Physician
Post-baccalaureate degree: MD or DO
Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients about illness, injuries, health conditions, and prevention. They can also conduct medical research, teach, and run medical centers. Physicians work in one or more specialties.
Academic and Career Information (Allopathic) - updated 2020 (PDF)
Academic and Career Information (Osteopathic)- updated 2020 (PDF)
Minimum Prerequisites for Admission
The following prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation in a physician program:
- baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- each program has its own prerequisites: check specific school for prerequisites details through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- general course prerequisites:
- general biology with lab, one year
- biochemistry, one course
- general chemistry with lab, one year
- organic chemistry with lab, one year
- general physics with lab, one year
- English, one year
- college mathematics, one year
Test Needed
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Professional Associations
Application Service
- American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
California Medical Schools
- California Health Sciences University (Osteopathic)
- California Northstate University
- California University of Science and Medicine
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Loma Linda University
- Stanford University
- Touro University (Osteopathic)
- University of California Davis
- University of California Irvine
- University of California Los Angeles
- University of California Riverside
- University of California San Diego
- University of California San Francisco
- University of Southern California
- Western University of Health Sciences
Page Summary
General Education
We recommend that all pre-health students enroll in courses that meet the particular general education requirements to help develop a broad understanding of the health professions in relation to other disciplines of study. Review our General Education Recommendations (PDF) for additional information.