Frequently Asked Questions: Pre-Medical and General Science

Is this program suitable for schools or programs other than medical (i.e., dental, PA, PT, veterinary, graduate schools, or similar)?

Yes. “Pre-Med” is an umbrella term. Students in the program are seeking graduate-level health profession programs (medical, dental, veterinary, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health, optometry, etc.). If you want more information on required courses for the schools you are looking into, we recommend you contact their admissions departments or visit their websites for a list of required courses.

Who is this program for?

UCLA Extension’s Pre-Medical and General Sciences Studies Certificate program provides a structured academic background in basic science preparation for students interested in medical studies or other health-related disciplines, including:

Please note that this program caters to individuals resuming their studies either part time or full time. Furthermore, it serves as an avenue for students to make up missed undergraduate classes or improve their GPAs to enhance their appeal to medical school admission boards. Consequently, it is suitable for: 

1. Career Changers (students with minimal science background) 
2. Academic Enhancers (students who have completed numerous science courses previously)

How will these classes impact my undergraduate transcript or GPA?

Your previous transcript(s) will not be rewritten with the new classes you take at UCLA Extension. Rather, when applying to health schools, you will submit your undergraduate transcript(s) and your UCLA Extension transcript.

I completed a majority of the required courses for the certificate program. Do I need to be enrolled in the certificate program to take individual classes?

UCLA Extension is an open-enrollment institution. Thus, it is a great option for Academic Enhancers (students who have completed many or most of the science courses prior). Students do not need to be enrolled in a certificate program to enroll in our courses. Please see how to enroll into your interested course. 

I have taken all of the necessary foundation courses. Do I have academic options at UCLA Extension?

If you have already completed all of your required courses and wish to demonstrate mastery of healthcare-level material for your application, you can email a program representative at hss@uclaextension.edu for more information regarding our 400-level science courses.

Is UCLA Extension Accredited?

Yes. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 

What are the advantages of enrolling in the certificate?

Students can either take individual courses or formally enroll in the certificate. Below are some advantages that are only available to certificate students:
 

• Certificate students can apply for financial aid. Please note, there may be eligibility requirements that must be met. For full information on financial aid options and eligibility requirements, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (310) 825-4246 or at finaid@uclaextension.edu.
• Certificate students are considered UCLA Alumni when they finish the certificate and will receive some certificate student benefits such as free transcripts. 
• Certificate students can get a BruinCard, which can be used to access various student resources, discounts, etc.
• Opt-in participation in the annual Certificate Graduation Ceremony.
• If the certificate is completed, the competition of the certificate program will be noted on the student’s official transcripts. If at the time of completion, the student’s certificate GPA is 3.5 or higher, an “Earned with Distinction” notation is also added to the transcript.
• Access to monthly/quarterly New Student Orientation.

What are the requirements to apply to the program?

The Pre-Medical and General Science Studies Certificate program is an open-enrollment program and does not have a formal application process.

To join the certificate program, please pay the $95 candidacy fee to be automatically enrolled into the program using this link. There is no requirement to be enrolled in the certificate program in order to take courses, but students need to be certificate candidates to have the certificate noted on their transcripts and awarded.
 

When should I apply?

You may enroll in the certificate program and start courses at any time in the year (any of the four quarters per academic year) during the enrollment period of that specific quarter. There is no requirement to enroll in the certificate to get started. However, the certificate requirements are subject to change, so enrolling earlier may allow you to complete your certificate requirements so that you are not subject to possible future changes.

Can international students apply?

International students are welcome to apply for the certificate program, however a special application process is required.  Learn more about the International Student application process.  

How long do I have to complete the certificate program? Is there a deadline?

Students have three years to fully complete the certificate requirements between their first and final (12th) course. Generally, full-time students can take two to three courses per quarter, whereas students with full-time jobs typically can manage one to two courses per quarter. Therefore, if you divide the 12 required courses by the number of courses you will take per quarter, you should have an idea of how long your studies will take. Typically, students can finish the program within two years, though students are allowed three years to complete the certificate.

Can I transfer prior credits into the certificate program for certificate credit?

If you are thinking about transferring credits/courses, please consider that upon petition, equivalent courses taken in the last three years at other accredited institutions may fulfill requirements for two of the twelve required courses. For a review of course acceptability, a transcript and syllabus of each course are required. Please note, you have three years to complete all the classes used for the certificate; therefore, if you choose to apply for classes taken previously at another school, your three-year period would begin then, leaving you with less time to complete your UCLA Extension classes.

Do I need to repeat courses I have already taken to fulfill the certificates requirements?

If you only want to take courses that will help you prepare for medical school, rather than focusing on the certificate requirements, you do not need to repeat the courses you have already taken in your other undergraduate studies. However, please be advised that most health schools have an expiration period on courses taken by applicants, and often the expiration period for undergraduate courses is 5-7 or 7-10 years. 

How do I apply or enroll?

UCLA Extension is an open institution, we do not require supplemental documentation, letters of recommendation, GPA or transcript information to apply.

For the Pre-Medical and General Science Studies Certificate, you can apply to and establish candidacy at any time (Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter Quarter). For this certificate, students may also enroll in courses at any time without having first established candidacy, and the courses taken pre-candidacy would count toward the program should you choose to enroll.

Establishing candidacy means:

• You have paid the certificate candidacy fee ($95)
• We have approved your application (typically within one week of applying)

How to Apply for the Pre-Medical and General Science Studies Certificate:

1. Go to the Pre-Medical and General Science Studies Certificate page.
2. Click the “Apply Now” button.
3. Select “Checkout” when ready and either log in (for current students) or create your student profile (for new students).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

You will receive a welcome email with the next steps from UCLA Extension within 7-10 business days of applying.

Please keep in mind that students in the program have three years, from the first quarter of their first class to complete the certificate.

For more detailed information on how to apply, please refer to the instructions listed here.

If you are an international student, then please refer to the instructions listed here. 

For instructions on how to enroll in your interested course, please follow the instructions listed here. 

Are the courses on the quarter-system or semester-system?

Similar to UCLA, UCLA Extension courses run on the quarter system. It is most helpful to think about courses in terms of what one year of a course equals. In the semester system, it is common to have lecture + lab as one course and then lecture + lab as another course which equals one year of a discipline. With the 11-week quarter system, UCLA, and thus UCLA Extension, divides up the coursework slightly differently (for example Chem XL 14A + 14B + 14BL = one year of general chem with a lab), however, it still equals one year of a discipline.
 

Please Note: When professional schools ask for "two semesters of general/inorganic chemistry with a lab" they are asking for one year of general/inorganic chemistry with a lab.
 

When do courses start? When can I enroll?

Please visit our calendar for more information.

How do the courses translate into a semester system?

It is most helpful to think about courses in terms of what one year of a course equals. The following outlines how the courses (listed on the recommended Pre-Medical and General Science Studies Certificate) would generally equate to those on a semester-based system:

One year of General Chemistry with Lab:

• CHEM XL 14A General Chemistry for Life Scientists I
• CHEM XL 14B General Chemistry for Life Scientists II
• CHEM XL 14BL General and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
  • 14BL is a lab that covers material from CHEM XL 14A and CHEM XL 14B

One year of Organic Chemistry with Lab:

• CHEM  XL 14C Structure of Organic Molecules
• CHEM  XL 14CL General and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
  • 14CL is the lab that covers material from CHEM XL 14C and CHEM XL 14D
• CHEM  XL 14D Organic Reactions and Pharmaceuticals

One year of Biochemistry (Upper-Division):

• CHEM XL 153A Biochemistry: Introduction to Structure, Enzymes, and Metabolism
• CHEM XL 153B Biochemistry: DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
• CHEM XL 153C Biochemistry: Biosynthetic and Energy Metabolism and Its Regulation
• No lab offered for this series

One year of Biology/Life Sciences with Lab:

• LIFESCI XL 7A Cell and Molecular Biology
• LIFESCI XL 7B Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology
• LIFESCI XL 7C Physiology and Human Biology
• LIFESCI XL 7L Introduction to Laboratory and Scientific Methodology
• Note: LIFESCIXL 7L is the lab for all the lectures listed above. 

One year of Physics with Lab:

• PHYSICS XL 5A Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Mechanics and Energy
  • Both lecture and lab
• PHYSICS XL 5B Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Thermodynamics, Fluids, Waves, Light, and Optics
  • Both lecture and lab
• PHYSICS XL 5C Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Electricity, Magnetism, and Modern Physics
  • Both lecture and lab

One year of Calculus:

• MATH XL 31A Introduction to Calculus
• MATH XL 31B Integration and Infinite Series

One semester of Statistics:

• STATS XL 10 Introduction to Statistical Reasoning or STATS XL 13 Introduction to Statistical Methods for Life and Health Sciences
  • Note: Do not complete both courses.

We strongly recommend students verify the above equivalency information with the school(s) to which they are applying since each school’s requirements are different.

Does the program offer upper-division science courses?

You can view the complete list of all math and sciences courses we offer here.
Courses coded XL 1-199 are lower division
Courses coded XL 100-199 are upper division
Courses coded X-400 are post-baccalaureate 
For more information about course codes, click here.

Are XL-level courses the same as those offered at main-campus UCLA?

All of our XL-level courses, which are our certificate courses, are equivalent to those offered at UCLA's main campus. For example, our Chemistry XL 14A course will be “Chemistry 14A” on main campus.

What is the difference between XL- and X-level courses?

The difference between XL and X-level courses is that XL-level courses are academically equivalent to undergraduate-level, degree-credit courses currently being offered to undergraduates at UCLA’s main campus. For this reason, most, if not all, XL-level courses are accepted by graduate programs and other professional schools for transfer and/or prerequisite credit.

X-level courses are, however, created by UCLA Extension in collaboration with the main campus department to offer students a deeper dive into the subject area.

More information about XL and X-level courses can be found here.

Are classes offered online, remote or in person?

The instruction method available for each course is listed on the course registration page. For more detailed information on all instruction methods offered at UCLA Extension, please refer to the information listed here.

 
When do classes meet?

Most of our students are working or volunteering full-time or part-time during the day, so the majority of our courses are scheduled Monday-Friday after 6 p.m. PT and Saturday mornings. Please note that this may be subject to change.
 

Where do classes meet?

The majority of our courses are held on UCLA's main campus during evenings and weekends. Some classes that meet outside of UCLA are the CHEM XL 14BL, CHEM XL 14CL, and MIMG XL 100L courses, which are laboratory courses. These lab courses will meet at Santa Monica College, which is located a few miles west of UCLA. Additional sections may also be offered at one of our satellite locations such as Downtown LA.

Please visit the following link for more information about parking.

Are classes held with UCLA students?

All UCLA Extension courses are composed of almost exclusively UCLA Extension students. You will not be in class with the main-campus matriculated students (undergraduates). UCLA Extension courses are not held with the regular courses on UCLA main campus.

How large are the classes?

Class sizes vary based on seats available for the course. Typically, intro-level lecture classes have a higher enrollment amount, with an average of 30-50 students, which is smaller than taking such a course as an undergraduate student. Some classes will have as few as 25 seats for enrollment. Courses that have a lab aspect built into the curriculum typically have limited seating to meet safety regulations.

Who are UCLA Extension's instructors?

All XL-level course instructors are only hired after they have undergone an extensive selection process, which includes having both main-campus UCLA and the Academic Senate’s approval to teach.

Where can I find the course's textbook information?

Review the “See details” area of the selected course section for textbook information.

What courses should I start with?

If you are thinking of starting our certificate program and have never taken math or science courses, we strongly advise students to have a firm grasp on calculus before enrolling in other science courses such as chemistry and physics. A first-quarter course plan typically looks like this:

CHEM XL 14A - General Chemistry for Life Scientists I

LIFESCI XL 7A - Cell and Molecular Biology

Or a math course

How do I know my math proficiency level?

Because most of the courses require a base knowledge of calculus, you may want to start off taking either Math XL 1 (Precalculus) or Math XL 31A (Calculus Part I).

If you are unsure where you stand at your mathematics level, the following courses offer a preliminary examination that students must complete before enrolling in the courses below:

• MATH XL 1 - Precalculus
• MATH XL 31A - Differential and Integral Calculus
• PHYSICS XL 5A - Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Mechanics and Energy

This mandatory preliminary examination does not count toward your grade. The mandatory exam is merely a diagnostic tool designed to help you determine what mathematics course level is appropriate for you.

How should I plan my schedule?

We suggest students move sequentially in the chemistry, physics, mathematics and life sciences series.

Furthermore, since chemistry is the most extensive of the academic disciplines (the general, organic and biochemistry series total nine individual courses), it will take the most time to complete. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to start the chemistry sequence as soon as possible and take at least one chemistry course each quarter to complete the courses as efficiently as possible. Students can take the lab 14BL with or after 14B, and the lab 14CL with or after 14C.

Regarding the other disciplines, it is recommended that once a student starts a sequence, the student should complete the series by taking each course consecutively. Doing so may give the student the best opportunity for success in completing the series.

For example, if you choose to start the physics series alongside chemistry, we recommend that you take Physics XL 5A, 5B and 5C in three consecutive quarters. If you choose to skip a few quarters between 5A and 5B, you may lose a significant amount of information you gathered from 5A once you start 5B and may have a more difficult time keeping up with the material in 5B. Please note, this is just a suggestion and by no means must you follow these guidelines.
 

Is there a minimum number of courses I can take?

The number of courses a student may take depends on the student’s ability to handle heavy workloads with rigorous material. Furthermore, some of the courses’ schedules may overlap, meaning that time conflicts may limit the number (or selection) of courses one can take per quarter. Generally, full-time students (students who are not working or who work limited hours) can take three courses per quarter, whereas students with full-time jobs typically manage a maximum of two courses per quarter.

There is no minimum number of courses you must take per quarter unless you are receiving financial aid or if you are an international student. If you are receiving financial aid or are an international student, there will be a minimum course requirement. Please check with the Financial Aid Office or International Student Office for specific requirements.

Can I enroll in overlapping courses?

No. Overlapping courses do not qualify students for a make-up quiz as this is a foreseeable conflict when signing up for the course(s).

Is there guaranteed enrollment?

Enrollment is open for all students on the designated enrollment opening date for each quarter; no students are given priority enrollment. We recommend that students stay aware of when enrollment opens for upcoming quarters and enroll early during the enrollment period to have a better chance at getting into their desired classes.

Can we hold enrollment seats?

Due to policy, we are not able to hold seats for students. Students must pay for the course in full in order to secure a seat.

What is our course's waitlist policy?

Students are able to add themselves to a waitlist at no cost. Waitlists are managed by our department and follow a strict first-come, first-served policy. You will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to enroll if a spot becomes available for you.

Are any students given priority enrollment?

All UCLA Extension courses are composed of only UCLA Extension students. Enrollment opens on the scheduled day every quarter to everyone (including non-certificate students) at the same time and there is no priority enrollment.

How can I enroll in courses?

Follow the instructions by using the following link. 

What courses do you need to take to apply to medical school?

If you are planning on applying to medical schools or other pre-health related fields, please be sure to visit this link. 

How will medical or graduate schools evaluate and weigh the courses I take at UCLA Extension?

These courses are UCLA undergraduate equivalent and are seen as such. If you have questions on how UCLA Extension courses will be evaluated by medical school(s), especially if you are planning on re-taking courses for better grades, please contact the transcript auditor or transcript evaluators at your desired medical school admissions department for information on how they evaluate courses and transcripts. Because each school has specific standards for evaluating coursework and academic portfolios, it is best to contact them directly and inquire about their criteria.

How will re-taken courses appear on UCLA Extension transcripts?

The grades you receive for these UCLA Extension courses will only be reflected on your UCLA Extension transcript and will have no impact on any past grades. Your UCLA Extension transcript will be completely separate from any other academic record.
 
In the past, the grades may have been averaged out or only the higher grade may be considered, but this is all based on the transcript-evaluating practices of the medical schools at which you are looking to apply. Please note that our transcripts do not list the course’s instruction method. If you want further information on how your grades will be evaluated and quantified, please contact the various admissions departments of the medical schools to which you are applying.

Does UCLA Extension link its students to the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine?

UCLA Extension does not directly work with or refer students to the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. Students must apply to the Geffen School of Medicine independently. For information on applying to the Geffen School of Medicine, please visit their admissions website.

What are the success rates of your students who go on to medical school?

Because students come here from various academic backgrounds and have different health school goals, we do not have a mechanism in place that tracks students’ activities after they complete the program. We do not have formal statistics on students that have gone on to medical school.

How can I schedule a one-one-one appointment with an advisor?

It is recommended that prospective students attend The Pre-Medical and General Sciences Certificate Virtual Open House. 

For new certificate students, we host a new student orientation. The information for how to register is linked in your welcome letter. 

All students may also attend a Bi-Weekly Q&A Session hosted by one of our counselors and a program representative. 
 

You may also email your questions or request to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a program representative at hss@uclaextension.edu.
 

What is the estimated tuition?

The estimated tuition, including books and materials, is about $17,000 for the 12-course certificate program. If you are looking to take more than 12 courses, the estimated tuition will be significantly more—estimated around $27,000. Please note, these figures are estimates of the total cost and fees are subject to change, especially if you plan to complete the program over several years.

The course fees are to be paid on a per-course basis upon registration. Course fees are due in full at the time of enrollment.

Are course fees higher for out-of-state students?

No, the course fees are the same for all students, regardless of their residence status.

Is financial aid available?

The Pre-Medical and General Science Studies Certificate is approved for the Guaranteed Student Loan Program and will assist post-baccalaureate students who are completing medical or other health-related studies to become eligible for financial aid, which is not usually available to students who have already completed undergraduate degrees. Please keep in mind that only certificate students are eligible to apply for financial aid.
 

For further information on loan options, contact the Financial Aid Office

Veterans who are eligible for financial aid through the G.I. bill can get more information from the Financial Aid Office, as well.

For more information on various available programs, please visit the Financial Aid website.

Are there any discounts on fees? 

Many UCLA Extension courses have promotions and discounts. For more information, please visit the discounts website. Please note, some courses are not eligible for discounts. XL-level courses are not eligible for discounts during summer quarters.

How can I get a refund for a course?

All courses have a final refund date deadline by which you can receive a full refund. Please check your enrollment confirmation receipt for the refund date of the course. Furthermore, some courses have special refund policies, which are also outlined in the section description as well as your enrollment confirmation receipt.

More information on the institutional refund policy can be found here.

Can I get a refund for a course past the final refund date?

For information on petitioning for a refund past the final refund deadline, please refer to the institutional refund policy found here.

How can I request exam accommodations?

Accommodations are personalized to meet the needs of each UCLA Extension student based on the information specified in their current, verifiable medical documentation. Please visit the following link for more information.

How can I request a make-up exam?

If enrolled, please refer to the Make-up Exam Policy listed in your course syllabus.

Does UCLA Extension provide housing?

No, students must secure their own housing. For more information, please refer to the information listed here. 

Do UCLA Extension students have library access?

Please refer to the information listed here for more details.

Does UCLA have a security walking escort service?

For students taking classes held on the UCLA campus and in and around Westwood Village, the UCLA Police Department provides a free security walking escort service every day of the year from dusk until 1 a.m. PT. Community Service Officers (CSOs) are available to walk students, faculty, staff members and visitors to and from anywhere on campus, in Westwood Village and the village apartments. CSOs are uniformed students who have received special training and are employed by the UCLA Police Department.

To obtain a security escort, please call (310) 794-9255 and allow 15 to 20 minutes for your security escort to arrive.

For complete information, please refer to the information provided at police.ucla.edu/cso

Who do I contact for Canvas technical issues?

Please refer to the information about Canvas support here.