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Post-Baccalaureate Programs
Post-baccalaureate programs or Post-Bacs were originally developed for those individuals who wanted to pursue a career as a physician, dentist, veterinarian or other health professional, but they did not have the prerequisite courses to apply for admission. Most of the individuals who enroll in these programs have a bachelor's degree in another area of study and they wish to make a career change. Each program is different and some may grant certificates while others only offer the prerequisite courses required to apply for admission to a health professions program.
More recently, a second type of post-baccalaureate program has evolved. This type of post-baccalaureate program is specifically for students who want to improve their academic credentials, so they are a more competitive applicant for admission to a health professions program. Students who enroll in this type of program have already taken the required pre-requisite courses and possess a bachelor's degree in a science field. The programs offer either a certificate (one year duration) or a master's degree (15-24 months in length). Master's degree programs also require students to complete a laboratory or literature based thesis. Students take graduate level science courses and depending on the specific program, students may be taking first year medical school courses. At the end of the program, students with competitive grades and standardized test scores may qualify for an interview with the admissions office of a health professions program at the granting institution.
The Association of American Medical Colleges has a searchable database in which students can select the specific type of post-bac program that meets their goals and identify the different schools that offer programs. To access this database, click on the following link: http://services.aamc.org/postbac/.
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