Will Medical, [1] [2] Physician Assistant and Dental Schools Accept Online Prerequisites? Here's What You Need to Know.
 By Amna Qureshi Assistant Professor of Practice/Curriculum Coordinator[3] [4] 

If you're planning to apply to medical, physician assistant (PA) or dental school, you know that completing prerequisite courses is one of the first—and most important—steps on your journey. But what if those courses are online? Will health professional programs accept them?

The answer is: yes, many do—but it depends on the program. And here's the good news: Doane University's Open Learning Academy (OLA) offers online science courses designed with your future in mind. These courses are rigorous, transferable and include labs that meet the high standards of health professional schools.

Online Courses Gained Widespread Acceptance—Especially Post-Pandemic

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many medical, dental and PA schools strongly preferred in-person science prerequisites, especially those with lab components. However, the global shift to online learning led to an important change: schools across the country began accepting online coursework out of necessity—and many have continued to do so.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), most U.S. medical schools accepted online prerequisites taken during the pandemic and are continuing to show flexibility (AAMC, 2021). Similarly, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) noted that many dental schools accept online science courses, especially if they were taken at regionally accredited institutions (ADEA, 2020).

Accreditation and Quality Still Matter

While the format may be flexible, the quality of the course and the accreditation of the institution remain critical. Doane University's OLA courses are regionally accredited, and the curriculum is designed by experienced faculty to meet the expectations of professional schools. Our science courses—like General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology—include lab kits that students complete hands-on at home, replicating the rigor and skills of in-person labs.

Even more importantly: our transcripts do not indicate that the course or lab was completed online. That means when you apply to professional schools, the courses appear just like traditional, on-campus classes.

Importantly, all OLA courses are graded using a standard letter-grade scale—never pass/fail. This is a key advantage for students applying to competitive health professional programs, many of which require or strongly prefer letter grades for prerequisite coursework. Letter grades allow admissions committees to evaluate your academic performance more accurately and contribute to your science GPA, which is often a major factor in admissions decisions.

Still, It’s Important to Check with Your Programs

Each professional school sets its own admission policies. Some schools accept online science prerequisites without hesitation, while others still prefer in-person labs. We encourage students to contact their target schools early in the process and confirm their policies on online prerequisites and virtual labs.

For example, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine accepts online courses and labs from accredited institutions (UCSF, 2024). However, others, like Duke School of Medicine, may still express a preference for in-person labs (Duke SOM, 2023).

Key Takeaways for Pre-Health Students

  • Yes, online prerequisites are widely accepted—especially when taken at accredited institutions like Doane University.
     

  • Doane’s transcripts do not indicate a course was online, helping you avoid unnecessary concerns during application review.
     
  • Our labs use high-quality kits and/or rigorous digital labs that allow you to gain hands-on experience at home.
     

  • Always confirm each professional school’s policy before enrolling in a prerequisite course.
     

Your Online Courses Start Here

At Doane University's Open Learning Academy, our online courses are designed to help you meet your goals without sacrificing quality or credibility. Whether you're planning for med school, PA school, or dental school, our flexible, affordable courses let you learn at your pace—without compromising your future.

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Reference terms: Open Learning Academy (OLA), online learning, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), American Dental Education Association (ADEA), medical school, physician assistant (PA) school, dental school, online science course, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Microbiology, science lab kits, professional schools, medical schools, health professional programs, prerequisite coursework, professional school courses, Pre-Health Students, Pre-Health courses, Pre-Health classes, accredited institution, flexible, affordable courses