Postbaccalaureate
Pre-Medical/Pre-Health

Personalized Attention.
Professional Growth.
Community Impact.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO BECOME A DOCTOR

Some extremely bright and talented people finish their undergraduate degrees with majors in something outside of science and may even work for a few years before they finally recognize their inner calling to become a medical doctor. If you recognize yourself in that statement it is not too late to realize your dream!

The Loras College Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical/Pre-Health program is intended for individuals interested in changing their career to healthcare and who require the prerequisite courses to apply to one of the following professional schools: medicine, optometry, dentistry, podiatry, physical/occupational therapy, physician assistant, or veterinary medicine.

I chose Loras’s Postbaccalaureate Premedical program because of how responsive and helpful the faculty and admission staff were during the application process, and since arriving in Dubuque this support has only increased. I truly feel like I have my own personal team helping me accomplish my goal of getting into medical school. Additionally, coming into this program with an undergraduate degree in business and no science background, I am grateful for the small class sizes at Loras, which has allowed me to get to know my professors well. They are knowledgeable and invested in my success.”
–Claire B.

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

“Loras faculty have gone the extra mile to ensure that I have been supported not only during my time at Loras, but during the medical school application process as well!”

Sarah Doverspike
Postbaccalaureate Pre-Med/Pre-Health Program (‘20)

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

"The Loras postbaccalaureate premedical program has provided me with a toolbox of resources that I have been able to use to put together a competitive application."

Hear from Sarah

Collaborative, Experiential Learning

All classes and laboratory sections are taught by professors with PhDs, not teaching assistants. Faculty lead research groups and incorporate new research developments into their classes.

Collaborative, Experiential Learning

"Class sizes are small, and faculty are innovative, supportive teachers - guiding students in collaborative learning."

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Dubuque: Affordable, Nationally Recognized

Housed on a safe, scenic campus nestled high atop the majestic bluffs of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, Loras College, founded in 1839 is proud to be Iowa’s oldest college. Dubuque is an affordable, civically engaged, nationally recognized city making it a wonderful place to live. Visit traveldubuque.com.

Dubuque: Affordable, Nationally Recognized

"Dubuque is an affordable, civically engaged, nationally recognized city making it a wonderful place to live and learn. "

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Postbaccalaureate Premedical Student Benefits

Loras provides postbaccalaureate premedical students with all the same benefits as Loras science students: laptops and technology assistance, integrated labs, study abroad, athletic and wellness center access, extracurricular and spiritual life opportunities, and much more. Housing is available.

Postbaccalaureate Premedical Student Benefits

"Postbaccalaureate premedical students receive all the same benefits as Loras science students. "

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Iowa’s only career-changer Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical / Pre-Health Program

The Loras College Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical /Pre-Health Program offers a 12-month intensive program to complete the classes commonly required for entrance to medical and dental school and covers the prerequisites for most admissions for other health professional schools. The program is more than the courses you take with dedicated professors; in this intensive program you will be advised and guided by a dedicated pre-health advisor (with a medical degree), intensely prepare for the MCAT exam, observe and learn from doctors in hospitals and clinics, and receive a detailed committee letter of evaluation for your professional program of choice.

12 Month Course Curriculum

The curriculum below is intended for students interested in pursuing medical school. The curriculum for students interested in other health professional schools (dental, veterinary, physician assistant, physical/occupational therapy, etc.) may vary slightly.

An official Loras College transcript will be provided for all  coursework. In addition, the Postbaccalaureate Committee evaluates every student’s work after each term and provides a comprehensive letter of reference for students applying to medical, osteopathic, dental, and other health profession schools.

12 Month Course Curriculum PDF

 

Requirements, Instructions & PostBacCAS Application

The following page covers eligibility, how to apply and important application requirement dates.

Requirements, Instructions & PostBacCAS Application

 

Tuition & Fees

The cost of the program is currently per credit hour. View specifics utilizing the Tuition & Fees button below.

Tuition & Fees

 

Financial Aid Information

FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS, PRIVATE LOANS & FAFSA
Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical / Pre-Health Program students enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per term) are eligible for federal direct loans for one consecutive 12-month period, provided they have not already borrowed the maximum amount allowed*.

The most that Postbac Premed students can borrow each academic year is $12,500 if one has never borrowed before, and may be less if the student has prior borrowing history. The estimated cost of the entire Postbaccalaureate Program can range from $22,000 to $29,000 depending upon course selection. Private loans are also available to students who have met their federal loan limit.

More information regarding private loans can be found at: https://choice.fastproducts.org/FastChoice/home/187300/1

The FAFSA is required (https://fafsa.ed.gov/).

*The maximum borrowed amount allowed is:
• Dependent undergraduate students: $31,000 (no more than $23,000 of this may be subsidized loans).
• Independent undergraduate students (age 24 or older): $57,500 (no more than $23,000 of this may be subsidized loans).

 

Frequently Asked Questions

There are generally two types of postbaccalaureate pre-med/pre-health programs: career-changer programs and grade-enhancer programs. Our program is a career-changer program.

The Loras career-changer postbaccalaureate program is for students who graduated from college with a major outside of science and need the science prerequisites to apply to medical and other health-related professional schools.

View Frequently Asked Questions

 

Loras College has a rich liberal arts tradition and a strong history of educating students for various health care professions. We strive to develop active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision makers, and responsible contributors – all key attributes for success in your chosen career in medical/ health care and for a satisfying life. We are interested in people joining our premedical program for whom medicine will not be just a job, but rather the vocation they are choosing to use their talents to best serve humanity.

  • 12-month program timeline for medical and dental school, and most health-related professional schools. Alternatively, work with the Program Director to design an individual plan to complete prerequisite courses depending on your professional program of choice and in the time frame that works for you.
  • Personal advising from the Program Director and faculty teaching in the program. Small program size so we are able to provide personalized attention to all students in the program.
  • Priority class registration.
  • Small class size.
  • Assistance finding shadowing, research and other related opportunities.
  • Opportunity to take an anatomy class with human cadavers.
  • Regular postbaccalaureate seminar.
  • Application guidance, including personal statement guidance and interviewing practice.
  • Admission test guidance.
  • Committee letter of evaluation for medical school or professional program of choice.
  • Beautiful Midwest location with a robust health care environment which provides opportunities for students to gain experience in the health care field.
  • Reasonable tuition.
  • Financial aid options may be available.
Loras College Department Staff

Ulrike Schultz, MD, MPH
Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Director & Pre-Health Advisor
563.588.7255 | Ulrike.Schultz@loras.edu
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Kate Cooper, Ph.D.
Division of Molecular, Life & Health Sciences Chair
Professor of Biology
563.588.7956 | Kate.Cooper@loras.edu
Full Profile

Thomas Davis, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
563.588.7767 | Thomas.Davis@loras.edu
Full Profile

Adam Moser, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry
563.588.7920 | Adam.Moser@loras.edu
Full Profile

David Oostendorp, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
563.588.7259 | David.Oostendorp@loras.edu
Full Profile

Kristen Stauffer-Thompson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Engineering
563.588.7122 | Kristen.Thompson@loras.edu
Full Profile

Questions? Let’s get in touch.

Ulrike Schultz, MD, MPH
Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Program Director & Pre-Health Advisor
Ulrike.Schultz@loras.edu
563.588.7255 

Megan Henderson
Loras College Graduate Admissions
megan.henderson@loras.edu
563.588.7140

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