Academic Prerequisites

Overview 

Each of the MEDEX prerequisite courses must be taken as a “standalone” course, separate from any prior certificate training or professional degree program.  

Courses can be taken at any regionally accredited community college or university for a letter grade or grade on a 4.0 scale. This may include some college courses completed online, but applicants should check the accreditation status of the online institution before registering for courses.  

Each prerequisite course must be completed with a B- (2.7) or better (per course).  

All MEDEX prerequisite coursework must be completed by the application deadline.  

• Prerequisite courses taken autumn quarter, completed after the application deadlines, will not be considered when evaluating prerequisites.  

• Coursework planned for spring or summer quarter of the upcoming year will not be accepted.  

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last 2 years (90 quarter or 60 semester credits) of coursework  

• A baccalaureate degree must be completed at a regionally accredited institution and conferred by December 31stof the year in which an application is submitted.  

• MEDEX is not requiring GRE scores for the 2023-2024 application cycle. Please provide if available. Scores will not be considered in the application process and will be for internal programmatic data-tracking only. 

• Advanced Placement courses will not meet MEDEX Science and Statistics prerequisites. MEDEX Science and Statistics prerequisites must be taken at the college level. AP Coursework can be used to meet only the MEDEX English requirements when it appears on a college transcript.  

• International Baccalaureate (IB) English credits may be applied towards the MEDEX English prerequisites. 

• Prerequisite science course should ideally be completed within the last five (5) to seven (7) years. There is no timeline for the English and Statistics courses. When considering prerequisites, MEDEX uses the most recent qualifying course with the best grade.    

• English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Please visit the UW Graduate School Policy 3.2: Graduate school English Language Proficiency Requirements for more information. Applicants choosing to demonstrate English proficiency with TOEFL must send their official scores to CASPA by the application deadline using the ETS Code #3709. The minimum score accepted on the TOEFL iBT test is a 92. 

Required: 

Two (2) Human Anatomy & Physiology courses – 10 quarter/6 semester credits  

A competitive Human Anatomy & Physiology course should cover the structure and function of the human body. A comprehensive study will provide an in-depth knowledge of the skeletal, muscular, integumentary, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and nervous systems specific to the human body.  

Common courses that meet MEDEX Human A&P prerequisites:  

• Human Anatomy & Physiology (combined or taken separately)  

• Anatomy & Physiology for Health Professions  

• Gross & Micro Anatomy/Physiology  

Common courses that do not meet MEDEX Human A&P prerequisites:  

• Mammalian Anatomy & Physiology  

• Vertebrate Anatomy & Physiology  

• Comparative Anatomy & Physiology  

• Animal Anatomy & Physiology  

• Exercise Anatomy (Kinesiology)  

• Exercise Physiology  

One (1) General Biology course – 5 quarter/3 semester credits  

A competitive General Biology course should cover cell processes and structure, genetics, molecular biology, metabolism, and energetics. Please note: Human Biology courses will only be considered if the course is not a survey Human Anatomy & Physiology course.  

Common courses that meet MEDEX General Biology prerequisites:  

• General Biology  

• Cellular Biology  

• Molecular Biology  

• Medical Biology  

• Biology for Health Sciences  

Common courses that do not meet MEDEX General Biology prerequisites:  

• Animal, Marine, Plant, or Organismal Biology  

• Environmental Biology  

• Nutrition  

• Genetics  

• Pathophysiology, Immunology, or Epidemiology  

• Endocrinology or Hematology  

• Biochemistry  

• Anatomy & Physiology  

• Microbiology  

• Life Sciences  

• Behavioral & Social Sciences  

One (1) Microbiology course – 5 quarter/3 semester credits  

A competitive Microbiology course should cover the medical aspects of microbial cell structure and function, including their roles in health and disease. Study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites should be included. An understanding of transmission, immunity, response, control and prevention will be covered in a comprehensive Microbiology course curriculum.  

Common courses that meet MEDEX Microbiology prerequisites:  

• General Microbiology  

• Medical Microbiology  

• Microbiology for Health Professions  

• Biology of microorganisms  

Common courses that do not meet MEDEX Microbiology prerequisites:  

• Bacteriology  

• Cell/Molecular Biology  

• Pathophysiology, Immunology, Endocrinology, or Hematology  

• Life Sciences  

• Genetics  

One (1) Chemistry course – 5 quarter/3 semester credits  

A competitive Chemistry course should cover chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding, equilibrium, and acid/bases. Organic Chemistry courses should cover the structure, nomenclature, and synthesis of organic compounds. Biochemistry courses should cover chemical events in living systems, including proteins, enzymes, DNA, and metabolism.  

Common courses that meet MEDEX Chemistry prerequisites:  

• General Chemistry  

• Organic Chemistry  

• Inorganic Chemistry  

• Biochemistry  

• Chemical Concepts  

Common courses that do not meet MEDEX Chemistry prerequisites:  

• Chemistry of Nutrition  

• Independent Research in Chemistry  

• General/Cellular/Molecular Biology  

• Human Structure and Function  

• Genetics  

One (1) Statistics course – 5 quarter/3 semester credits  

A competitive Statistics course should cover probability, descriptive methods, sampling, inferences, interpreting data, hypothesis testing, and regression.  

Common courses that meet MEDEX Statistics prerequisites:  

• Principles of Statistical Reasoning  

• Biostatistics  

• Research Methods  

• Quantitative Methods  

• Statistics for Psychology  

• Statistics for the Health Professions  

• Applied Statistics  

Common courses that do not meet MEDEX Statistics prerequisites:  

• Calculus  

• Algebra  

• General Mathematics  

Two (2) English courses – 10 quarter/6 semester credits  

Must include one composition course. Competitive English courses should focus on the instruction of writing, including critical reading and writing, expository writing, grammar, rhetoric, and analysis of research or literature. Courses should be completed in an English or Writing department. Courses with a large writing component that are not specifically in the instruction of writing or in the English department are unlikely to be considered as meeting MEDEX English prerequisites.  

Common courses that meet MEDEX English prerequisites:  

• College Writing  

• Composition  

• Rhetoric and Grammar  

• Expository Writing  

• Essay Writing  

• Research Writing  

• Technical Writing  

• Literature (Not considered Composition)  

• Advanced Placement (AP) Composition, Language, or Literature  

Courses that may meet MEDEX English prerequisites IF there is significant research, theory, analysis and writing of an extensive paper:  

• Behavioral and Social Sciences   

• Humanities  

• Science Writing   

Common courses that do not meet MEDEX English prerequisites:  

• English as a Second Language  

• Medical Terminology  

• History  

• Speech/Communication  

• Film, Theater, or Drama Studies  

Recommended Courses for Competitive Applications  

• Biochemistry  

• Genetics  

• Social Sciences (Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology)  

 

UW Graduate School  

Do not apply to the UW Graduate School at this time. If accepted to MEDEX, you will then be asked to apply to the UW Graduate School. MEDEX will provide instructions about how and when to apply through Graduate Enrollment Management Services in an official acceptance packet.  

Be sure to review the MEDEX Northwest clinical experience prerequisites that all applicants must complete in addition to the academic prerequisites listed above.