Reach your goal to become a physician, dentist, veterinarian or other health care professional.

Duquesne's Pre-Medical and Health Professions Programs (PMHPP) assist both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students in becoming the most competitive applicants possible - helping you to navigate the pre-requisite requirements, multi-tiered admission processes, while also giving you opportunities to learn basic medical skills and identify important experiences to prepare you for your future.

Each year, the number of applications for medical and health professional schools grows exponentially, while the acceptance rates remain consistent, so it's important to take advantage of opportunities that make that process easier - and the PMHPP can help you do that. Competition for admission to professional school is always very intense, but in 2021, the volume of applications to medical and other health professional schools was higher than it has ever been before.

Here's an idea of the competition that you will be facing based upon 2021 data:

  • 53,030 applicants for allopathic (MD) medical school with only 41.9% of applicants accepted to MD school,
  • 30,308 for osteopathic (DO) medical school (acceptance rate 27.3%),
  • 10,965 applicants for dental school in the United States (acceptance rate 57.1%),
  • 27,283 applicants for post-baccalaureate (PB) physician assistant school (41.4% accepted),
  • 8,152 applicants for veterinary medical school (acceptance rate 45.6%), and
  • 1,006 applicants for podiatry school (67.5% accepted).

Not only are there more applicants for admission to medical and other professional schools, but the quality of those applicants also continues to increase. We encourage you to become a part of Duquesne's legacy of success in medicine and health care and enroll in the PMHPP to help you successfully navigate your path to a career in medicine.

Acceptance Rates

92%Acceptance to Medical School

Compared to 37.2% national acceptance

66.7%Acceptance to Dental School

compared to 51.8% national acceptance

100%Acceptance to Professional Physical Therapy school

compared to 53.8% national acceptance

100%Acceptance for Veterinary School

Compared to 50% national acceptance

66.7%Acceptance to Physician Assistant School

compared to 32.6% national acceptance

100%Acceptance to Professional Nursing and Public Health Programs

National acceptance rates are not reported.

Linkage and Early Assurance Agreements

The Duquesne University-Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Preferred Admission Program allows interested Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical & Health Professions (PB-PMHPP) students who intend to apply to PCOM as their top choice for osteopathic medical school to be positioned for preferential Admission Reviews for acceptance into that medical school. Interested PB-PMHPP students must inform the PMHPP of their interest and intent to be considered for this program no later than October 1st of the year that they submit their AACOMAS applications. PCOM then will be notified of all interested PB students and move those students' applications into consideration for priority review. A minimum of three seats are held each year in the PCOM osteopathic medical school class for qualified Duquesne PB-PMHPP students; however, if more seats become available, additional qualified candidates may be considered. PCOM determines whether the Duquesne PB applicants will be accepted into the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Program after both primary and secondary applications are reviewed; the applicants have positive interviews and are accepted by PCOM's Faculty Committee on Admissions.

The Faculty Committee on Admissions at PCOM will consider applicants who meet the following criteria. An applicant must have:

  • Completed all pre-requisite coursework as defined in the PCOM catalog;
  • Earned a >3.5 Cumulative GPA and >3.5 overall science GPA (on the 4.0 grading system) while enrolled in the PB-PMHPP;
  • Earned a total >3.0 Overall Math/Science GPA (UG + PB coursework);
  • Earned a minimum composite score of 504 on the MCAT with a minimum score of 126 on each section of the MCAT;
  • Be a US Citizen or hold Permanent Resident status (green card);
  • Complete the PCOM Secondary Application and pay all appropriate fees;
  • Submit at least three letters of recommendation to the PMHPP Office to be included in the applicant's letter packet; and
  • Be eligible for and receive a Duquesne PMHPP Endorsement letter.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine* located in St. Kitts reserves 3 seats (up to 30 days before the start of each cycle) for each application start (September, January and May) for Duquesne University students enrolled in the PMHPP (Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate). Total time in St. Kitts is 3 years and 4 months. Students then return to either one of the 22 US clinical affiliates or 5 international clinical affiliates to complete their training.

Minimum Application Requirements

  • Overall GPA of at least a 3.2
  • Minimum 3.0 in all RUSVM pre-requisite courses
  • No F, D or D- grade in any RUSVM pre-requisite course
  • A score in the 25th percentile or better in each category of the GRE
  • Other minimum admissions requirements required of all other RUVSM students

Students are required to have all pre-requisite courses done (with the exception of one that could still be in progress) at the time of application.

For Post-Baccalaureate students, undergraduate grades will count towards the overall and science calculations. Students have the option to apply either via VMCAS or directly through the Ross website, but VMCAS GPA calculation rules will still apply. Students are required to obtain a letter of endorsement from the PMHPP to be included with their Ross application. Applicants interested in this program must still meet the minimum admission standards for the PB-PMHPP Certificate.

"Perks" for RUSVM Linkage Agreement

  • RUSVM will allow students to apply to other schools during the same application cycle. This is not an exclusive linkage.
  • RUSVM will give waive application fees for eligible individuals who apply, except where prohibited by law.
  • RUSVM will also give priority consideration for available scholarships to eligible individuals admitted to RUSVM who qualify.

*Admission requirements are subject to change at the discretion of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine or the Philadelphia College of Medicine, and are outside the control of the Pre-Medical and Health Professions Programs. These are competitive programs, and an interview and/or acceptance cannot be guaranteed by Duquesne University. Final acceptance is at the sole discretion of the medical program.

It's time for bigger goals Explore what our program has to offer 

 

Undergraduate Certificate Program

A multi-track post-secondary certificate program, pursued at the same time as your academic major degree program. We will provide you with opportunities that make you stand out.

Undergraduate Secondary Admissions Process

If you are already a Duquesne student but did not apply to our program as a first semester freshman, you may enter through out secondary admission process.

Post-Baccaluareate Certificate Program

A unique, custom-tailored certificate program to meet your specific needs and goals.

Schools of Acceptance

Duquesne PMHPP students are encouraged to seek out and apply to those schools and programs that best fit their interests, skills, abilities, and philosophies. The PMHPP supports and assists all PMHPP students in their selections and admission processes, but has no control or authority over students' decisions. The list below includes all of those schools and programs that have accepted PMHPP students between 2016-2022.

  • University of Maryland
  • University at Buffalo
  • Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Temple University
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Wright State University
  • Ohio State University
  • West Virginia University
  • Marshall University
  • St. George's University
  • Ross University School of Medicine
  • Wayne State University School of Medicine
  • American University of Antigua
  • Harvard University
  • University of Central Florida
  • Drexel University
  • Syracuse University (SUNY Upstate)
  • Howard University
  • University of South Carolina
  • Northeast Ohio University
  • Case Western University
  • University of Virginia
  • Rutgers University
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • University of Alabama Birmingham
  • Philadelphia COM
  • Lake Erie COM (all campuses)
  • Chicago COM
  • West Virginia COM
  • Alabama COM
  • New York Institute of Technology COM
  • Kansas City University COM
  • Des Moines COM
  • Campbell University COM
  • Kentucky COM
  • Ohio University COM
  • Touro University (CA) COM
  • University of New England COM
  • Virginia COM
  • Arkansas COM
  • New York Institute of Technology COM
  • Burrell COM
  • Temple University
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • West Virginia University
  • University of Detroit Mercy
  • Midwestern University
  • New York Medical College
  • University at Buffalo
  • University of New England
  • Western University of Health Sciences
  • Case Western University
  • Lake Erie College of Dental Medicine
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Rutgers University
  • University of Connecticut
  • AT Still University
  • Boston University
  • Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry
  • New England College of Optometry
  • Ohio State University
  • Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
  • University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Midwestern College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Ross University of Veterinary Medicine
  • St. George University
  • Lincoln Memorial University
  • Cornell University
  • Colorado State University
  • University of Florida
  • University of Illinois
  • Christian Brothers University
  • Misericordia University
  • Mercyhurst College
  • Duquesne University
  • University of Dayton
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Lock Haven University of PA
  • University of Charleston
  • Arcadia University
  • Shenandoah University
  • Boston University
  • Chatham University
  • Duquesne University
  • Old Dominion University
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Southern California
  • Washington University
  • West Virginia University
  • New York College of Podiatric Medicine
  • Temple University
  • Kent State University
  • Western University
  • Barry University
  • Gwynedd Mercy University
  • University of New England
  • Carlow University
  • Duquesne University
  • National University of Natural Medicine
  • Purdue University
  • Case Western University
  • Hofstra University
  • Rutgers University
  • Drexel University
  • Peace Corps