University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Post-Baccalaureate Program, Certificate

Contact Information

Zachary Walker, M.S., Coordinator for Pipeline Programs & Diversity Initiatives
Admissions & Student Affairs,
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

zacharywalker@med.unr.edu
(775) 682-8356

Admission Requirements

Admission into the UNR Med Post-baccalaureate Certificate Program requires candidates to:

• Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident of the U.S. or a DACA recipient
• Complete or be on track to complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. four-year institution by the start of the Program year
• Have an undergraduate GPA between 2.85 and 3.40, or a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 30 credits of college coursework.
• Complete the prerequisite course requirements described below prior to the start of the program, including: 

• 15 credits in biological sciences
• 8 credits in general chemistry
• 8 credits in organic chemistry
• 8 credits in physics
• 3 credits in psychology

The Post-baccalaureate Certificate Application requires three (3) recommendation letters (specified below):

• One clinical evaluation written by a physician (MD or DO), a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or a Physician Assistant who can evaluate, based upon direct observation, a candidate’s performance within a clinical environment, including any direct patient care, their passion for medicine and their pre-professional competencies;
• One academic evaluation written by an instructor or faculty member with direct knowledge of a candidate’s commitment to academic excellence and thinking and reasoning skills as well as their personal attributes and pre-professional competencies; 
  
• The third required letter should be from a supervisor, research advisor, volunteer coordinator, clinical provider, or a faculty member who can offer a professional evaluation of how the candidate’s pre-professional competencies, personal attributes, and life experiences prepare them for success in medical school and as a physician.

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Program Objectives

To meet the School of Medicine’s vision statement of A Healthy Nevada, the Post-Bac Certificate Program is designed to encourage participants who represent Nevada to prepare for, and matriculate into, medical school with the goal of addressing disparities in education, healthcare and the healthcare profession within the state.

Individuals who are Nevada residents, members of underrepresented groups in healthcare, or those who live in or were raised in a medically underserved community are encouraged to apply.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the UNR Med Post-baccalaureate Certificate Program will:

• Demonstrate mastery of subject knowledge needed in medical school coursework
• Develop a foundational knowledge base in MCAT related subject content
• Gain increased self-awareness and understanding of learning and study skill techniques to be prepared for the rigorous academic load of medical school

I. Program Requirements

Students will enroll in a prescribed curriculum of 32 undergraduate credit hours over one year which may include a winter session course, depending on each student’s academic background and preparation. Courses will be selected from existing courses in the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biology, Physiology and Cell Biology, Community Health Sciences, Psychology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics & Statistics, and Nutrition & Dietetics.

Students must complete 3 units of Biochemistry, 20 units of basic science, and 9 units of elective coursework selected from the following classes:

II. Total Credits (32 units)

III. Recommended Schedule