Academic Requirements

Studying in anatomy lab

Completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate courses at a regionally accredited college or university is required to be eligible for admission.
Required Courses Semester Hours
General Chemistry (with labs) 8
Organic Chemistry (with labs) 8
Physics (with labs) 8
Biology (with labs) 8
Communication Skills 9
Course Electives 49

With the exception of the required courses noted above, applicants are strongly urged to follow their own personal interests in developing their premedical course of study. Undergraduate majors in the humanities or sciences are equally acceptable.

Chemistry 

A minimum of 16 semester hours of chemistry is required.  Eight hours must be in general chemistry, which may include inorganic or analytical chemistry, and another eight hours must be in organic chemistry.  Each of these courses must be a complete, standard college-level course utilizing full laboratory facilities.  In instances where students feel uncertain of their preparation in chemistry and wish to take additional work, such courses as advanced analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biophysical chemistry, or chemical instrumentation should be considered. 



Physics 
Acceptable courses in physics must include laboratory credits and must adequately cover mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, and magnetism.  Calculus-based physics is recommended. Survey types of courses will not satisfy this requirement.


Biology

Credit hours in either biology or zoology with labs may be used in fulfilling this requirement.  Up to four semester hours of botany are acceptable.  Many students may benefit from additional study in the biological sciences.  The faculty recommends additional courses in cell structure, embryology, molecular biology, and genetics.



Communication Skills Courses 

The usual college level introductory courses in freshman English composition and literature will meet this admission requirement.  Other courses that will be considered to satisfy this requirement are public speaking, general speech, creative writing, rhetoric, and/or other courses that are deemed to facilitate the student's ability to communicate effectively.   



Electives 

Undergraduate courses such as statistics, philosophy and logic that will contribute to an applicant's ability to think clearly, make reasoned decisions, and apply knowledge are recommended.  Also strongly recommended are courses that augment the required sciences, such as biochemistry, comparative anatomy, and physiology. 



Additional Information
Computer Skills
Due to the ever increasing presence of computers as tools in medicine, it is expected that applicants will demonstrate an ability to use them both in the academic and personal setting. 

Advanced Placement or CLEP Credit

A student who has been awarded advanced placement credit, CLEP credit, or other nontraditional credit in required science courses by a regionally accredited college or university will have those credits honored provided such placement or credit has been followed by a more advanced course in the same discipline.  The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request candidates to complete additional coursework regardless of their academic standing at the time of evaluation.  If a period of five years or more has passed between completion of required science courses and proposed enrollment, the Admissions Committee may suggest repetition or supplementation of courses.  If an applicant has not been enrolled in a full-time academic program for two or more years, the Admissions Committee may suggest that the applicant satisfactorily complete a term of college work with a full schedule before consideration for admission.