Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program
About the Program
If you can picture yourself in medicine, the Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program is where that future begins to take shape. Designed for college students, recent graduates, and post-baccalaureate learners, this program gives you direct access to medical science, research, and clinical practice through courses taught by Harvard Medical School faculty. Whether you are drawn to the science behind patient care, curious about medical research, or preparing for the road ahead in medical school, you can explore it here, on your own schedule, from anywhere in the world.
18+
Open to college students, recent graduates, and post-baccalaureate learners
9
Courses across 2 different course types
100 percent
Online and self-paced
What Is the Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program?
The Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program is an online program built entirely around medicine and medical science, designed to help you build a genuine understanding of the medical field, the science that underpins it, and what a future in medicine or health care actually looks like.
You can choose from two types of courses: Capstone Courses and Academic Enrichment Courses. Capstone Courses are project-based courses that put your knowledge to work. You will explore real-world medical challenges and build the kind of applied thinking that medicine demands, concluding each course with a final project that demonstrates what you have learned.
Academic Enrichment Courses go deep into the core scientific disciplines that form the foundation of medicine, covering subjects such as genetics, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, and immunology. These courses conclude with a final exam that tests your understanding of the material. You can take one course or several, mixing Capstone and Academic Enrichment Courses based on where your interests lead you.
No matter which courses you choose, you will have access to video lessons taught by Harvard Medical School faculty, guidance from a mentor, and a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School upon finishing each course.
Who Is This Program For?
This program is designed for college students, recent graduates, and post-baccalaureate learners who are considering a future in medicine and want to start building real knowledge in the field. It is a great fit if you:
- Are exploring a future in medicine, research, surgery, or another health care field and want to see what that path really involves.
- Are preparing for medical school and want to strengthen your foundation before you apply.
- Want to earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School that reflects your commitment to the field.
- Need a flexible, self-paced program that fits around your coursework, job, or other commitments.
How Does the Program Work?
Courses are built around video lessons taught by Harvard Medical School faculty, bringing medical science to life through real-world examples and interactive assignments. You can watch lessons at any time and work through assignments at your own pace, entirely online. Throughout each course, a mentor is available to answer your questions, provide guidance, and help you engage more deeply with the material.
Capstone Courses conclude with a final project where you apply what you have learned to a real-world medical challenge. Academic Enrichment Courses conclude with a 90-minute final exam that tests your understanding of the subject. Upon successful completion of either course type, you will earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School.
There are no required live sessions, so you can engage with the program on your own terms, no matter how busy your schedule is. Most courses take approximately 30 hours of instruction and activities to complete, giving you room to plan your pace around your other commitments.
What Courses are Available?
All nine courses are focused exclusively on medicine and medical science, spanning two course types. Capstone Courses are designed for students who want to apply their knowledge to real-world medical challenges. Academic Enrichment Courses are designed for students who want to build a foundation in a specific medical science discipline. You can take individual courses or bundle them together to build a broader understanding of the field. Current courses include:
How To Apply:
Our application process is straightforward. Tell us why you are interested in medicine and how this program can help you on your medical journey. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided application process. It should take only a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Individual course fees range from $1,895 for Academic Enrichment Courses to $2,195 for Capstone Courses. Need-based scholarships are available for students who qualify.
Most courses involve approximately 30 hours of instruction and activities, including videos, quizzes, and assignments. Since the format is self-paced, you can spread that time out in whatever way fits your schedule. Academic Enrichment Courses conclude with a 90-minute final exam, while Capstone Courses conclude with a final project that you complete by the end of your course session.
Yes. You are encouraged to take multiple courses to build a broader and deeper understanding of medicine and medical science. Course bundles are also available for students who want to take several courses together at once. The flexible, self-paced format makes it easy to take more than one course without conflicting with your job, coursework, or other commitments.
No. The Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program does not offer college credit. Upon successful completion of each course, you earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School, which can be a meaningful addition to graduate school applications and resumes.
If you are interested in a credit-bearing, post-baccalaureate program, visit the Harvard Extension School Premedical Program site here.
Capstone Courses are project-based and focused on applying your knowledge to real-world medical challenges. They conclude with a final project that demonstrates what you have learned. Academic Enrichment Courses are subject-focused and designed to build a strong foundational understanding of a specific medical science discipline. They conclude with a final exam that tests your understanding of the material. Both course types include mentor guidance and a certificate of completion from Harvard Medical School.
The program is open to college students, recent graduates, and post-baccalaureate learners ages 18 and older who are considering a future in medicine or health care.
Yes. Need-based scholarships are available for students who demonstrate high potential and an inability to pay full tuition. You can apply for a scholarship during or after the application process.
