Explore Physician
Post-baccalaureate degree: MD or DO
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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.
See also:
- Academic and Career Information for Allopathic Physician (PDF)
- Academic and Career Information for Osteopathic Physician (PDF)
On this page:
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) - Online MCAT registration
- MCAT Prep Courses
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