MHSA – Steps to Apply – Prerequisites
Documentation of each of the prerequisites listed below must have been completed at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution of higher learning. Applicants may apply while still compiling prerequisite work, but all academic requirements must be completed satisfactorily before the deadline set by each campus.
- Auburn Campus: All prerequisites must be completed by December 31, the year prior to matriculation.
- Example: Class of 2028 (June 2026 start date) applicants, all prerequisites must be completed by December 2025.
- Carolinas Campus: All prerequisites must be completed by June 30, the year of matriculation.
- Example: Class of 2029 (September 2026 start date) applicants, all prerequisites must be completed by June 30, 2026.
Substitutions are NOT permitted and survey courses for non-science majors are NOT acceptable. For those courses that have been repeated, the highest grade will be recognized.
All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation. The following policies apply to the timing and documentation of these courses:
Recency Requirements:
- The following prerequisites must be completed within five years of the application deadline:
- Biochemistry
- Human Anatomy with Lab
- Human Physiology
Transcript Submission:
Applicants must submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. All materials must be received by the application deadline for the application to be considered complete.
Five-Year Waiver Policy:
The five-year time limit may be waived only under one of the following circumstances:
- Standardized Test Exception: Applicants who score a 500 or higher on the MCAT or a 300 or higher on the GRE may be granted a waiver of the five-year limit.
- This waiver applies to the course recency only – not to the prerequisite course requirement itself. All prerequisite courses must still be completed, regardless of test scores.
- Tier 1 Healthcare Experience: Applicants currently working as Tier 1 healthcare providers are considered for exemption at the program’s discretion.
- See below for list of Tier 1 healthcare providers
- Extensive Clinical Experience: Applicants with substantial, direct clinical patient care experience may also be considered for a waiver of the five-year limit on a case-by-case basis.
Biochemistry – One (1) semester
- One semester of biochemistry is required. An advanced course is preferred but not mandatory.
- Bioengineering courses will not satisfy this requirement.
Human Anatomy – One (1) semester
- An advanced course is preferred but not mandatory.
- Courses in vertebrate embryology or developmental anatomy will not satisfy this requirement.
Human Physiology – One (1) semester
- An advanced course is preferred but not mandatory.
- Courses in mammalian physiology or embryology will not satisfy this requirement.
One semester of a combined Human Anatomy & Physiology course with lab may fulfill both requirements, provided it is completed with a grade of B- or better. This is the only prerequisite where a combined course may be accepted.
Lab Requirement Note:
While online lab coursework is not automatically disqualified, the MHSA Program strongly prefers that applicants complete science labs in person. Candidates are encouraged to present the most competitive application possible by selecting in-person lab courses whenever available.
Statistics – One (1) semester
- An advanced statistics course in analytics or life sciences is required. This is typically an applied course and/or one with a calculus prerequisite.
- Introductory, Elementary, or 100-level statistics courses will not satisfy this requirement.
English with Expository or Creative Writing – One (1) semester
- One semester of an introductory English course that includes a writing component — expository, creative, or technical writing is acceptable.
Biology – One (1) semester
- A full year of biology with lab focusing on general concepts is required.
- Labs must be completed in-person.
- Bioengineering, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, and histology will not satisfy this requirement.
Chemistry – One (1) semester
- A full year of general chemistry with lab is required.
- Labs must be completed in-person.
Organic Chemistry with Lab – One (1) semester
- One semester of organic chemistry with lab is required.
- Labs must be completed in-person.
Physics – One (1) semester
- A full year of general physics with lab is required.
- Labs must be completed in-person.
Healthcare Provider Tiers
| Healthcare Experience | Tier |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (PA) | 1 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | 1 |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | 1 |
| Physical Therapist (PT) | 1 |
| Registered Nurse (BSN) | 1 |
| Respiratory Therapist | 1 |
| Dentist | 1 |
| Pharmacist | 1 |
| Other – Tier 1 (subject to approval) | 1 |
| Paramedic | 2 |
| Anesthesia Technologist | 2 |
| Surgical Technologist | 2 |
| Other – Tier 2 (subject to approval) | 2 |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant | 3 |
| Patient Care Technician | 3 |
| Medical School | 3 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 3 |
| Medical Scribe | 3 |
| Hospital Volunteer | 3 |
| Phlebotomist | 3 |
| Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | 3 |
| Other – Tier 3 (subject to approval) | 3 |
| No Healthcare Experience | 0 |