Frequently Asked Questions
The Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program at a Glance
Eligibility — Students age 18+
Format — 100% Online
Schedule — Flexible & Asynchronous
Course Types — Enrichment
Certificate — Certificate of Completion
Scholarship Availability — Need-based scholarships available
Program Overview
Yes, this program is a non-degree certificate program from Harvard Medical School. It is administered through the Office for External Education with the support of its service provider, Kaplan North America, LLC. Participation in this program does not affect application decisions for Harvard Medical School’s Program in Medical Education.
Eligible students must be at least 18 years old. The program is designed for undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students and recent graduates who are preparing for or considering medical school, or a related education or career path. Others, including career changers or those with a general interest in the medical field, are welcome to apply.
If you are between the ages of 13 and 17 or have not yet completed high school, please instead apply to the Pre-College Online Certificate Program here.
The Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program currently offers 9 online courses across various medical-related subject areas:
- Capstone Courses: Artificial Intelligence: Redefining the Frontiers of Medicine; Becoming a Doctor: A Deep Dive into the Medical Profession; Medical Research: Shaping the Future of Health and Medicine; Surgery: Inside the Operating Room and Beyond
- Academic Enrichment Courses: Biochemistry: From Molecules to Medicine; Genetics: Unlocking the Power of DNA; Immunology: Explore the Body’s Natural Defenses; Pharmacology: From Drug Discovery to Patient Care; Physiology: Inside the Body's Inner Workings
Yes — all courses are 100% asynchronous, with no live sessions or required log-in times. You complete each course entirely on your own schedule between your session's start and end dates. You'll need approximately 30-35 total hours per course. Sessions run 1 week, 2 weeks, or 4 weeks — roughly 30-35 hrs/week, 15-17.5 hrs/week, or 7.5-8.5 hrs/week. Students from every time zone participate. Mentors most frequently interact during daytime hours in U.S. time zones (U.S. PT/MT/CT/ET), but we have students from all over the world studying with us.
For academic enrichment courses, you should also plan a convenient time to take your final exam (90 minutes) prior to your end date.
Yes, after enrolling you can switch courses or session dates directly from your student profile seven or more days before your session start date. Log in to your profile page, go to the Courses tab, and select a new course or date.
If your session starts in less than 7 days, contact support@pm.hms.harvard.edu and our team will assist you.
Yes, there's no limit to how many courses you can take, and many students take multiple courses to explore different medical disciplines. If you enroll in more than one course, we recommend choosing different session dates to get the most out of each.
Yes, you can participate from any time zone. All course content is asynchronous, so there are no required log-in times or live sessions to schedule around. This makes the program accessible to students both within the U.S. and internationally.
Course tuition for the program is as follows:
- Academic Enrichment courses: $1,895
- Capstone courses: $2,195
There are no additional fees.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, UnionPay, JCB, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
We accept most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, UnionPay, JCB etc.), as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
Tuition for the Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program is due the day before each course start date you've selected.
Yes, we offer need-based scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need and high potential.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, you can request a scholarship on the confirmation page after submitting your application.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.
Yes, students may include participation in the Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program on medical school and post-baccalaureate applications, resumes, and academic CVs. Participation in the program should be listed as “extracurricular” or “experiential” rather than "educational experience” since it’s for enrichment only. Including this program highlights your academic initiative, commitment to the medical field, and drive to pursue advanced learning opportunities.
Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Course Information
No, there are no live video sessions or Zoom calls. The Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program is designed for maximum flexibility, allowing you to learn on your own schedule through an asynchronous format.
How learning works:
- Pre-recorded videos: Engage with interactive lessons taught by instructors via high-quality, pre-recorded video content.
- Flexible assignments: Complete all coursework, readings, and activities on your schedule.
- Expert mentorship: Receive personalized guidance and feedback from a mentor in Canvas.
If you are interested in an on-campus, credit-bearing, post-baccalaureate program, visit the HES Premedical Program site here.
In Academic Enrichment courses you will take quizzes and a final exam to assess your mastery of the course content. Academic Enrichment course options:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
In Capstone courses, you will complete open-ended assignments and a final capstone project, which allows you to demonstrate what you’ve learned in the program. Capstone course options:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Becoming a Doctor
- Medical Research
- Surgery
Each Harvard Medical School pre-med course requires approximately 30-35 hours of total study time. Depending on the time of year, you can choose from three different pacing options—all of which feature the exact same content, sessions, and mentor support:
- 1-Week Intensive Session: Requires a commitment of ~30-35 hours per week (best for fast-paced, dedicated study).
- 2-Week Session: Requires a commitment of ~15-17.5 hours per week (best for a balanced, part-time schedule).
- 4-Week Session: Requires a commitment of ~7.5-8.5 hours per week (best for maximum flexibility and a lighter weekly workload).
Schedule Flexibility & Course Access:
- Self-Paced Learning: You have the flexibility to complete the coursework on your own schedule, provided all work is submitted before your specific session end date.
- Extended View Access: Students will retain view-only access to all course materials for 1 month after the official course end date.
Most courses can be completed entirely on your computer, smartphone, or tablet without any extra supplies. However, some do require additional materials.
Note: Please check your specific course syllabus prior to the start date for any updated or added material lists.
You will receive an online course invitation at least two days prior to your course start date. Students who enroll at or near the deadline may receive credentials slightly later.
If your course starts in less than 48 hours and you have not received your invitation, please check your spam folder or contact student support at support@pm.hms.harvard.edu.
No, Harvard Medical School pre-med online certificate courses do not provide college credit or fulfill prerequisites. These online programs are designed for academic enrichment and exploration.
However, upon successful completion of the program, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion from the Harvard Medical School. The certificate is a tangible achievement you are welcome to include on your resume or medical school application(s).
If you are interested in a credit-bearing, post-baccalaureate program, visit the HES Premedical Program site here.
No, participation in the pre-med online certificate program will not afford you any preferential treatment in the Harvard Medical School admissions process. However, it will add a university non-credit course to your medical school application(s) and demonstrates dedication to continuing education, academic initiative, and passion for deepening your foundational knowledge of medicine.
Yes, you will earn an official Harvard Medical School Certificate of Completion after successfully finishing a course in the program. The requirements are as follows:
- Academic Enrichment courses: Complete all scored quizzes and the final exam by the end of the program.
- Capstone courses: Complete at least 70% of the course assignments and the Final Capstone Project by the end of the program.
For full details on grading and course policies, please review the Academic Requirements section in our Terms of Use.
(A sample version of the Harvard Medical School certificate is displayed below).
Yes. Your capstone project serves as a tangible, work-based portfolio piece that demonstrates your medical knowledge and skills. You can highlight it under the "Extracurricular Activities" sections of your medical school applications, as well as on resumes for clinical, research, or post-baccalaureate positions.
Assignments & Grading
For Academic Enrichment courses, quizzes appear throughout the course. You can retake a quiz if you are not satisfied with your first score (maximum of two attempts per quiz).
The Final Exam is timed (90 minutes), but it can be taken on your own schedule during the course. If you complete all scored quizzes and the final exam, you will receive a certificate of completion.
For Capstone courses, assignments are assessed as Complete or Incomplete — there are no letter grades. "Complete" means your work satisfies the assignment requirements. "Incomplete" means it wasn't submitted or didn't address the assignment requirements.
For more information, view the Academic Requirement section of our Terms of Use.
Each course includes module assignments after each unit, plus one final capstone project. Module assignments are designed to reinforce and apply what you learned in that unit. The capstone project gives you a chance to explore a topic from the course in depth and to receive mentor feedback before you finalize it.
All assignments and your capstone project must be completed before your session end date. There are no individual assignment deadlines within the course — you manage your own schedule, as long as everything is submitted by the end of your chosen session.
For Academic Enrichment courses, you can study and take quizzes (untimed) any time during your course. For the final exam, you will have 90 minutes and one attempt, but you can take it whenever is convenient for you.
About the Instructors & Mentors
The Harvard Medical School pre-med online certificate courses are developed and taught by Harvard Medical School faculty and industry experts who are leaders in their respective fields. Instructors bring real-world experience and academic rigor to the curriculum.
You can find more information about each course instructor below:
- Artificial Intelligence: Redefining the Frontiers of Medicine
- Becoming a Doctor: A Deep Dive into the Medical Profession
- Biochemistry: From Molecules to Medicine
- Genetics: Unlocking the Power of DNA
- Immunology: Explore the Body's Natural Defenses
- Medical Research: Shaping the Future of Health and Medicine
- Pharmacology: From Drug Discovery to Patient Care
- Physiology: Inside the Body's Inner Workings
- Surgery: Inside the Operating Room and Beyond
Mentors are well-versed in your course subject and will work with you throughout the course experience. They will provide encouragement and direction, as well as the inspiration and confidence to be successful. In short, you won’t need to go it alone.
Your mentor will answer course-related questions, provide guidance and encouragement, and give feedback on your coursework. Think of them as your go-to resource for staying on track and getting the most out of the program.
You will have the opportunity to connect with your mentor virtually during your course through the Canvas Inbox and discussion board. Reach out to your mentor whenever you have any questions or need support regarding your course content.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
We know that your plans may change. Yes, you may cancel your enrollment without penalty and receive 100% of tuition/fees paid if we receive your request to cancel at least seven (7) calendar days prior to your originally scheduled cohort start date.
All tuition/fees paid for a program become non-refundable six (6) days prior to your originally scheduled cohort start date for that program. However, you may be able to switch your enrollment to another program or cohort.
If your plans change after your enrollment, reach out to us at support@pm.hms.harvard.edu as soon as possible so that we can offer you the most flexibility.
Technical Requirements & Issues
A strong internet connection (WiFi or wired) is required as the course is online.
Our digital course platform, Canvas, is compatible with most browsers and devices. We recommend using a laptop or similar device, but you can also download the Canvas Student app on the App Store or Google Play to study on a mobile device.
Enrolled students will receive course access via email at least 2 days prior to your course start date. Students who enroll at or near the deadline may receive credentials slightly later.
Once you receive the course access email, you can:
- Download the App: Download the Canvas Student app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can log in via your desktop browser using the link provided in your welcome email.
- Find Your School: Open the app and type "Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program" when prompted with "What’s your school’s name?"
- Enter Credentials: Input your credentials to log in and view your dashboard.
Note: If your course starts in less than 48 hours and you have not received your access email, please check your spam folder or contact student support at support@pm.hms.harvard.edu.
You will have view-only access to the online course for 1 month after your end-date. You must complete all of the assignments for your course by the end of your course session.
Contact & Support
You can reach the Harvard Medical School Pre-Med Online Certificate Program support team directly by email at support@pm.hms.harvard.edu for assistance with enrollment, technical issues, or general program questions. A member of our support team will review your inquiry and get back to you as soon as possible (typically within 24–48 business hours).
