Preparation for Grad School Programs

You are encouraged to review the requirements of specific graduate school programs to ensure you are taking the proper courses to meet admission requirements.

At UMKC, the following courses are referred to as pre-dental courses. The Algebra, English, Biology, Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry courses should all be completed before the Dental Admission Test (DAT) is taken. Some of the pre-dental courses are already required as part of your BHS degree, so will not be re-listed here.

 

Pre-dental students should know that dental schools encourage prospective students to have a solid background in social sciences and humanities, which is one of the reasons why the BHS degree is such an excellent choice for prospective dental students. The course titles and numbers for pre-dental courses are:

  • Biol 108: General Biology I (3) – best taken in the Spring semester; do not have to take the lab at the same time
  • Biol 108L: General Biology I Lab (1)
  • Biol 109: General Biology II (3)
  • Biol 109L: General Biology II Lab (1)
  • Chem 211: General Chemistry I (4) – best taken as one of the first elective courses; do need to take the lab at the same time
  • Chem 211L: General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • Chem 212: General Chemistry II (4)
  • Chem 212L: General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • Chem 321: Organic Chemistry I (3)
  • Chem 321L: Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • Chem 322: Organic Chemistry II (3)
  • Chem 322L: Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • Physics 210: General Physics I (includes lab) (4) – best not taken in your first semester
  • Physics 220: General Physics II (includes lab) (4)
  • Biol 202: Cell Biology (3)
  • LS Bioc 441: Basic Biochemistry (3)

In addition to the above courses, some dental schools may also require students to take additional courses.  Some of these may be:

  • Phil 222: Logical Reasoning (3) – which is one of the Phil choices for BHS
  • Math 210: Calculus I (4)
  • Biol 328: Histology (2)

At UMKC, the following courses are referred to as pre-med courses. They should all be completed before the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is taken. Some of the pre-med courses are required as part of your BHS degree, so will not be re-listed here.

Pre-med students should know that medical schools encourage prospective students to have a solid background in the social sciences and humanities, which is one of the reasons why the BHS degree is such an excellent choice for prospective medical students. The course titles and numbers for pre-med courses are:

      • Biol 108: General Biology I (3) – best taken in the Spring semester; do not have to take the lab at the same time
      • Biol 108L: General Biology I Lab (1)
      • Biol 109: General Biology II (3)
      • Biol 109L: General Biology II Lab (1)
      • Chem 211: General Chemistry I (4) – best taken as one of the first elective courses; do need to take the lab at the same time
      • Chem 211L: General Chemistry I Lab (1)
      • Chem 212: General Chemistry II (4)
      • Chem 212L: General Chemistry II Lab (1)
      • Chem 321: Organic Chemistry I (3)
      • Chem 321L: Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
      • Chem 322: Organic Chemistry II (3)
      • Chem 322L: Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
      • Physics 210: General Physics I (includes lab) (4) – best not taken in your first semester
      • Physics 220: General Physics II (includes lab) (4)
      • Biol 202: Cell Biology (3)
      • LS Bioc 441: Basic Biochemistry (3)

In addition to the above courses, some medical schools may have additional course requirements. These commonly include:

      • Math 210: Calculus I (4)
      • Biol 206: Genetics (3)

At UMKC, the following courses are referred to as pre-PA courses.  Some of the pre-PA courses are required as part of this undergraduate degree, so will not be relisted here.

 

Pre-PA students should be aware that for the UMKC PA program, it is preferred if all prerequisite coursework is completed within seven years of the application deadline with no more than two prerequisite courses remaining incomplete after the application deadline.  Shadowing experience is required for PA applicants, and preference is given to applicants with direct patient care experience.

BIO 108/108L General Biology I w/lab                                                     4 hrs

BIO 109/109L General Biology II w/lab (optional)                               4 hrs

HLSC 120 Anatomy and Physiology I w/lab                                            4 hrs

HLSC 160 Anatomy and Physiology II w/lab                                           4 hrs

LS MICRO 121 Microbiology w/ lab                                                           4 hrs

CHEM 211/CHEM 211L Gen Chem I w/ lab                                             5 hrs

CHEM 212R/CHEM 212LR Gen Chem II w/lab                                       5 hrs

CHEM 320 (or CHEM 321/CHEM 321L) Organic Chem w/ lab         4-5 hrs

BIO 202 Cell Biology                                                                                        3 hrs

LS BIOCHEM 341 Biochemistry                                                                   3 hrs

This is for students interested in a Master’s in Orthotics and Prosthetics. While UMKC does not offer orthotics and prosthetics as a degree, the following courses are commonly required and/or recommended for entry into orthotics and prosthetic programs. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of programs of interest to you to ensure you are taking the proper courses to meet their entry requirements.

The following courses are commonly required and/or recommended for entry into prosthetic/orthotic graduate programs. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of programs of interest to you to ensure you are taking the proper courses to meet their entry requirements.

      • Math 120: College Algebra/Trig (Pre-Calc) (5)
      • HLSC 345: Quantitative Analysis (3)
      • Psych 210: General Psychology (3)
      • Psych 433: Abnormal Psychology (3)
      • HLSC 252: Human Growth and Development (3)
      • Biol 108: General Biology I (3)
      • Biol 108L: General Biology I Lab (1)
      • Biol 109: General Biology II (3)
      • Biol 109L: General Biology II Lab (1)
      • HLSC 120: Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
      • HLSC 160: Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
      • Chem 211: General Chemistry I (4)
      • Chem 211L: General Chemistry I Lab (1)
      • Chem 212: General Chemistry II (4)
      • Chem 212L: General Chemistry II Lab (1)
      • Physics 210: General Physics I (includes lab) (4)
      • Physics 220: General Physics II (includes lab) (4)

Total hours of Pre-Prosthetic/Orthotic coursework: 51 hrs

In addition to the aforementioned pre-requisite courses, you should also:

      • Volunteer and job shadow in a variety of prosthetic and orthotic clinic settings throughout your college career. Prosthetic/Orthotic graduate programs require 50- 300 hours of volunteer/service hours and some require this work to be completed in more than one setting.
          *Your BHS internship (300 hours) can be used to fulfill this requirement.
      • Actively involve yourself with activities demonstrating your social conscience, compassion, and personal character
      • Show leadership ability through collegiate or community activities
      • Possess ability to communicate with a variety of people in a variety of ways (i.e. written, verbal, non-verbal, technological, etc.)
      • Demonstrate your ability to effectively manage time

The following resources will be of assistance to you in exploring Prosthetic/Orthotic programs:

National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education: http://www.ncope.org/

2017 Annual Listing of Orthotic and Prosthetic Practitioner Programs Accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: http://www.ncope.org/accredited/practitioner/

At UMKC, the following courses are referred to as pre-pharm courses. They should all be completed prior to fall entry into the PharmD program. Some of the pre-pharm courses are required as part of your BHS degree, so will not be re-listed here, unless there is a time restriction associated with the pre-pharm requirements.

The UMKC School of Pharmacy advising office reminds students that since a high PGA is extremely important (average GPA for admission is 3.6), these courses should not be rushed through. The course titles and numbers for pre-pharm courses are:

      • Biol 108: General Biology I (no lab necessary) (3)
      • Biol 109: General Biology II (no lab necessary) (3)
      • Chem 211: General Chemistry I (4)
      • Chem 211L: General Chemistry I Lab (1)
      • Chem 212: General Chemistry II (4)
      • Chem 212L: General Chemistry II Lab (1)
      • Physics 210: General Physics I (includes lab) (4)
      • Math 210: Calculus I (4) -OR- Math 216 Biomath I: Calculus and Modeling (4)

The following courses must also be completed, but must be completed within FIVE YEARS prior to admission entry date:

      • Chem 321: Organic Chemistry I (3)
      • Chem 321L: Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
      • Chem 322: Organic Chemistry II (3)
      • Chem 322L: Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
      • Biol 202: Cell Biology (3)
      • HLSC 120: Anatomy & Physiology I (includes lab) (4)
      • HLSC 160: Anatomy & Physiology II (includes lab) (4)
      • HLSC 280: Medical Terminology (3)

Note: (A&P I, A&P II, and HLSC 280 must be taken as part of the BHS degree, but these are re-listed here since they must be taken within 5 years prior to admission date to PharmD)

      • LS-MCRB 121: Human Biology III (Microbiology) (3)
      • LS-MCRB 121L: Human Biology III (Microbiology) Lab (2)

This is for students interested in a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. While UMKC does not offer physical therapy as a degree, the following courses are commonly required and/or recommended for entry into physical therapy programs. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of programs of interest to you to ensure you are taking the proper courses to meet their entry requirements.

Some of the pre-physical therapy courses are already required as part of your BHS degree, so will not be re-listed here. The course titles and numbers for pre-physical therapy courses are:

Required courses—all must be completed at least one year prior to entering physical therapy program:

      • Phil 321: Ethics (3)
      • Psych 433: Abnormal Psychology (3)
      • Biol 108: General Biology I (3)
      • Biol 108L: General Biology I Lab (1)
      • Biol 109: General Biology II (3)
      • Biol 109L: General Biology II Lab (1)
      • Chem 211: General Chemistry I (4)
      • Chem 211L: General Chemistry I Lab (1)
      • Chem 212: General Chemistry II (4)
      • Chem 212L: General Chemistry II Lab (1)
      • Physics 210: General Physics I (includes lab) (4)
      • Physics 220: General Physics II (includes lab) (4)

Recommended courses:

      • COMM ST 377: Interpersonal Communication (3)
      • CS 100: Computer Survival (3)
      • First Aid/CPR Certification

This is for students interested in a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. While UMKC does not offer occupational therapy as a degree, the following courses are commonly required and/or recommended for entry into occupational therapy programs. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of programs of interest to you to ensure you are taking the proper courses to meet their entry requirements.

Some of the pre-occupational therapy courses are already required as part of your BHS degree, so will not be re-listed here. The course titles and numbers for pre-occupational therapy courses are:

Required courses—all must be completed at least one year prior to entering occupational therapy program:

      • Phil 321: Ethics (3)
      • Psych 433: Abnormal Psychology (3)
      • Biol 108: General Biology I (3)
      • Biol 108L: General Biology I Lab (1)
      • Chem 211: General Chemistry I (4)
      • Chem 211L: General Chemistry I Lab (1)

Recommended courses

      • COMM ST 377: Interpersonal Communication (3)
      • CS 100: Computer Survival (3)
      • First Aid/CPR Certification

UMKC’s Accelerated Nursing program is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and would like to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This takes the UMKC three-year pre-licensure course work and condenses it to a 5 semester completion timeframe.

Students must have all pre-requisite courses completed during the spring semester of the year they apply to the clinical program. Some of the pre-requisite courses for the Accelerated Nursing program are already required as part of your BHS degree, so will not be re-listed here, unless there is a time restriction associated with the pre-requisite. The course titles and numbers for the pre-requisite courses are:

Required courses—all must be completed within five years prior to admission entry date

      • LS-MCRB 112: Microbiology and Living (3)
      • HLSC 120: Anatomy & Physiology I (includes lab) (4)
      • HLSC 160: Anatomy & Physiology II (includes lab) (4)
      • Chem 115: Elements of Chemistry I (4)
      • Chem 115L: Elements of Chemistry I Lab (1)