St. Lawrence Launches New Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program
St. Lawrence University has launched a new post-baccalaureate pre-med program that will support college graduates who have a newfound interest in the medical field or who want a competitive edge in preparing for medical school.
With an emphasis on hands-on learning in the North Country, eligible students will complete Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and 120 hours of clinical experience at a local facility after completing pre-requisite courses for medical school or upper-level science courses to strengthen their medical school application.
“Students interested in this program should have a strong sense of the role of a healthcare provider–connecting with the individual while also focusing on their health needs and taking a holistic view of medicine,” said Associate Professor of Biology and Program Coordinator Kari Heckman.
While the program may have “pre-med” in its name, Heckman says students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a variety of disciplines will be supported by the rigorous curriculum.
“We have a very strong set of advisors at St. Lawrence to support those who are interested in changing careers or looking for a way to enhance their education,” said Heckman. “We welcome students interested in pre-med and those who are interested in completing coursework to become a physician’s assistant, physical therapist, or pursue dental school.”
A unique offering of the program is St. Lawrence’s Foundations of Medicine course series that provides students with a holistic sense of the healthcare system through workshops and MCAT preparation.
The post-baccalaureate pre-med program is a result of Experience St. Lawrence: The Task Force on Institutional Structure, Policy, and Planning, which was created in December 2019 with the charge of reimagining a liberal arts education in the 21st century and recommending a pathway to position St. Lawrence as a leader among its peers for decades to come.
In addition to Heckman, other faculty and staff who helped develop the program include Professor of Biology and Psychology Ana Estevez, Professor of Biology Joe Erlichman, and Biology Academic Support Specialist Jane Kring.
Application review for the program will occur on a rolling basis from March 1 through May 1, 2022.
