Before planning a distance education – or mix of online and classroom – course of study, it is important to note that not all medical schools accept distance learning coursework as valid for meeting pre-med requirements.
For example, the University of Florida, College of Medicine, states unequivocally that “prerequisite courses must be taken in a traditional classroom environment,” which effectively rules out online classes. The University of Colorado, School of Medicine clarifies that applicants must show proof of taking eight semester hours each of “general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and biology” with labs; this, too, makes distance education coursework not applicable except in the case of English.
In addition, when choosing a college for undergraduate level coursework in pre-med, keeping an eye on accreditation is worthwhile. For example -- among other governing bodies -- EOU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, OU is recognized by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, while UMUC holds accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
On the other hand, Breyer State University offers a "pre-medicine degree" program completely online; unfortunately, it is accredited by the Educational Accreditation Association, which is not recognized as an accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates from this program may have difficulty in gaining admission into medical school, even though on paper they meet all the prerequisites.
