A post-baccalaureate pathway is an advising plan designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor's degree but need to complete additional coursework in order to meet the requirements for admission to a professional graduate health program, such as medical, dental, veterinary school, etc. A post-baccalaureate pathway can be a great option for individuals who did not complete the required coursework or did not perform well in their undergraduate courses. These programs can also be helpful for individuals who have been out of school for some time and need to refresh their knowledge and skills before applying to graduate programs in the health professions.
Successful completion of these undergraduate prerequisites can demonstrate to admissions committees that a student has the academic ability and motivation to succeed in a rigorous graduate-level health program. Generally speaking, there are two categories of students that seek out a post-baccalaureate pathway; record enhancers and career changers
Record Enhancer
An academic record enhancer is a student who completed their undergraduate degree as well as their pre-professional prerequisites but does not have a very competitive cumulative or science GPA. They might consider a post-baccalaureate master's degree in advanced sciences, like Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, or Medical Physiology, to boost their future medical school application. These programs tend to be one year in length and are often offered by the same institutions that also have medical and/or dental programs.
Career Changer
Post-baccalaureate pathways for career changers can be formal, meaning a structured program, or informal, where a student takes the required prerequisites with the guidance of a pre-professional advisor. These typically include a range of courses in the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy, as well as courses in math, psychology, and social sciences. These students may also seek out opportunities for clinical experiences and research. This can be done on a full-time or part-time basis to accommodate students who are working or have other life commitments and can take anywhere from one to three years depending on how many courses are needed and how many one plans to take per semester.
Pre-Professional Pathways at Northeastern for Career Changers
Northeastern is a great place for those seeking a new career in the health profession. We offer all of the necessary prerequisite coursework to fulfill the admission requirements of professional health programs as well as guidance from the Director of Pre-Professional Advising.
Post-Graduate Pre-Health Advising Plans
The following downloadable general advising plans are for students who already have a degree and are planning to apply to professional health programs. They are to serve as guides and are not meant to replace professional pre-health advising services. Keep in mind that prerequisites change and vary from program to program. Please schedule an appointment with the Director of Pre-Professional Advising to create an individualized long-term plan.
