Tufts’ Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health Program is designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree but need to complete all or most of the prerequisite coursework required to apply to graduate school in the health professions.
This program includes eight to ten courses and can be customized to support you in pursuing a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, osteopathy, nursing, or other fields. In addition, we offer important professional development opportunities, mentorship, and standardized testing preparations.
As a student in the program, you’ll work with a health professions advisor to develop an individualized program of study. The broad variety of courses available at Tufts allows you to meet your prerequisite requirements while also taking courses in your areas of interest.
Beyond completing your course requirements, the program will prepare you for the process of applying to graduate school and you’ll learn strategies that will set you up for success as a future health professions graduate student. You and your cohort will have access to development workshops specifically designed for you with topics such as exploring the graduate school application process, studying for standardized tests, and gaining clinical experience. You will also be integrated into the campus community and have access to many resources and programs.
After completing your prerequisite courses, the Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health Program, in conjunction with the Professional Schools Application Program, will prepare a letter of recommendation for your application to graduate school.
Over the past ten years, graduates of our program have gone on to more than 50 different health professions schools across the country.
To be eligible for the Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health Program, students must have completed their bachelor's degree from an accredited US college or university. All required materials must be received before your application may be reviewed.
A minimum of eight courses is required to complete Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health Program. All courses are taught by faculty from the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy and other STEM-based departments. All Tufts undergraduate courses that are relevant to preparation for the health professions are available to Post-bacc Pre-Health students.
For a list of common courses take, visit the Program Website.
Tuition for this the Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health certificate is billed at a flat rate semi-annually and only during the first year of the program. No tuition is due during your second year of study.
| Tuition* | The 2026-2027 tuition for this program is $47,724 (or $23,862 per semester). This covers the tuition of the entire program (8-10 courses). |
| Total Courses Required | 8 courses |
| Enrollment Status | Full-Time |
Program tuition is split into two payments during your first year. While the example below outlines a typical semester-by-semester cost, your actual experience—including credits and total time to completion—will depend on your specific course load and enrollment status. Below is one sample breakdown of your courseload and billing structure.
Note: For student success and optimal scheduling, we do not recommend taking more than two lab sciences in a single semester.
| Fall | Spring | Summer | Total | |
| Year 1 | 2 courses | 2 courses | 2 courses | 6 courses |
| $23,862 | $23,862 | $0 | $47,724 | |
| Year 2 | 1-2 courses | 1-2 courses | 2-4 courses | |
| $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
| Estimated Total Tuition* | $47,724* |
While the Post‑baccalaureate Pre-Health program does not offer institutional scholarships or program-specific funding, we are committed to supporting students as they explore financing options. This program is eligible for federal loans. Additionally, the following opportunities are available:
Visit our Graduate Financial Aid page for information on loans and financing options.
Our program is designed for premed students as well as students interested in other health professions who need to complete prerequisite coursework and are career changers.
Many of our students did not intend to pursue a career in health care as undergraduates and now wish to take pre-health coursework for the first time. Others may have begun the sciences but moved in a different career direction. If you have taken all of your prereqs or the MCAT/DAT, you are not eligible for our program.
However, this program is not for the student who wishes to enhance an existing undergraduate GPA or who completed all their pre-health requirements. If you are interested in this type of education, please explore the MS in Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program on the Tufts Medical campus!
Our "typical student" is between 23-40, had at least a "B+" undergraduate average, scored at or above the 80th percentile in standardized tests and has demonstrated, through volunteer or employment experience, a strong motivation for a career in health care. This means that you have had previous exposure to clinical work and can demonstrate intentionality in your change.
Tufts University and the health care community believe that older students make particularly good candidates for schools in the health professions. This belief is supported by the high percentage — over 90% — who matriculate into medical school and other health care professional programs.
This program is not a remedial or enhancement program. It is for those who have not yet taken most of the prerequisite science courses for their intended health career.
For college graduates who completed all of their undergraduate prerequisites and need to strengthen an existing science record, Tufts offers a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Degree Program. This program is based at the School of Medicine on the Boston Health Sciences Campus. Students take first year medical school courses, as well as some unique graduate-level science courses.
If you are a college graduate looking to complete course requirements for applying to a variety of health professions graduate programs, you are in the right place.
Typically, there are two types of post-bacc programs: career-changer programs and academic enhancement programs. Career-changer programs are for students who already have an undergraduate degree but need to take pre-requisite coursework for the first time to be eligible to apply to health professions schools. Academic enhancement programs are for students who have already taken the majority of their pre-health prerequisite coursework as an undergraduate student but need to improve their science GPA. Tufts is a career-changer program and accepts students who have not already taken the majority of their prerequisite coursework.
Every aspect of an application is examined: the transcript(s), letters of recommendation, essay question(s), résumé, and test scores. We are looking for a strong academic record, either paid or volunteer experience in a health field and a strong motivation for a career in healthcare.
Some of our students come to Tufts having already taken one or two of their basic science requirements; however, they still have most of their prerequisite course work to complete. To fulfill program requirements, students must complete a minimum of eight science courses at Tufts. Taking at least eight courses gives the Tufts Health Professions Advisors the opportunity to know a student well enough to assemble a committee letter for support. Students in our program may take a maximum of ten courses.
Our program is not intended for students who wish to enhance a past academic record. Instead, it is for career changers. If you have already taken all of your coursework or taken the MCAT or DAT, you are ineligible for our program.
Note that many health profession schools expect relevant science course work to be recent, i.e., taken within 5-7 years of the time of application. If you took one or two of your premed courses years ago, you would be allowed to retake them here, along with your remaining courses.
If you have already taken the MCAT or DAT then you are not eligible for our program as you have taken your prereqs already.
Submitting your test scores (SAT, ACT, or GREs) is optional. You must contact the test administrator in order to send official scores to Tufts. In most cases, test scores printed from the ETS or CollegeBoard website are incomplete and are not accepted by this program. When requesting official scores, please use the following institution codes:
Please do not use the general Tufts University code when ordering your SAT or ACT reports. Scores sent to the general code will go to Undergraduate Admissions and the Post-bacc Pre-Health Program will not have access to that data.
Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, or GREs) are optional. If you do decide to submit scores, please know that the age of the scores is not a factor in our evaluation. What is more important to consider is whether your past scores are indicative of your academic ability.
Absolutely! Immersing yourself in your chosen career field is important in determining its suitability for you, and we expect that applicants will have gained some hands-on experience prior to applying to our program. We evaluate an applicant's specific healthcare experiences and interests. Direct exposure to healthcare not only acts as a powerful motivator for students as they pursue their studies but also enhances their professional school applications significantly.
Please make sure to indicate this experience on an updated resume or CV in your application so we know about your commitment to the field!
Over the past decade, graduates of our Post-baccalaureate Program have gone on to more than 50 different health professional schools across the country, and we are pleased to be able to support students interested in a variety of health professions.
The Post-bacc Pre-Health Program also has linkage programs with Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and UMass Chan Medical School. Learn more about linkage programs.
Some of the schools that our recent alumni have attended include:
MD (Allopathic Medical Schools)
DO (Osteopathic Medical Schools)
Dental
Veterinary Medicine
Applicants must be US citizens or US permanent residents at the time of application. We are unable to sponsor student visas or consider applicants requiring visa sponsorship.
No. If you plan to relocate to the Boston area for this program, you will need to locate your own housing. An excellent website to explore is the Tufts Off-Campus Housing Resource Center.
As a point of reference, the communities of Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, and Arlington are the ones closest to the Tufts University Medford campus where you will be taking classes. If you plan to bring a car, then you can expand your housing search to the suburbs. Most of our students find apartments (singles and shared) within walking distance or a short bus/subway ride from campus. The public transportation system in Medford/Somerville and Boston is excellent so you will not need a car to get around Boston.
While our Post-bacc Pre-Health Program primarily focuses on delivering the essential coursework for students' future health profession plans, we are committed to nurturing their success and providing support across multiple domains.
One of the most notable advantages of the Post-bacc Pre-Health Program is the vibrant cohort of fellow post-baccs who will serve as your classmates, collaborators, and support system throughout your rigorous academic journey. Over the past three decades, students have forged lifelong friendships while studying, volunteering, and socializing together at Tufts. Your peers will prove invaluable in your academic pursuits, sharing resources, clarifying complex concepts, and offering encouragement as you work towards your goals.
Tufts University, a prominent research institution, encompasses a highly esteemed undergraduate program alongside schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nutrition, as well as programs in physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health.
Despite its stature, the Medford/Somerville campus cultivates a culture reminiscent of a liberal arts college. All courses are taught by professors who hold weekly office hours, encouraging students to engage in discussions, seek clarification, and express their interests in the material. The Student Accessibility and Academic Resources (StAAR) Center, staffed by trained student tutors, provides a range of services including subject tutoring, study skills coaching, and writing consulting, all free of charge.
While Tufts students are ambitious and diligent, a spirit of collaboration rather than competition prevails among prehealth students. Numerous clubs and organizations have been established to support communities both locally and beyond, reflecting a commitment to mutual assistance and well-being.
Boston's status as a major health hub offers a plethora of opportunities for volunteering, internships, and paid employment in the healthcare sector. While prioritizing their studies, our post-bacc students actively engage in healthcare-related activities to enhance their understanding and credentials.
Top-tier educational institutions like Tufts, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston University, Northeastern, Boston College, and others give Boston the highest student population per capita in the United States.
Beyond healthcare, the Boston community offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Our students delight in exploring Boston's rich culture, many recreational opportunities, and cuisine.
The program maintains a special partnership with Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, providing 2-5 paid clinical research preceptorships annually. Additionally, students gain valuable experience at various healthcare institutions including Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Cambridge Health Alliance, Massachusetts General Hospital, Hospice, Boston Medical Center, McLean Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Tufts University School of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and Winchester Hospital Emergency Room, among others.
Yes. Post-bacc students and applicants who wish to apply for a Federal Direct Loan must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Tip: For Post-bacc Pre-Health students, the grade level is "5th year/other undergraduate" on the FAFSA form (not graduate student).
For purposes of federal financial aid eligibility, Post-bacc Pre-Health students are considered enrolled in "preparatory coursework to enroll in a graduate program." You must be enrolled at least half-time (2 courses per semester minimum). For complete details about the Federal Direct Loan application process, visit Tufts Financial Services.
Most students apply for federal assistance first and then, if necessary, they apply for loans through private sources. Learn more about Alternative and Private Loans.
Many of our students do work while taking classes, but only for a limited number of hours each week. It is not possible to hold a full-time job and even working part-time during the day requires planning since our courses and labs are held during the day. When looking for work, we recommend searching for “per diem” or part-time opportunities.
We recommend that our students work no more than 15 hours per week. Ideally, the job will be in a health-related position (eg: MA, EMT, CNA, PCT, Dialysis Tech, Phlebotomist, ED Tech). This will provide you with additional experience in your chosen field, further enhance your health professions graduate school application, and help you to remain focused on your professional goal. Most of your availability will be on nights and weekends, so working in childcare or at a restaurant could also be a great way to help supplement your income.