There are two types of physicians: M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) and D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). You should examine the similarities and differences in training and practice. For more information about M.D. programs, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC); for more information about D.O. programs, visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).
Exploration of the field is highly encouraged. You can do so by shadowing practitioners and working or volunteering in healthcare settings.
The timeline for application looks different for each student. Current Mizzou students can talk with their MedOpp advisor about their personal timeline and building their candidacy for medical school.
Courses
The following courses* are common requirements for medical school and must be completed before matriculation**:
- One year (8 credit hours) of general chemistry with lab
- One year (8 credit hours) of organic chemistry with lab
- One year (8 credit hours) of physics with lab
- One year (8 credit hours) of biological sciences with lab
- One year (6 credit hours) of English—many schools will accept Mizzou’s English 1000 and a Writing Intensive course
*See Plan of Study for Mizzou course numbers.
** Disclaimer: this list is not necessarily comprehensive. Please consult schools’ websites for exact requirements.
Medical schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for admittance. The MCAT assesses your knowledge of natural and social sciences concepts and your critical thinking and scientific problem-solving skills required to begin the study of medicine. Additional coursework is recommended to fully cover concepts on the MCAT.