Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated Health Sciences Program FAQ

The Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated Health Sciences Program was developed specifically for college graduates who need to raise their undergraduate grade point average (academic enhancers) before applying to medical school. This is an intensive, full-time, completely online program that includes a prescribed set of courses, academic/career advising and application support.

The Accelerated Health Sciences Program offers completely online courses and advising. This online program is also cohort-based, with a prescribed curriculum and duration, focused primarily on academic-enhancing pre-medical students. The Health Professions Program is an on-ground program based in the Bay Area that supports all pre-health students and is customized to each student’s needs.

College graduates who have earned at least a baccalaureate degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. BCPM GPA is also considered. Applicants must also have basic medical school prerequisite courses completed (see below for more information). This program is not approved for international students who hold F-1 visas.

All applications received are considered individually and holistically by the admissions committee, regardless of whether an applicant meets the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. However, applying to our program with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 puts you at a significant disadvantage. If your GPA is below 3.0, our admissions committee would like to see evidence of an upward trend in your academic performance.

Applicants must have completed the general prerequisite courses for medical school. Specifically, the following courses must be completed with a passing grade of C or better at the time of application:

• general biology with lab: 1 year or 8 semester units
• general chemistry with lab: 1 year or 8 semester units
• organic chemistry with lab: 1 year or 8 semester units
• physics with lab: 1 year or 8 semester units
• calculus or statistics: 1 semester or 3 units

 

If you obtained your undergraduate (or graduate, if applicable) degree from an international institution, please have it professionally evaluated by a service such as WES and have your evaluated transcript sent to PostBacCAS. Please note that the majority of medical schools require prerequisite coursework to have been completed at a U.S. institution.

No, there are no residency requirements to apply. Also, there are no differences in the cost of courses for in-state versus out-of-state residents. Since this program is completely online, there is no need for relocation to California.

You may earn an Award of Completion by completing the Online Learning Orientation, 7 required credit courses (19 semester units) and 2 elective courses (minimum 3 semester units). You must take all courses for a letter grade. To receive the Award of Completion, you must maintain an overall minimum 3.5 GPA, with a grade of C or better in each course. All coursework must be completed within one year of being accepted into the program. Substitutions, waivers and transfer credit from outside institutions are not permitted. Program candidates must pay a nonrefundable program fee and be accepted into the Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated Health Sciences Program. Please note that the Award of Completion is an optional component of the program.

As the continuing education branch of UC Berkeley, one of the finest public research institutions in the United States, UC Berkeley Extension has an unmatched reputation for excellence. UC Berkeley Extension's campus-approved academic curricula and instructors are widely respected and contribute to the successful completion of a high-caliber course of study.

If you have already completed and passed a required course, as evidenced on your transcript(s), you can choose another course from the approved elective list. You must be enrolled in 5 courses in Term 1 and 4 courses in Term 2.

Because this is a full-time prescribed curriculum program, prior coursework at Extension does not count towards the program certificate.

This program is completely online. Classroom courses do not count toward the required curriculum.

All of your course material and interactions will take place in Canvas, our online learning platform. When you log into your online courses, you will find your lectures, readings, worksheets, quizzes, discussions and any other assignments your course may use. You will interact with your instructor and peers in discussions, and will receive feedback from your instructor on assignments. You will also be able to contact your instructor any time through the course inbox for questions or further guidance; instructors have two business days to reply to messages. Moving through the course, you will complete one module at a time, turn in your assignments, receive feedback from your instructor and then move on to the next module. After all of your work is submitted and graded, you will sit for your final exam at a proctoring site in your area. You will have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days after you enroll to complete the course, including the final exam. The program curriculum is split over two terms: Term 1 runs January through June, Term 2 runs July through December. Make sure to review your course syllabus, which will have further details that are specific to your course. Learn more about online learning, including viewing a tour of an online course.

No, you do not have to be formally accepted into the program to enroll in our courses. Our courses are open to the general public.

Official acceptance to the program gives you access to resources and benefits including:

• individualized advising—allowing you to tailor a course plan, identify a health program that fits your needs and prepare your application for further study
• support with the application process, including assistance with your personal statement, choosing your schools and MCAT preparation
• eligibility to receive a Post-Bacc Student Performance Evaluation letter of recommendation written by our program director that combines evaluations from your Extension instructors.

 

This is a new program, launching its first cohort in January 2021. However, our on-ground Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program has an 80–85% matriculation rate. We are confident that upon your successful completion of our courses and with advising support, you will also become a successful applicant for medical school.

No, we do not have official linkages with other programs.

In Term 2, you can choose to enroll in an MCAT test prep course or take another academic elective.

The total cost of the program is $14,000, which is paid in 3 payments. The first payment of $4,000 reserves your seat in the cohort and is due by November 15. The second payment of $5,000 ensures enrollment in Term 1 courses and is due by December 15. The third payment of $5,000 ensures enrollment in Term 2 courses and is due by June 15.

If invited to join the program, you must accept by November 15. The Online Learning Orientation must be completed in late December/early January before courses begin. Coursework is completed in 2 terms: January through June and then July through December. In the following January through June term you are still eligible to receive advising and support with their applications.

If you have any additional questions or would like to learn more about whether this program would be a good fit for you, please email us at extension-prehealth@berkeley.edu or call (510) 643-6901.

All applicants must apply through PostBacCAS. Be sure to add the “UC Berkeley Extension Accelerated Health Sciences” program to your application. The application cycle opens August 15th and applications are due September 15. We recommend that you begin collecting/requesting materials before the application cycle opens. Items required for a complete application:

Current C.V. or résumé

Any standardized test scores (GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT, etc.) if already taken

Three (3) professional letters of recommendation: at least one (1) from an academic reference (i.e., a faculty member from which you earned a letter grade)

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. International transcripts must be professionally translated. Your baccalaureate degree must be listed on your transcript.

Response to all questions on the “Questions” tab of the application.

Questions regarding the application system (for example, sending transcripts, uploading your C.V., submitting letters) can be directed to PostBacCAS Help Center. Email PostBacCasinfo@liaisoncas.com or call (857) 304-2047.

If you have not taken an academic course in over five years, you may submit a third professional letter of recommendation in place of an academic letter. If you have taken a course in the last five years and would like to request that the academic letter of recommendation requirement be waived for another reason, please send an email explaining your circumstances to extension-prehealth@berkeley.edu.

These references should be professional in nature, as they are not meant to serve as character references. Work or volunteer supervisors and colleagues are appropriate choices. Family members, family friends, personal physicians and religious leaders should be avoided.

You should be able to see the status of your application through the Dashboard in PostBacCAS. Once we receive your verified application, we will change your status to "Application Under Review."

The Admissions Committee will review all applications in the weeks following September 15. Accepted applicants will be notified by October 15.

Applications can be submitted between August 15th and September 15th via PostBacCAS prior to the calendar year that you want to begin courses.

No; at the time of application, all applicants must already possess a bachelor’s degree.

If you are accepted into the program, you will be enrolled in courses by the program staff. You will then confirm your course selection through the Post-Bacc Canvas page by December 15.

Please visit our Financial Assistance page for more information on private student loans and other financial discounts available to Extension students. Please note that Extension is not eligible for federal financial aid.

Once you have completed the program requirements, please email extension-prehealth@berkeley.edu to check on your award status. Your Award of Completion will be issued via mail.

Obtaining your Award of Completion indicates that you have completed the academic requirements of the program. However, advising and application support continues in Term 3 following completion of courses.

If you have applied for and been accepted to medical school, congratulations! Please email us at extension-prehealth@berkeley.edu and let us know what school(s) you were accepted to and when/where you intend to matriculate. You will be asked to complete a brief exit survey upon exit from the program.