At FVCC, students are able to complete the first two years of most pre-medicine professional programs. Pre-medical studies can include dentistry, medicine, optometry, podiatry, and several other associated fields. Given the wide range of pre-medical programs and their requirements, it is crucial for students to initiate and maintain close contact with advisors and institutions to which they anticipate transferring.
Medical schools often accept a wide range of bachelor degrees from four-year colleges or universities. The course of study suggested below for pre-medicine is a program designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year college or university and to prepare students for success on medical school entrance examinations.
Montana does not have a medical school. However, in addition to medical school opportunities outside the state, Montana residents are served by the WWAMI (“whammy”) program. WWAMI is a partnership between the University of Washington School of Medicine and the state of Montana. After completing their bachelor’s degree, students in the program spend their first year of medical school at Montana State University – Bozeman’s WWAMI site. Tuition paid by Montana students in the program is the same as that paid by Washington state residents. Students wishing to obtain additional information regarding the WWAMI program should go to www.montana.edu/wwwwami/.
Pre-chiropractic students may also follow the suggested course of study for pre-medicine. However, additional humanities, social sciences, and fine arts courses are typically required for entrance to a chiropractic school. Pre-chiropractic students should work closely with advisors to ensure all entrance requirements are met.
Pre-physician assistant students applying to Rocky Mountain College’s PA program should be aware that students must complete one year minimum full-time hands-on health care experience with direct patient contact prior to applying for admission into the program.