Medical Professionals Program
About Us
If you are pursuing a career in medicine and you are unsure of where to start, you are in the right place! The Medical Professionals Program is a pre-medical pathway program designed to supports students pursuing graduate-level careers in medicine, including physicians (MD/DO), dentists, optometrists, veterinarians, physician assistants, and other health-related fields.
Mission
The mission of the Medical Professional Program is to provide students a centralized community with access to resources, educational workshops, clinical research positions, internships, and mentorship opportunities. We aim to promote continuous improvement of skills, student resilience, and preparedness for pursuing graduate-level healthcare careers. We are committed to helping students explore various medical career paths and equip them with the tools they need to succeed in their journey toward medical school or other healthcare graduate programs.
Goal
Our goal is to empower students to become successful applicants for graduate-level healthcare programs. Through a holistic approach, we ensure students develop academic excellence, compassion, leadership, and teamwork, while gaining the necessary experience and knowledge to thrive in their chosen medical field.
Student Benefits
The Medical Professionals Program offers students a variety of benefits, including:
- Exploration of diverse medical careers
- Professional development workshops
- Guidance through completion of pathway to medicine
- Mentorship from medical professionals
- Exposure to medical school admissions
- Access to pre-medical resources
- Hands-on clinical and research experience
- Support for transfer and medical school applications
- Field trips and conferences
- Free printing services and study materials
- Discounted MCAT prep courses (Coming soon!)
- Pearson Vue Certified Testing Center at BC (Coming soon!)
These student benefits enhance the overall program and ensure that students have the resources, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to pursue a successful career in medicine.
Program Participation
Target Students
The Medical Professionals Program is for new and current Bakersfield College students interested in pursuing medical careers at the graduate level, such as:
- Medical Doctor (MD or DO)
- Dentist
- Veterinarian
- Optometrist
- Pharmacist
- Physician Assistant
- Medical/Clinical Research (PhD)
or other fields in medicine requiring the completion of a Bachelor's degree and graduate medical program.
This program is not designed to support students pursuing careers in the allied health fields, such as nurses, medical assistants, radiologic technicians, phlebotomists, dental hygienists, x-ray technicians, or veterinary technicians.
Application Process
Students interested in participating in the Medical Professionals Program must:
1. Complete the Student Interest Form
2. Meet with their Academic Pathway Counselor
3. Meet with the Program Manager of the Medical Professionals Program
Bianca Garibay, Program Manager
bianca.garibay@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Program Requirements
Students in the program must meet the following requirements before being able to participate in an educational field trip, medical conference, or consideration for select opportunities:
- Meet with their Pathway Counselor to discuss academic and career goals in medicine every semester
- Create a Student Education Plan with their Pathway Counselor that includes the recommended and required coursework for their academic and career goals
- Work with the Program Manager of the Medical Professionals Program every semester to discuss career goals, receive professional development, access resources, and explore clinical, research, and volunteer opportunities
- Strive to meet personal goals set by the program and maintain a desirable GPA
- Participate in at least three Medical Professionals Program activities each semester
Preparing for a Career in Medicine
Academic Preparation
Academic preparation is a critical step in your journey to medical school or other graduate-level medical programs. While medical schools typically require a bachelor's degree, you can major in any discipline. However, most medical schools share a common set of general course requirements, including biology, chemistry, math, and physics.
Below is a list of general course requirements for medical programs and the corresponding courses at Bakersfield College.
| General Requirement | BC Corresponding Course |
|---|---|
|
1 Year (2 Semesters) of Biology with Lab |
|
|
1 Year (2 Semesters) of General Chemistry with Lab |
|
|
1 Year (2 Semesters) of Organic Chemistry with Lab |
|
|
1 Year (2 Semesters) of Physics |
|
|
At least 1 Semester of Calculus |
|
Please note that additional course requirements may vary depending on the specific medical career you're pursuing, your transfer university, and the graduate medical school you intend to attend.
To ensure you're on track, students are required to meet with their pathway's academic advisor to review their education plan and confirm they are meeting all the necessary course requirements.
AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)
For detailed information on the specific admission requirements for individual medical schools, we encourage students to explore the AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements report (MSAR).
AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) Report webpage
Pathways for Medical Careers
Kern County faces a critical shortage of medical professionals, with a lack of primary care physicians and specialists contributing to the strain on local healthcare systems. This shortage impacts patient care and forces many to rely on emergency departments for basic medical needs. To address these challenges, creating pathways for local students to pursue medical careers is essential. By offering educational opportunities, mentorship, and partnerships with local hospitals, we aim to cultivate a new generation of medical professionals who are committed to serving and staying in Kern County. This approach will help bridge the healthcare gap and improve care for our community.
Pathways for Bakersfield College Students
The Medical Professionals Program is actively creating and expanding pathways to careers in medicine.
The current pathways for Bakersfield College include:
- Linkage Agreement with CSU Bakersfield to Western University of Health Science, College of Osteopathic Medicine for BC transfer students
- Coming Soon! Admissions Pathway with BC's Research Laboratory Technology Baccalaureate program to Western University of Health Science, Medical Science M.S. Program
Roadmap to Medical Careers
Each person's journey and experience to a career in medicine is different. Talk with your pathway's academic advisor to create a plan that works best for you and your medical career of interest.
Workshops and Events
Workshops and events are tailored to meet the needs and interests of students while providing medical career exploration, career planning, professional development, and opportunities to network with professionals within the medical field.
Please see the STEM Events webpage for upcoming events with the Medical Professionals Program.
Student Resources
Below are services and resources for students – whether it be ordering official transcripts from Admission and Records, tutoring for STEM courses, or simple “How to” instructions – BC has you covered.
- BC Services and Resources
- Counseling and Advising
- Transfer Pathways
- STEM Program
- Renegade Nexus
- Student Health and Wellness Center
Helpful Links
