Specific admission requirements vary per medical school. You should consult with schools
of interest to determine their specific admission requirements.
Suggested academic preparation:
- Bachelor's degree- A bachelor's degree plus prerequisite courses in the sciences are
the required for most medical schools.
- Competitive academic record- Heavy course loads (17-18 credit hours by junior year),
multiple science courses with labs in the same semester, and high grades in all courses,
especially the sciences, are recommended.
- Major in anything
We recommend you meet with an advisor once a semester to ensure you are progressing
with the correct academic coursework.
WCU offers early assurance (EA) programs for Medicine at PSU, PCOM, and LECOM.
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
There are two common types of medical degrees: the M.D. or the D.O. An M.D. degree
is awarded to students who graduate from one of over 150 allopathic medical schools.
Students interested in osteopathic medicine can earn a D.O. degree from one of 35
osteopathic medical schools in the nation. Both types of physicians can work in one
or more specialties (family and general medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry,
surgery, etc.) and in various medical environments (clinics, hospitals, healthcare
organizations, etc.). They diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and perform surgery.
Osteopathic medical education also includes training in hands-on manipulative therapy.
M.D. and D.O. programs generally consists of four years of academic coursework at
a medical school and clinical experiences leading to the medical doctorate degree.
Medical school graduates then begin residency, which can take 3-8 additional years
to complete. Residency training is completed at a training hospital and is considered
paid employment.