The LMU Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program

The post-baccalaureate program at Loyola Marymount University became an official program within the university in 2008. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the American Association of Medical Colleges.

Mission statement:

The mission of the program is to provide an educational opportunity for individuals who desire to change their career path toward health professions (most specifically, toward medicine), but who already possess a bachelors degree in an unrelated subject. 

Admissions Requirements:

Students admitted to the post-baccalaureate program have an undergraduate degree that does not include pre-medical coursework. A minimum GPA of 3.3 is strongly recommended for admission to the program, though occasionally exceptions are made. Completion of one semester of Calculus is required prior to enrolling in General Physics 1, so applicants with Calculus as an undergraduate are given preference.

Successful graduates of the post-baccalaureate program will be granted a certificate of completion. A cumulative GPA of 3.3 must be maintained to continue in the program.

Program costs:

Since the post-baccalaureate program is integrated with the regular undergraduate classes, enrollees will pay standard tuition fees during the academic year (for 12 units or more per semester), and a per-course fee during the summer sessions. Tuition information is available here.

Lower division requirements:

• General Chemistry (lecture and lab; 110, 111, 112, 113)
• Organic Chemistry (lecture and lab; 220, 221, 222, 223)
• General Biology (lecture and lab; 101, 111, 102, 112) [Higher courses may substitute if appropriate]
• General Physics (lecture and lab; 253, 254)
• One semester of calculus for life sciences (lecture; 122)

Additional lower division recommendations include:

• Cell Function (lecture; BIOL 201), Genetics (lecture; BIOL 202), Calculus II (MATH 123)

Upper division requirements:

There are no requirements, per se, but the following courses are recommended:

• Biochemistry (CHEM 370)
• Statistics (MATH 360)
• Physiology (BIOL 351)

Students who enter the program having already fulfilled one or more of the lower division requirements will have the option of taking more of the recommended upper division courses. Students planning on applying to other health professions may need additional courses specific to the professional school to which they are applying.

Sample curriculum:

It is proposed that full-time students accepted into the program will finish the requirements (34 units) for the program in 12 months, consisting of one summer (Sessions I and II), followed by one academic year.  Students who wish to take additional, recommended, courses would take them during a second summer.  A minority of students, for example, those who have outside employment, may elect to attend part-time.  These individuals would take courses over a two-year period—two academic years.  Although it is not a strict requirement of the program, it is desirable that post-baccalaureate students take at least one semester of calculus prior to enrolling. A sample curriculum of the one-year is shown below:

Students have the option to take Biochemistry (CHEM 370, 3 units) in the second summer of enrollment, for a grand total of 37 units.

Application process:

Applications are accepted beginning in January of each year. The application deadline is March 1st. Admission will be done on a rolling basis. Students must commit to attending the program before the third week in April when registration for Summer and Fall term begins. Classes for Summer term begins the third Monday in May. The 12-month program starts ONLY in summer term (special exceptions for Fall term depending on qualifications). To submit an application, please include the following:

• Fill out the Pre-Medical Post Baccalaureate Application for Admission for 2009-2010. [PDF file] Do not use the LMU Undergraduate Application.
• Official Copies of transcripts from every college and university you have attended.
• $50 Application fee made payable to the LMU Post-Baccalaureate Program
• Submit three letters of reference
• Write a 5000 character (including spaces) essay on why you want to go to medical school

Mail application material to:

LMU Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program
Attn: Dr. Rebecca Pazdral
Health Professions Advising Office
Loyola Marymount University
1 LMU Drive, MS-8160
North Hall 103
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659

Application deadline is March 1st, no exceptions.