Undergraduate students with low GPA’s should repair their GPA’s prior to applying to any health professions program.
AAMC’s Postbaccalaureate Programs webpage–a wealth of articles and resources
AAMC’s Postbaccalaureate Program database–Under the “Special Program Focus” pull-down menu, select the “Academic record-enhancer”option, along with any other appropriate filters.
AACOM’s Postbaccalaureate Program list–A comprehensive list of DO post-bacc programs offered by our nation’s Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). Almost half of the programs offer the assurance of an interview with the sponsoring COM if certain criteria are met during the post-bacc program.
Here are some Academic Record-Enhancement programs attended by previous students:
American University’s Postbaccalaureate Certificate: A unique program which functions both as an “academic repair” and “career changer” program. For those who need to strengthen their GPA and/or finish some or all of the professional school prerequisites. Allows you to complete basic science courses plus 24 credit hours of upper-level certificate courses, or just the certificate courses. For all pre-health students (medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, and allied health).
Boston University’s MS in Oral Health Sciences: A twelve month program of rigorous graduate biomedical sciences for the enhancement of a student’s dental school application.
Case Western Reserve University’s MS in Medical Physiology: A rigorous graduate program which requires completion of 20 hours of physiology coursework and 12 hours of electives, which most students complete in two academic years. Designed for students with a science background who need to increase their GPA for admission to medical, dental, or other health professions schools.
Case Western Reserve University’s MS in Nutrition: A great complement for pre-dental or pre-medical students who need to improve their academic record while obtaining valuable research experience. Requires at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA for admission and completion of certain science classes.
Case Western Reserve University’s Post-baccalaureate Readiness Instruction for bioMedical Education (PRIME) program: a very individualized non-degree certificate program housed in a medical school which offers both an academic enhancer and career changer track for students who have a 3.4 or above GPA. Includes a MCAT prep course and the opportunity to interview with the CWRU SOM for select students.
Creighton University’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Dental Certificate: a four semester program intended to strengthen credentials for dental school. Participants are considered with special status by Creighton’s School of Dentistry during the dental school admissions process.
Drexel University (various programs for all pre-health students including medical, dental, optometry)
Drexel University’s Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree is one of the few Academic Enhancement Programs in the country for pre-veterinary students.
GeorgeSquared Graduate Certificate in Advanced Biomedical Sciences: 9 month, full-time certificate program offering advanced science preparation for the health professions such as medicine, dentistry and other health professions including veterinary. Includes MCAT, DAT, and GRE prep.
Georgetown University’s Regular MS in Physiology: 10-12 month academic enhancement program designed to prepare students for careers in medicine, dentistry, and the allied health professions. Open to all pre-health interests.
Georgetown University School of Medicine’s Special Master’s Program (SMP), MS in Physiology: designed to enhance medical school applications.
George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Graduate Certificate in Anatomical and Translational Sciences (GCATS): Only for pre-medical students. Includes a MCAT prep course and a linkage program with the George Washington University M.D. program.
Johns Hopkins’ Master of Health Science (MHS) degree under the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: one academic year with a focus on biochemistry, molecular biology, reproductive biology, biology of disease, and public health.
Johns Hopkins’ MS in Biotechnology degree offered at both the Homewood campus in Baltimore or the Rockville, MD location. With a focus on the biotechnology industry, a 10 course curriculum grounded in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, and proteomics; with 6 areas of concentration and the option to complete a National Cancer Institute Fellowship.
Johns Hopkins’ Post-Baccalaureate Health Science Intensive program: courses offered at Rockville, MD location, advanced science classes intended to bolster a student’s medical school application, while concurrently earning a Master of Science in Biotechnology degree. Includes individual advising, MCAT prep, and a committee letter for the med school application. Minimum 3.0 science & cumulative GPA needed to apply.
Loyola University Chicago’s MA in Medical Sciences: 9 month program intended to prepare students for the rigors of medical school and guide them through the application process. Guaranteed interview at the Stritch School of Medicine if certain academic requirements are met.
Marquette University’s Biomedical Sciences Pre-Dental Post-Baccalaureate program: a 12 month partnership program with Marquette University’s School of Dentistry. For pre-dental students who already have a significant science background, but need to improve their GPA for dental school.
Rutgers MS in Biomedical Sciences Dental Scholars Program: Only for pre-dental students. One year program with a concentration in oral biology.
University of Maryland School of Medicine’s MS in Cellular & Molecular Biomedical Science program: Two-year curriculum, full-time. Specifically designed to develop biomedical research scientists.
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Master of Science in Medical Sciences program: Open to students who intend to become physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, and other health professionals. Focused on equipping students with the analytic tools to become well-informed, evidence-based practitioners. Twelve-month program in Southern California.
Johns Hopkins Master’s of Science in Nursing: Not recommended for anyone trying to get into medical school. Listed here to encourage students with uncompetitive undergraduate GPA’s for medical school to consider a different pathway to becoming a leader in healthcare through the nursing career ladder. Must have a Bachelor’s degree already. Can be completed in five semesters. Up to 16 credits from the MSN program can be applied to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice Track. Contact UMBC’s pre-nursing advisor, Ms. Kelly Simer, kellysimer@umbc.edu, for advising questions and more information.