certificate

Pre-Medical and General Science Studies

Our rigorous post-baccalaureate certificate program for pre-health students provides a structured academic preparation for those planning to apply to health professional programs. Federal financial aid available. Earned credits are transferable to UC and Cal State campuses, plus many universities nationwide (some limitations may apply).  

This program is perfect for…

  • Those planning to apply to medical, dental, veterinary, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, and more health programs
  • Students who want to improve their GPA to help their application stand out in the admissions process
  • Those wanting to study with a flexible schedule: part-time, full-time, evenings
  • Students preparing for the MCAT
  • Students interested in taking individual courses and not the entire certificate program
  • Career changers from a variety of backgrounds whose undergraduate major did not require math and science classes

What you can learn.

  • UCLA curriculum recognized and respected by top medical and professional schools
  • Rigorous and research-informed academic content
  • Core disciplines of biology, chemistry, life sciences, math, and physics
  • Wide variety of subjects in other science disciplines, humanities, or social sciences

Virtual Open House

Learn how this program can help you achieve your pre-health goals in our interactive sessions that include an opportunity for general advising.

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Bi-Weekly Q&A Sessions

Meet with a program counselor during our interactive Q&A session and ask detailed questions about the certificate and courses.

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Certificate Requirements

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No academic prerequisites are required for admission.

To complete this certificate, you must take a minimum of 12 UCLA-equivalent (XL) courses.* Nine of the 12 courses must be chosen from the following four core disciplines (a minimum of one course from each area):

  • Group 1 – Chemistry (CHEM)
  • Group 2 – Biological Sciences (LIFESCI, PHYSCI, MIMG, or MCD BIO)
  • Group 3 – Math/Statistics (MATH or STATS)
  • Group 4 – Physics (PHYSICS)

Optional Courses

XL-level social sciences, humanities, and language courses are available if needed for a student’s academic goal, but are not required to earn the certificate. Students can include up to three of these courses and have them count towards the certificate’s 12 course minimum requirement.

Note: Students MUST let the department know so that XL-level social sciences, humanities, and language courses can be added to their certificate record since these are optional.

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GPA Requirement: Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of completion to earn the certificate. 

*Courses are equivalent to those taught on UCLA’s main campus and are numbered: XL 1-199. Please note, your course of study may vary depending on how many courses you need to fulfill your foundational requirements. Students who are new to the sciences or are career changers will likely have to take more than the minimum 12 courses. Concurrent courses are also accepted for credit in this program.

You have three years in which to complete all the courses required for the certificate. If you choose to apply courses taken previously at another school, your 3-year period would begin then, leaving you with less time in which to complete your UCLA Extension courses.

This certificate is approved for international students to study full time in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.

International students must meet English language proficiency requirements for admission into the program.

While most certificate programs begin each quarter, some have limited intakes for students studying on F-1 visa. Find this program on the Browse Certificate Programs page to confirm entry quarters before applying.

Learn more:

More Information

For further information to help navigate your studies with us, including certificate application instructions, course scheduling, fees and more, visit our frequently asked questions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Group 1 - Chemistry
Choose at least one course from the list below.
CHEM XL 14A
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
CHEM XL 14B
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
CHEM XL 14BL
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
CHEM XL 14C
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
CHEM XL 14CL
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
CHEM XL 14D
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
CHEM XL 153A
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
CHEM XL 153B
Typically Offered: Winter, Summer
CHEM XL 153C
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Group 2 - Biological Sciences
Choose at least one course from the list below.
LIFESCI XL 23L
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
LIFESCI XL 7A
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
LIFESCI XL 7B
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
LIFESCI XL 7C
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
LIFESCI XL 107
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
MCD BIO XL 100
Typically Offered: Winter, Summer
MCD BIO XL 138
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
MIMG XL 100L
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
MIMG XL 101
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
MIMG XL 102
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
PHYSCI XL 3
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
PHYSCI XL 13
Typically Offered: Winter, Spring, Summer
see all courses
Group 3 - Math/Statistics
Choose at least one course from the list below.
MATH XL 1
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
MATH XL 31A
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
MATH XL 31B
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
STATS XL 10
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
STATS XL 13
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring
Group 4 - Physics
Choose at least one course from the list below.
PHYSICS XL 5A
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter
PHYSICS XL 10
Typically Offered: Winter, Spring, Summer

Plan Your Studies

Whether you are bound for med school or another health profession, choosing the right courses to make sure your program's requirements are covered can be overwhelming.

Select your specific pre-health track below to see suggested courses.

Students who apply to this certificate program are also invited to a program orientation where they will be able to meet with the program’s academic counselor.

This certificate program is a total of 48 quarter units. Estimated tuition per credit hour is $312.50.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

95.00

Estimated Program Tuition

15000.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

1500.00

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

I graduated from Brown in May 2015 but I was not able to complete all of my requirements for medical school. UCLA Extension has opened that door for me. I knew that I could not afford a traditional post-baccalaureate program and thus, UCLA Extension has been a great opportunity. By allowing me to select only the courses I need, I have been able to save money and also take the necessary steps to get closer to my goals. The small class sizes have allowed me to be more confident to ask for help from my professors and my grades have reflected that.

Camila Salazar
nurse listening to a young patients heart beat

Upcoming Pre-Med Workshops

Take your next step with workshops offered by our partners at UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension.

Careers in Medicine Workshop
Learn about diverse career paths in the medical field, insightful tips from seasoned professionals and how to kick-start your journey towards a successful career in medicine.

Medical School Application Workshop
Chart your path to med school success! This 10-week workshop breaks down the complexities of the application process, helping you identify the perfect fit, master personal statements and ace interviews. 

MCAT Prep Course
Ace the MCAT with this comprehensive prep course. Gain access to expert guidance, practice resources and proven strategies to excel in this crucial exam. Enjoy a $1,000.00 savings when you sign up through UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension.

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