Students who want to become medical doctors (MD and DO), veterinarians, dentists, optometrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and podiatrists can choose any undergraduate major. Here is some information to help you as you research your graduate school options.
If you are a degree-seeking student at UA Little Rock:
“Pre-health” is not a major so you will need to choose a major to be connected with an academic advisor. We have some preliminary information to help you choose a major that will meet your needs.
If you want to transfer to UAMS to complete a bachelor’s degree at UAMS:
If you are transferring to UAMS to become a radiology technician, respiratory therapist, dental hygienist, etc., you will be advised by in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education.
If you are a non-degree seeking student at UA Little Rock (i.e. just taking a few classes):
If you are not seeking a degree at UA Little Rock, you will not have an academic advisor. Instead, you will need to contact the academic department providing the course(s) you want for assistance in registering. If you aren’t sure what classes to take, it is best to contact an admissions rep with the program(s) you will be applying to – they can review your transcripts and let you know what classes you need.
Explore Advanced Health Career Pathways with UA Little Rock and Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Starting in Fall 2024, UA Little Rock students have a unique opportunity through a new partnership with Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) to secure an admission interview for any on-site program at ACHE. This agreement supports students in advancing their education and careers in high-demand healthcare fields such as medicine, physical therapy, and public health, recognizing their academic achievements and commitment.
Key Benefits of the Partnership:
- Guaranteed Admission Interviews: Eligible UA Little Rock students who meet specific program criteria, including a minimum GPA, completion of prerequisite coursework, and relevant academic or professional experiences, are guaranteed an admission interview with ACHE, enhancing their pathway to advanced health degrees.
- Exclusive Networking Opportunities: This partnership includes campus visits, networking events, and opportunities for UA Little Rock students to meet ACHE program leaders, admissions staff, and current students.
- Support for Career Goals: This agreement reflects both institutions’ dedication to increasing access to health education and facilitating clear pathways for students to succeed in healthcare professions.
- Programs Available for Pathway Admission: Programs include the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), doctoral programs in Physical Therapy (DPT) and Occupational Therapy (OTD), and a master’s degree in Biomedicine with various concentrations.
Learn More and Get Started
For more information on eligibility requirements, specific program details, and how to apply, students are encouraged to contact:
- Dr. Anindya Ghosh, Associate Dean of DCSTEM, at [email protected]
- Dr. Erin Flowers, Assistant Dean, at [email protected]
- Dr. Christopher Smith, Assistant Provost at ACHE, at [email protected]
For more resources, visit UA Little Rock’s Health Professions Resources Page and ACHE’s Student Page.
Medical School Pathways with NYITCOM
UA Little Rock partners with NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) at Arkansas State University to offer three pathways to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Each opens at a different point in your education, and you earn two degrees with a separate diploma from each institution.
Each pathway has its own requirements, and students follow the guidelines set out for the pathway they enter. None of the three guarantees admission to medical school — NYITCOM has the final authority over who is admitted to the D.O. program.
These pathways exist to address Arkansas’s physician shortage. According to NYITCOM, when physicians complete both medical school and residency in Arkansas, roughly 80 percent stay in the state to practice, compared with about 60 percent for those who do only one of the two here.
Compare the two pathways
| Item | 4+4 Pre-Med/D.O. Pathway | Early Admissions Program |
|---|---|---|
| When you apply | High school senior year | End of your second year here |
| Total length | 8 years | 8 years |
| MCAT | Not required | Required |
| Test scores | SAT 1100 or above, or ACT 26 or above | Not required |
| GPA you maintain | 3.5 science GPA each semester and cumulative | 3.5 overall GPA |
| Arkansas residency | Required | Not required |
| NYITCOM campus | Jonesboro | Jonesboro or Long Island |
| Who decides entry | Joint UA Little Rock–NYITCOM committee | UA Little Rock determines eligibility |
| Seats each year | Up to 10 | No set limit |
The 4+4 Pre-Med/D.O. Pathway
No MCAT required. Apply from high school. Eight years.
Four years at UA Little Rock earning a B.S. or B.A. in a STEM field, then four years at NYITCOM in Jonesboro. Students who meet the academic requirements are not required to take the MCAT — the only one of the three pathways where that is the case. Students who fall short of the grade point average requirements may be asked to submit an MCAT score for review.
This pathway is designed for Arkansas residents applying from high school. Students already enrolled at UA Little Rock are welcome to inquire; we look at these individually, considering a student’s academic record and whether the required course sequence can still be completed in time. Contact Dr. Anindya Ghosh at [email protected] or Dr. Erin Flowers at [email protected] to talk it through.
To be admitted
- Arkansas residency
- A combined SAT score of 1100 or above, or an ACT composite score of 26 or above
- A successful interview with the pathway admissions committee, made up of faculty from both institutions
Up to ten students are admitted each year.
To continue to medical school
- A 3.5 science GPA every semester and a 3.5 cumulative GPA, with a one-time waiver available for a single semester
- The required course sequence in chemistry, biology, and physics, along with other courses as required, taken at UA Little Rock
- Your STEM degree, including general education requirements
- A favorable recommendation from the UA Little Rock Premedical Committee
- Application to NYITCOM in your third year and an interview with NYITCOM faculty
The Early Admissions Program
Join partway through college. MCAT required. Eight years.
For students already at UA Little Rock. You join at the end of your second year, apply at the end of your third, and interview in early fall of your fourth — ahead of the standard application cycle. UA Little Rock provides NYITCOM with a list of eligible students, so your name reaches the admissions office directly.
To join
- Two completed years of undergraduate study at UA Little Rock
- An overall grade point average of 3.5
- A declared intention to apply to NYITCOM in Jonesboro or Long Island
To be considered for admission
- Your 3.5 overall GPA maintained
- An MCAT score taken no later than June 30 of your third academic year, at or above the average for that campus’s entering class
- At least 8 hours each of biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics with labs, plus 6 hours of English, with no grade below a C, along with other courses as required
- A favorable recommendation from the UA Little Rock Premedical Committee
Which pathway fits you
In high school and set on medicine? The 4+4 is the only route without the MCAT.
Already at UA Little Rock? The Early Admissions Program opens at the end of your second year, and
you are welcome to ask about the 4+4.
Want the Long Island campus? The Early Admissions Program allows it. The 4+4 is Jonesboro only.
If medicine is where you are headed, we encourage you to apply — and to talk with us early so we
can help you put together the strongest application you can.
Take the next step
Talk with an advisor about which pathway fits your timeline and your goals.
- Dr. Anindya Ghosh, Associate Dean, Donaghey College of STEM — [email protected]
- Dr. Erin Flowers, Assistant Dean, Donaghey College of STEM — [email protected]