Advance your path to medical school with the University of Oklahoma’s RISE-MED Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate, a fully online program designed for Oklahoma residents preparing for entry into medical school.
Offered through the OU Health Campus, this certificate provides students with MCAT preparation, foundational biomedical science courses, and topics aligned with medical school standards. With a focus on communities facing a shortage of healthcare professionals or primary care physicians, RISE-MED empowers aspiring health professionals to overcome barriers, strengthen their academic profile, and pursue entry into medical school.
9 to 12 months
15
18 to 24 hours weekly
Fall & Spring
Tuition and fees for this program follow the standard OU graduate tuition rate of $226.30 per credit hour. When combined with mandatory fees, the cost is $263.00 per credit hour. Scholarships and financial assistance are available to qualified applicants through the OU Financial Aid Office. This program is supported by a multi-year federal grant, with funding for program operations and associated scholarships contingent upon the availability of funds each year. Interested students are encouraged to apply early and contact us with any questions regarding current funding opportunities.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
The University of Oklahoma’s online RISE-MED Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate is a 15-credit-hour program designed to prepare Oklahoma residents for medical school.
Delivered through the OU Health Campus, the curriculum blends biomedical science, public health, and MCAT preparation to strengthen academic readiness and career mobility. Students gain foundational knowledge in molecular biology, biostatistics, and social determinants of health, while developing critical thinking, research, and professional communication skills. With a focus on communities facing a shortage of healthcare professionals or primary care physicians, this flexible, 100% online certificate empowers aspiring health professionals to overcome barriers, build confidence, and pursue entry into medical school to build meaningful careers in medicine.
Note: During the initial implementation phase, applications to the RISE-MED Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate will be restricted to Oklahoma residents. This focus supports the program’s mission to expand the pathway of qualified medical school applicants within the state.
OU’s 100% online RISE-MED Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate is designed to provide Oklahoma residents with the academic foundation, MCAT preparation, and interdisciplinary skills needed to pursue medical school. This program empowers aspiring professionals to overcome barriers, strengthen their credentials, and serve underserved communities across the state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with similar post-baccalaureate certificates often enter healthcare workforce roles (e.g., laboratory technician, public health educator, research assistant); however, this program is designed primarily to prepare students for medical school and other clinical career pathways. Although the program is not designed to overcome a GPA that does not meet medical school requirements, it helps students prepare for the application process.
OU’s online RISE-MED Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate equips Oklahoma residents with the academic preparation, MCAT support, and interdisciplinary training needed to pursue medical school or transition into health-focused careers. You’ll graduate with the confidence, credentials, and skills to succeed in competitive health programs and contribute meaningfully to underserved communities.
Program Goals
Program Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the program, students will:
OU’s RISE-MED Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate prepares Oklahoma residents for medical school through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum. Students begin with foundational coursework in biomedical science, MCAT preparation, and social determinants of health, then build expertise through electives in molecular biology, biostatistics, and public health. The program blends flexibility with mentorship through asynchronous courses designed for traditional students, working professionals, and career changers. Each course is structured to strengthen academic readiness, sharpen analytical thinking, and foster collaboration with expert faculty—empowering graduates to pursue competitive health programs and serve underserved communities across Oklahoma.
MCAT Prep
Credit Hours 3
This course prepares you for the MCAT exam, focusing on CARS skills and medical school interview techniques. Emphasizing communication, critical thinking, and leadership, the program includes self-paced MCAT prep, mock interviews, and targeted CARS problem sets, based on methods from the OU Med REV UP! program.
Foundations in Biomedical Science
Credit Hours 3
This course aligns with the program's goal to provide students with an understanding of the biological basis of health and disease, comparable to a first-year medical school curriculum. It offers advanced content on molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin health and disease processes and builds skills critical for MCAT preparation and health profession pathways. Topics will include advanced protein structure, gene expression regulation, cellular metabolism, and translational genomics, strongly emphasizing application in medical research.
Social Determinants of Health
Credit Hours 3
This course provides an ecological exploration of the social determinants of health. Students will examine the factors that influence health, including biological, environmental, and social determinants, and how interventions at each level can be designed and implemented to improve outcomes.
Molecular Biology
Credit Hours 3
This course provides an in-depth exploration of molecular biology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that govern gene expression, replication, and repair. Students will explore advanced topics such as chromatin structure, DNA repair mechanisms, RNA processing, and regulation of gene expression. Molecular Biology BMSC 5023 builds upon the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences course, integrating theoretical and experimental approaches through problem sets, case studies, and supplemental readings.
Immunology
Credit Hours 3
This course provides an advanced understanding of immunological processes, including innate and adaptive immune responses, antigen presentation, and immunological memory. The course also covers immune system dysfunctions, such as autoimmunity and immunodeficiencies, and explores the role of the immune system in cancer and infectious diseases.
Biostatistics
Credit Hours 3
Prerequisites: College algebra and ability to use a computer spreadsheet, or instructor permission. Students who seek late enrollment in the course must obtain instructor permission to enroll. Fundamental concepts and applications of statistics. This course and BSE 5173 serve as an introduction to all higher-level courses in statistics. This course makes use of the JMP statistical package.
Principles of Epidemiology
Credit Hours 3
Prerequisites: None. This course provides an introduction to epidemiology for students majoring in any aspect of Public Health. It discusses the principles and methods of epidemiological investigation, both of infectious and non-infectious diseases.
OU Online delivers high-quality, career-focused programs that offer the flexibility of a 100% online format alongside the academic excellence of a top-tier public university. Offered through the University of Oklahoma’s Health Campus, the RISE-MED Certificate prepares Oklahoma residents for medical school and advanced health degrees through rigorous coursework, MCAT preparation, and interdisciplinary topics aligned with medical school standards.
With a curriculum aligned to medical school standards and a focus on communities facing a shortage of healthcare professionals or primary care physicians, this certificate provides students with the opportunity to overcome barriers, build competitive applications, and pursue meaningful careers in medicine. OU Online’s student-centered approach ensures you receive expert instruction, personalized mentorship, and a flexible learning experience that fits your schedule and goals.
The RISE-MED Certificate is powered by expert faculty at the University of Oklahoma—leaders in biomedical science and medical education who bring real-world experience into every course. OU Online connects students with professionals who understand the challenges of medical school preparation and the opportunities available in today’s evolving health landscape.
Through this dynamic blend of academic rigor and mentorship, students gain access to MCAT-tested strategies, interdisciplinary insight, and personalized guidance from faculty committed to student success. OU’s instructors are dedicated to helping you build confidence, strengthen your academic profile, and pursue meaningful careers in medicine.
OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic advising, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and career development resources. The program is designed for traditional students, working professionals, and career changers, providing the flexibility to balance your education with personal and professional commitments—while receiving the support you need to thrive.
With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means joining a powerful network of healthcare professionals, researchers, and leaders. OU’s alumni community offers valuable connections, mentorship opportunities, and career support to help you accelerate your path in medicine.
The RISE-MED Certificate is delivered 100% online in a flexible format designed for traditional students, working professionals, and career changers. Complete the program in as little as 9 months while balancing full-time work, family responsibilities, or other commitments. Study from anywhere and gain the biomedical knowledge, MCAT preparation, and interdisciplinary skills needed to pursue medical school or transition into health-focused careers.
Courses in the RISE-MED Certificate combine the flexibility of asynchronous learning with personalized instruction and real-world relevance. Students begin with a focus on foundational coursework in biomedical science, MCAT prep, and social determinants of health, then deepen their expertise through targeted electives in molecular biology, biostatistics, and public health.
The program’s customizable format allows students to align their learning with academic and career goals of preparing for entry into medical school while staying engaged through collaboration with expert faculty and peers.
As you consider the RISE-MED Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate, focus on the potential return on investment. The credential you’ll earn not only strengthens your academic readiness for medical school but also connects you to expert faculty, personalized mentorship, and OU’s global alumni network of healthcare professionals and researchers.
Tuition and fees for this program follow the standard OU graduate tuition rate of $226.30 per credit hour. When combined with mandatory fees, the cost is $263.00 per credit hour. Scholarships and financial assistance are available to qualified applicants through the OU Financial Aid Office. This program is supported by a multi-year federal grant, with funding for program operations and associated scholarships contingent upon the availability of funds each year. Interested students are encouraged to apply early and contact us with any questions regarding current funding opportunities.
* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (OU) received a 4-year, $16 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), having an additional 10% from nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.”
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
OU Online
338 Cate Center Drive, Rm. 381
Norman, Oklahoma 73072
