you are seeking post-baccalaureate work, you should seek also to establish connections with someone at the school of choice who is interested in your success.

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:

Masters 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
All rights reserved.