Through hands-on clinical education in the heart of a rapidly evolving city, the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides a distinct experiential advantage that sets you apart from your peers at other colleges, especially when applying for residency programs. Whether in our partner hospitals or in surrounding communities, you can put your knowledge to work treating patients in Detroit, one of the most dynamic urban environments in the world.

The Post-Baccalaureate Program was established by Charles Whitten, M.D., in 1969 as the first program of its kind in the country. It is a certificate program for qualified disadvantaged and underrepresented students seeking admission to medical schools. The program encourages diversity in health care professions by increasing the number of physicians from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Graduates of the program receive the Graduate Certificate in Premedical Studies.

For more information, contact Tekiendria Batts at tbatts3@wayne.edu or 313-577-1598.

For more information about applying to medical school, contact Deborah Holland at dholland@med.wayne.edu or 313-577-3153.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Post-Baccalaureate Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, Canadian citizen, or have completed a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree at Wayne State University regardless of citizenship.
• Must be a Michigan resident.
• Preference is given to first-generation college graduates.
• Must have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by June of the year for which admission is requested.
• A minimum MCAT score of 495 is required.
  • The MCAT must have been taken within the past three years at time of application and no more than twice in the last year.
  • Maximum of six total attempts on the MCAT before applying.
• Three letters of recommendation (see Letters of Recommendation Policy).
• Minimum undergraduate total cumulative GPA of 2.75.
• Completion of medical school prerequisites (see Premedical Coursework Policy).
  • Have a combined biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics GPA of 2.5.
• A current complete application with the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS).
• Must meet the Technical, Non-Academic Standards.

Application and Selection

Students must submit an electronic application (available annually in March), three letters of recommendation and all MCAT scores by the posted deadline. If the MCAT is scheduled for March, upload the test reservation receipt as a PDF.  Applications will be selected with receipt of a March test date.

A secondary application may be requested and reviewed during the month of April. Selected students will be interviewed in May and June. Interviews will be conducted by the Post-Baccalaureate Selection Committee, which consists of physicians, faculty and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion staff. The Post-Baccalaureate Selection Committee is chaired by the vice dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. A maximum of 16 students are accepted each year.

Upon completion of the certificate program, students shall be assessed to determine if they have met the program requirements and if they will be recommended to the Admissions Committee for consideration of admission to the medical school. The final decision of accepting students rests with Admissions Committee.

Frequently asked questions

What are the pre-requisites for the program?

All Post-Baccalaureate Program applicants should have completed:

• AMCAS application
• Two semesters of General Biology
• Two semesters of General/Inorganic Chemistry
• Two semesters of Physics
• One semester of Writing
• Two semesters of Organic Chemistry or one semester of Organic Chemistry and one semester of Biochemistry
• A minimum of one semester of laboratory coursework (in Chemistry, Physics and/or Biology)
• Recommended: Biochemistry, Statistics, Medical Ethics, Mathematics, Social Sciences
• Upper-level Biology

How many letters of recommendation are required? 

We request letters of recommendation with your application. An application must include three letters of recommendation with at least two from faculty members. One letter must have been written within the past 12 months.

Will everyone who applies be offered an interview?

All applicants are not offered an interview. A holistic review of applicants is conducted to determine which applicants are invited to interviews.

Is admission to medical school guaranteed upon completion of the program?

No, there is no guaranteed admission. All accepted students are assessed to determine if they have met the program requirements and if they will be recommended to the Admission Committee for consideration of admission to medical school. According to policy, all medical school admissions are finalized by the Wayne State University School of Medicine Admissions Committee.

How are students assessed in the program?

Students are assessed in the following areas:

• Learning assessment(s)
• Academic assessment (based on coursework)
• Non-cognitive assessment
• Professionalism assessment

What courses do students take in the program?

The program consists of 12 total credit hours, which consists of the following courses:

• PSL 5200 Embryology - Premedical Studies
• PSL 5250 Biochemistry - Premedical Studies
• PSL 5300 Physiology - Premedical Studies
• PSL 5400 Histology - Premedical Studies
• PSL 5450 Gross Anatomy - Premedical Studies
• PSL 7350 Psychosocial Perspectives of Health Care - Premedical Studies

Is this a degree-granting program?

No, the Post-Baccalaureate Program is not a degree-granting program.

Is this a certificate-granting program?

Yes. Students who successfully complete the program receive a Graduate Certificate in Premedical Studies from the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Is there a tuition charge for this program?

All program fees for accepted participants are funded by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. There are no additional course fees. The Post-Baccalaureate Program is limited to low-income residents in Michigan who meet program criteria and are selected for the program through a holistic application review and interview process.

How long is the program?

The in-person program begins at the end of August and runs through June of the following year.

Do program participants qualify for financial aid?

No, program participants do not qualify for financial aid because all program fees are paid by the School of Medicine's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Program participants receive a living stipend during their year in the program. There are no additional program expenses.