Professional & Continuing Studies

Prepare for a Career Change into the Medical and Health Professions

A new University of Delaware program that can help provide a path of entry into a challenging and rewarding new career. Key features of the certificate program include:

  • Personalized advisement and academic support
  • Translational research opportunities, practica and internships
  • Exceptional interdisciplinary laboratory facilities and outstanding faculty

The University of Delaware has developed a new Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program to help those with a non-science related bachelor’s degree to prepare for medical school or other professional schools like dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and more. Students work closely with UD’s Center for Premedical and Health Profession Studies to develop an individualized program of study that addresses requirements for admission into professional schools in their desired field. In addition to regular coursework, students are provided with:

  • Extensive individualized advisement and faculty mentoring
  • Seminars led by health professionals from the region as well as opportunities for medical practica and medical school field trips
  • Career guidance, professional school selection advice, resume preparation guidance, essay writing recommendations, interview training
  • Discounted on-campus MCAT preparation courses

Earning the certificate is meant to enhance students’ standing as an applicant to a health care professional school based on the high quality of work accomplished throughout the program.

Earning the Certificate

The program requires up to a total of 44 undergraduate core prerequisite credit hours in primarily science-related subjects including biology, chemistry and biochemistry, physics, sociology, math, philosophy and psychology. Recommended elective courses may include history, women’s studies, business administration, behavioral health and nutrition, medical laboratory science, human development and family studies. Students who complete at least 26 hours of the program and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 with no grade less than a “B” will be awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Premedical/Health Profession Studies.

Requirements for admission

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum 3.0 overall undergraduate grade point average
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate study programs

Program application

Contact us

David A. Barlow, Director
Barlow@udel.edu

Laura Pawlowski
LJP@udel.edu
302-831-4535

Center for Premedical and Health Profession Studies
University of Delaware
401 Academy Street
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-4949

Time to complete

The Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is designed so that students have the potential for completing the program in one to two academic years, depending on their undergraduate background. For students needing additional coursework or who may need additional time to complete the program, an alternative schedule may be designed in consultation with a UD health professions advisor.

Further resources and information

  • Opportunities in health care and medicine—There are more than 80 health care careers and thousands of accredited professional education programs. Examples include:
    • Allied Health
    • Dentistry
    • Dietetics
    • Medicine
    • Nursing
    • Occupational therapy
    • Speech therapy
    • Optometry
    • Pharmacy
    • Physical therapy
    • Physician assistant
    • Podiatry
    • Veterinary medicine
  • Admission to health professional schools—Overall it can be said that health professional schools are looking for broadly educated, mature, intellectually curious students who possess excellent academic accomplishments, positive leadership/interpersonal skills, clearly demonstrated motivation for pursuing a health care profession, and strong compassion and concern for helping others. Further reading: