The Post-Baccalaureate Premedical (PBPM) program at Washington University enables qualified college graduates to take core and elective science and math courses that satisfy medical school admission requirements. Students also may take approved elective courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities that provide a broad context and skill set for the practice of medicine today. The program is flexible to accommodate individuals changing careers, including those without a science background. For students who enter the program with most premedical course requirements complete, the program offers numerous upper-level biology courses to enhance a previous academic record and demonstrate science mastery. Courses are typically taken during the evening and are available during the fall, spring and summer terms. Day courses are also available to students, although tuition rates are higher.
Students earning at least 30 units of credit — 24 units of which must be completed at Washington University, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher — will receive a certification of completion of the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical program.
Students are also supported and guided in preparing their professional school application by a dedicated advisor. Qualified students receive a cover letter of support from the program to accompany their letters of recommendation to professional school.
The Curriculum
The core courses of the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical program meet the general entrance requirements for American medical schools as well as those for dental, veterinary, osteopathic and other health professional programs. Students are urged to check individual schools and programs for specific entry requirements.
All courses taken as part of the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical program must be taken for letter grades, except for courses offered only on a pass/fail basis. No more than 2 units of pass/fail work may apply toward program requirements.
Up to 6 credits of appropriate course work taken prior to acceptance to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical program may be applied as transfer credit toward program completion. Courses eligible for transfer credit must be relevant to the PBPM program (professional school prerequisites or courses relevant to human or animal biology) and completed with a grade of B or better. Once students begin the program, all course work must be taken in residence at Washington University. Cover letters will be written only for students who observe this policy.
Core Courses
- Biology: two semesters with laboratory
- General Chemistry: two semesters with laboratory
- Organic Chemistry: two semesters with laboratory
- Biochemistry: one semester
- Mathematics and Statistics: two semesters of college math (This varies according to school. Statistics is recommended. For the broadest range of schools, Calculus I and II should be completed.)
- General Physics: two semesters with laboratory
- English: two semesters, one of composition
In addition to the core courses, elective courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics and statistics are also available.
Additional Information
- Appropriate course work includes the prerequisites needed to apply to professional school as well as upper-level biology courses that are relevant to human or animal biology. Course work that does not meet those criteria must be approved by an advisor, in advance, in order for it to count toward program completion.
- To qualify for a cover letter from the program, students must be in good academic standing (i.e., they must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher), and they must successfully complete at least 18 units of course work at Washington University by the end of the spring semester that precedes the opening of the professional school application cycle. They must also be registered for their 24th unit, which must be successfully completed no later than the summer of that same year.
- Students who complete course work at another academic institution after beginning the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical program at Washington University will lose eligibility for a cover letter from the program. Exceptions to this rule are allowed in extenuating circumstances and must be approved by a program advisor in advance.
- While most students complete the program in two years or less, students are limited to a three-year period in which to complete the program. They may take up to 45 units total while enrolled in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
- Students who do not enroll in any course work in the program for a span of one academic year or more will be required to reapply if they wish to return.