Postbaccalaureate premedical programs ("post-bac programs") are offered by many allopathic medical schools, osteopathic medical schools, as well as numerous colleges and universities without a medical school. Post-bac programs vary in degree offerings (certificate of completions, masters degree), duration (9-24 months), and level of affiliation with a school’s medical programs. Students completing post-bac programs may be eligible for medical school interviews or direct transition to a medical program.

Learn about Post Baccalaureate Premedical Programs here.

AAMC's searchable database of programs is located here.

Learn about AACOM Post Baccalaureate Premedical Programs here.

The two most common "types" of post-bac programs are "Career Changers" and "Record Enhancers." Students who have completed all or most of the pre-med pre-requisite courses are most likely searching for academic or record enhancing programs.

Many post-bac programs now use a centralized application service called PostBacCAS.

Still need some direction to begin your research? Below are a few programs in which many JMU alum have found success:

1. The GeorgeSquared Advanced Biomedical Sciences Graduate Certificate, (G2) program, a unique partnership between the Georgetown University Medical Center and George Mason University, helps students reach their goals of becoming physicians, dentists, or other health professionals. This pre-health program offers a nine-month, graduate-level certificate designed to help qualify students for health professional programs. G2 provides individualized guidance and support to pre-health students, face-to-face, hybrid/flipped and fully online class options, test prep, and more. Register for an information session here!

2. VCU CERT

The Pre-medical Graduate Health Sciences Certificate (CERT) program of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is a one-year in-person, graduate-level program for individuals seeking to enhance their qualifications for admission into professional school, including medical and dental School. The program is administered through the VCU School of Medicine, with required and elective courses based in specific departments.

3. Drexel's College of Medicine Pre-Med Health Programs:

The accelerated Intensive Medical Sciences (IMS) program will offer qualified students a conditional acceptance to our Drexel MD program upon achieving specific benchmarks. The IMS Special Master’s program was established in 1981 and has a rich history of helping graduates achieve their career goals of becoming physicians by laying the foundation for succeeding in medical school. The IMS curriculum reflects the content, pace and assessments used by our matriculated first-year medical school class with a basic science course load of about ~70% of the first year MD program and presented by the same medical school faculty.

Our other pre-medical and pre-health MS programs offer a guaranteed interview at Drexel MD and other programs for students achieving specific benchmarks.

MS in Medical Science (MMS) is a two-year Special Master’s enhancer program combining immersion in medical school-equivalent coursework with a rich, year-long research experience.
MS in Biomedical Studies (MBS) is a two-year Special Master’s program for enhancing the undergraduate math-science GPA while strengthening academic skills. The first year blends undergraduate and graduate coursework and MCAT preparation and the second year offers an immersion in medical school-equivalent coursework.
Our flexible two-year MS in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) master's program offers individuals interested in medicine and other allied health professions a hybrid option to customize their coursework. Preparation for standardized exams (MCAT, DAT, etc.) is included.

4. EVMS Medical Masters, Norfolk, VA

One and two-year options, offers a rigorous medical curriculum, with four courses taken with first-year medical students, and help with the non-academic aspects of the MD application.

The EVMS Medical Master's program offers:

Personalized review and suggestions for all applicants before admissions committee review
Majority of classes are taken with medical students
Practice medical interviews and feedback
Multiple sessions with standardized patients
Assistance with medical school applications
Volunteer/community service opportunities
Program letter of recommendation from faculty advisor
A 'Big Sib' program that pairs a MM graduate/first-year medical student mentor with each incoming student
Support for diversity and inclusivity within the student body
Guaranteed interviews with VCOM, WVSOM, & Liberty if certain benchmarks are met

Unique to our two-year program:

Structured community engaged learning activities
MCAT test preparation
Summer research opportunities

5. Georgetown Special Masters Program (SMP), Washington DC

A one-year M.S. in Physiology & Biophysics program is tailored to college graduates who wish to strengthen their credentials for application to U.S. medical schools.

6. EMU Masters in Biomedical Sciences, Harrisonburg, VA

MS in Biomedicine degree allows you to pick and chose which graduate-level natural science courses you need and would like to take. Our curriculum will set your application apart with our built-in cross-cultural experience, practicum shadowing, thesis research, ethics and leadership training, and interdisciplinary course offerings. Only one percent of the nation’s incoming medical students have hands-on experience with cadavers whereas all MS in Biomedicine students at EMU have the opportunity to work hands-on dissecting cadavers.