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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.
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