Program Schedule

The program is flexibly designed to meet the student’s needs and background. The time required to complete the certificate program ranges from fifteen to twenty-four months, depending on the preparation of the incoming student.

Students may elect to take one, two, or three science courses (including labs) during an academic term. Taking three science courses per semester is a heavy load, and therefore these schedules should be considered carefully by those with little or no exposure to rigorous college level science courses. In addition, students with little or no volunteer experience in a medical setting will need to allow time for that activity. Further, allowing time to prepare for the MCAT exam is an important consideration.

The following are typical schedules for a student applying for entry in each of the three terms.

SPRING ENTRY

Seats for spring term entry are extremely limited and only applicants that need to complete a math course (Calculus I or II or Statistics) and/or have completed one term of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics should apply for entry for this term. Georgetown does not offer all courses all terms. Biology I, Chemistry I, Physics I, and Organic Chemistry I are only offered in the fall term. The second session of these courses is only offered in the spring term. These courses must be taken in sequence.

For example, a student who enters in the spring with Physics I completed could have the following schedule:

At this point a student will have completed all the pre-reqs for most medical schools. Additional coursework such as Biochemistry, Genetics, etc., may require additional terms.

SUMMER ENTRY

All the basic prerequisite courses are offered during the summer term and are taught by regular Georgetown faculty. The section I courses are offered during the first summer session and section II courses during the second summer session. Students may only take one course during each session. Summer term courses are offered in a very compressed time period. If you are the type of student that needs additional study time you should carefully consider whether entering this term is right for you. Please visit the School of Continuing Studies website for information about the summer schedule.

A typical completion schedule for a student entering in the summer term is:

1st term (summer)

• Gen Chem I + lab
• Gen Chem II + lab

2nd term (fall)

• Bio I + lab
• Organic Chem I + lab
• optional math class if needed

3rd term (spring)

• second Bio course + lab
• Organic Chem II + lab
• optional math class if needed

4th term (summer)

• Physics I + lab
• Physics II + lab

At this point a student will have completed all the pre-reqs for most medical schools. Additional coursework such as Biochemistry, Genetics, etc., may require additional terms.

FALL ENTRY

A typical completion schedule for a student entering in the fall term is:

1st term (fall)

• Bio I + lab
• Gen Chem I + lab
• optional – a math class if needed

2nd term (spring)

• second Bio course + lab
• Gen Chem II + lab
• optional – a math class if needed

3rd term (summer)

• Organic Chem I + lab
• Organic Chem II + lab
• or
• Physics I + lab
• Physics II + lab

4th term (fall)

• Organic Chem I + lab
• or
• Physics I + lab

5th term (spring)

• Organic Chem II + lab
• or
• Physics II + lab

At this point a student will have completed all the pre-reqs for most medical schools. Additional coursework such as Biochemistry, Genetics, etc., may be added in the final two terms or may require additional terms.

Note that completion of the pre-req courses does not necessarily mean a student is ready to apply to medical school. Time for study and preparation for the MCAT exam at the end of the pre-requisite coursework and volunteer and/or research opportunities need to also be considered.