Certificate of Completion

Effective as of the fall 2012 semester, our program is no longer a certificate granting program. Our program is strictly a preparation program for medical school admissions.  Students who successful complete our program will receive a Certificate of Completion from the U of L School of Medicine and College of Arts & Sciences.

The Certificate of Completion is recognition exclusively from our program confirming that you successfully completed the requirements and that you are an eligible candidate for medical school and for assured admission to the U of L School of Medicine.  This change does not impact your credentials for consideration to medical school or for assured admission to the U of L School of Medicine. The purpose and structure of our program remains.

This change was made due to the federal government implementing changes for federal financial aid eligibility for post-bacs and certificate programs. To keep our students eligible for federal financial aid, we chose to phase out our official university issued UofL Pre-medical Certificate.

Program Completion Requirements

TIME FRAME

Our program is for fall entry only.  Our students have a maximum of two years to complete the program which is approximately 4-5 semesters (pending summer classes). The amount of time may vary based on whether classes are taken as a part-time or full-time student. You must maintain a minimum of six credit hours each semester (not including summer) unless you have only a few hours remaining to complete.

If a student is already coming in with some completed pre-med requirements, they may require less time to complete the program.  For example the entering fall 2020 cohort is expected to graduate from our program by May 2022.  Keep in mind that summer courses are optional.  Extended time may be requested, but approval is determined by the Program Advisory Committee.

• Fall 2020 - Summer 2021 (Year One)
• Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 (Year Two)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

There are 32-43 credit hours of required pre-med courses to apply to medical school which includes biology, chemistry, physics, math and English. Some medical schools vary slightly in their requirements.  Some may require calculus; others may require biochemistry instead of organic chemistry 2.  However, the majority of medical schools have similar pre-med requirements. Contact your medical schools of interest to check their requirements before you apply.

Students must complete all of the required pre-med courses (a minimum of 30 credit hours at U of L).  For those with some pre-med course work previously taken, they may need to take additional upper level science courses to meet the minimum 30 hours. Once students begin the program, they are to take all their pre-med course work at U of L and not attend another university or college during that time. Visiting student status is rarely granted and must be approved by the Program Advisory Committee.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE AND EXTRACURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

• In order to graduate from the program, students must complete all required pre-med course work and upper level science courses with a cumulative 3.5 science GPA (biology, chemistry, physics and math). English may also be included if requirement not met during undergrad.
• Students who drop below a 3.3 cumulative GPA while in the program will receive a warning to improve their GPA by the following semester either with a semester or cumulative 3.3 GPA.  If a 3.3 semester or cumulative GPA isn't met after the warning, then they are at risk of being dismissed from the program.
  PLEASE NOTE:If your grade point average is below the requirement, retention efforts will be made (e.g. tutoring) to assist you in earning the required grade point average.  However, if a student's academic performance continues to decline and/or there isn't enough time remaining in the program for them to rebound, they will be presented to the Program Advisory Committee to determine whether or not they will be dismissed.

• Students must maintain regular attendance and active participation in required or mandatory extracurricular activities each semester that include monthly enrichment sessions, volunteer service projects and other scheduled mandatory activities (e.g., team building, etc.) and have a follow up consultation at least once a semester. Students are encouraged to also participate in optional activities (e.g., Brown Bag Discussions, U of L School of Medicine Visit, etc.).
• Students who successfully complete our program will be recognized at our graduation ceremony and receive a Certificate of Completion from our program.

Dismissal from the Program

Our program wants all of its students to succeed and will offer tutoring, supplemental instruction or study groups in an effort to ensure their academic success. Students are to maintain active involvement in our program.  Inconsistent participation and lack of involvement is also a factor that can lead to probationary status or dismissal.  If a student fails to maintain or meet the program expectations during the two year time frame, they are at risk of being warned, put on probation or dismissed from the program; especially if their GPA is in jeopardy.  Students may also voluntarily withdrawal from the program.