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Affordable Online Certifications for Pre-Med Students?
Hey, does anyone know good certifications for pre-med students that I can do online? I’m looking for something practical, like in healthcare, research, or patient care, and ideally at a reduced cost. Also, how do I get started with them online? Any tips or recommendations would be awesome thanks!
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5 answers
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Mishl’s Answer
Please go to Alison.com. This website offers various courses and diplomas free of cost. To start you just have to sign-in with your respective details and then find your interests and choose the courses that you want. Just start and have a good learning journey, thanks.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
angel
Updated
Mary Jane’s Answer
If you are looking for something that will make you marketable for clinical employment, Cap Year offers a low-cost online medical assistant certification: https://academy.capyear.co/bundle/clinical-medical-assistant-training
I am not affiliated with the company but have spoken with the founder and the medical director. I like their model and feel confident enough about what I've seen so far to point my own students to their services.
I am not affiliated with the company but have spoken with the founder and the medical director. I like their model and feel confident enough about what I've seen so far to point my own students to their services.
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi Angel,
One of the more popular "certifications" that I see pre-med students obtain vary, and it really depends on your preferences and what direction you want to go in. A very popular one is through ScribeAmerica, where they train you online to become a scribe -- so this is a job, which is either virtual or in person (depending on where the scribes are needed) and you shouldn't have to pay anything for it. You can use these toward patient care / clinical hours for your application when you are ready to apply to medical school. AMCAS will provide you with all of the requirements.
Some certifications are tricky to get online otherwise, because sometimes they require a certain amount of externship or physical hours to be part of a certification requirement. Many of these certifications you can obtain through employment or school services, which could be reduced cost if not free (covered through the employer), but you would have to check with them. Some of these opportunities may not even require that you need to hold a certain certification, but that depends on your state laws and requirements. I think patient care tech as a job might not require a certification, and it still is a great experience to put forth toward your medical career. MA (medical assistant) may not require certification or licensure either, but they may offer that online as well, if not they could be paid for through your employer. I always recommend checking with the job listings and state requirements, as they will list what certifications are needed and what can be obtained through employment.
Vocational schools or community colleges sometimes offer reduced rates for certain certifications as part of a specific training, like CNA or EMT. For research opportunities, I would recommend that if you're in college, to reach out to any of your science professors and find out if they have any opportunities to be part of their research. They are always working on some kind of research projects that a lot of premed students are part of. They may have connections that could benefit you in your medical school journey. Sometimes local medical schools will have events or opportunities with local colleges to get prospective students involved. I also would recommend utilizing these opportunities to network with current medical students and having mentorship with them so they can guide you the best in the process (since they went through it too!).
Coursera was mentioned in another response, which is a great opportunity to get reduced cost certificates. They have a lot of health related courses, however, I am not sure how much weight that open source websites like those hold. Some places don't really look at them with merit unless they consider it to be a foundational asset to expanding your personal knowledge during an interview process, if that makes sense. I took a few free courses for my own knowledge, but they didn't hold as much weight as say, courses in your bachelor's degree, for example, would.
Volunteer opportunities can also be beneficial as part of your medical journey. The American Red Cross is an example that may have certifications for BLS (basic life support). Hospitals usually have a lot of volunteer opportunities that you can get, and sometimes you can work your way up. Some people I know got job offers because of the level of commitment and their work ethic to the service. Sometimes they will also pay for you to obtain certain certifications relevant to the job or volunteer work if needed.
I found this website that has a few certifications, but you would need to check them out to see what requirements are needed and what the costs come out to. I think they are all able to be completed online. Check it out --> https://www.nhanow.com/
This blogger also lists some great opportunities from non-profits etc., that I think might be beneficial for your medical school journey --> https://taracaitlin.com/volunteer-opportunities-for-premed-students/
You never know! I hope these were able to help you in any way. Best of luck in your journey!
One of the more popular "certifications" that I see pre-med students obtain vary, and it really depends on your preferences and what direction you want to go in. A very popular one is through ScribeAmerica, where they train you online to become a scribe -- so this is a job, which is either virtual or in person (depending on where the scribes are needed) and you shouldn't have to pay anything for it. You can use these toward patient care / clinical hours for your application when you are ready to apply to medical school. AMCAS will provide you with all of the requirements.
Some certifications are tricky to get online otherwise, because sometimes they require a certain amount of externship or physical hours to be part of a certification requirement. Many of these certifications you can obtain through employment or school services, which could be reduced cost if not free (covered through the employer), but you would have to check with them. Some of these opportunities may not even require that you need to hold a certain certification, but that depends on your state laws and requirements. I think patient care tech as a job might not require a certification, and it still is a great experience to put forth toward your medical career. MA (medical assistant) may not require certification or licensure either, but they may offer that online as well, if not they could be paid for through your employer. I always recommend checking with the job listings and state requirements, as they will list what certifications are needed and what can be obtained through employment.
Vocational schools or community colleges sometimes offer reduced rates for certain certifications as part of a specific training, like CNA or EMT. For research opportunities, I would recommend that if you're in college, to reach out to any of your science professors and find out if they have any opportunities to be part of their research. They are always working on some kind of research projects that a lot of premed students are part of. They may have connections that could benefit you in your medical school journey. Sometimes local medical schools will have events or opportunities with local colleges to get prospective students involved. I also would recommend utilizing these opportunities to network with current medical students and having mentorship with them so they can guide you the best in the process (since they went through it too!).
Coursera was mentioned in another response, which is a great opportunity to get reduced cost certificates. They have a lot of health related courses, however, I am not sure how much weight that open source websites like those hold. Some places don't really look at them with merit unless they consider it to be a foundational asset to expanding your personal knowledge during an interview process, if that makes sense. I took a few free courses for my own knowledge, but they didn't hold as much weight as say, courses in your bachelor's degree, for example, would.
Volunteer opportunities can also be beneficial as part of your medical journey. The American Red Cross is an example that may have certifications for BLS (basic life support). Hospitals usually have a lot of volunteer opportunities that you can get, and sometimes you can work your way up. Some people I know got job offers because of the level of commitment and their work ethic to the service. Sometimes they will also pay for you to obtain certain certifications relevant to the job or volunteer work if needed.
I found this website that has a few certifications, but you would need to check them out to see what requirements are needed and what the costs come out to. I think they are all able to be completed online. Check it out --> https://www.nhanow.com/
This blogger also lists some great opportunities from non-profits etc., that I think might be beneficial for your medical school journey --> https://taracaitlin.com/volunteer-opportunities-for-premed-students/
You never know! I hope these were able to help you in any way. Best of luck in your journey!
Updated
Missy’s Answer
I've experienced the enriching world of Clinical Trials and various scientific courses on Coursera, and I can't recommend them enough. They offer a free trial for a week, followed by a monthly fee of $49, which you can opt out of anytime. In my opinion, the value you receive far outweighs the cost, especially if you're keen on expanding your knowledge in the medical or scientific fields. Coursera stands out with its superior quality compared to most online classes out there. Plus, the flexibility of learning at your own speed makes these online classes a fantastic choice. Wishing you all the best on your learning journey!
thank you so much
angel
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Angel, I assume that when you say "pre-med" that you are aspiring to become a physician, not an ancillary professional. Also, I would assume that when you identify as "pre-med" that you are already in or are about to be in college.
You are in great location, Dallas, for opportunities to enhance your medical school application. Pease explore UT Southwestern's programs for aspiring physicians: https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/students/student-engagement/college-premed.html
As you can see there are several programs, some paid, some not, that will enhance your application. Other medical schools have similar programs. There are opportunities in leadership training, observational experiences, research experiences etc.
Most Medical Schools are utilizing a "holistic admission evaluation" which looks at Academic Attributes, Professionalism, your Motivation, Resilience, Empathy/Compassion, Communication Skills, and Collaboration/Teamwork.
"Certifications" gained online are highly unlikely to enhance your application. Medical schools are looking for criteria that can be psychometrically validated. In the Academic Construct, grades and MCAT scores to validate retention of academic material has high psychometric value. Open response mini-essays to look at items such as teamwork, empathy, compassion, self-awareness, ethics, professionalism, problem solving, and motivation have high psychometric values.
Multiple Mini Interviews look for your personal mission, motivation and communication skills, and have high psychometric value.
Other components of your application such as your essay and your recommendations are important features, but have much lower value compared to the items above.
I recommend that you spend your time and efforts inv areas other than internet "certifications" to enhance your application. Specifically, work on your communication skills including public speaking. As a medical student, intern and resident you will be presenting to small and large groups, previous speaking experiences are valuable. Work on leadership skills, in any healthcare setting you will be called upon for leadership. Toastmasters is one organization that has both communication and leadership tracts to improve these skills.
Read as much as possible. I recommend "The Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gwande; "How Doctors Think" By Jerome Groopman; "Advice to the Healer" by Richard Colgan; "Second Opinions" by Jerome Groopman; "Complications" by Atul Gwande and "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman. There are many other books written by physicians that are great, these could help shape your attitudes on communication, professionalism, ethics, empathy, compassion and other traits of great physicians.
As Sir William Osler (a famous physician, pioneer in Internal Medicine and medical education) stated: "The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today's work superbly well".
Good luck on your journey.
You are in great location, Dallas, for opportunities to enhance your medical school application. Pease explore UT Southwestern's programs for aspiring physicians: https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/students/student-engagement/college-premed.html
As you can see there are several programs, some paid, some not, that will enhance your application. Other medical schools have similar programs. There are opportunities in leadership training, observational experiences, research experiences etc.
Most Medical Schools are utilizing a "holistic admission evaluation" which looks at Academic Attributes, Professionalism, your Motivation, Resilience, Empathy/Compassion, Communication Skills, and Collaboration/Teamwork.
"Certifications" gained online are highly unlikely to enhance your application. Medical schools are looking for criteria that can be psychometrically validated. In the Academic Construct, grades and MCAT scores to validate retention of academic material has high psychometric value. Open response mini-essays to look at items such as teamwork, empathy, compassion, self-awareness, ethics, professionalism, problem solving, and motivation have high psychometric values.
Multiple Mini Interviews look for your personal mission, motivation and communication skills, and have high psychometric value.
Other components of your application such as your essay and your recommendations are important features, but have much lower value compared to the items above.
I recommend that you spend your time and efforts inv areas other than internet "certifications" to enhance your application. Specifically, work on your communication skills including public speaking. As a medical student, intern and resident you will be presenting to small and large groups, previous speaking experiences are valuable. Work on leadership skills, in any healthcare setting you will be called upon for leadership. Toastmasters is one organization that has both communication and leadership tracts to improve these skills.
Read as much as possible. I recommend "The Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gwande; "How Doctors Think" By Jerome Groopman; "Advice to the Healer" by Richard Colgan; "Second Opinions" by Jerome Groopman; "Complications" by Atul Gwande and "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman. There are many other books written by physicians that are great, these could help shape your attitudes on communication, professionalism, ethics, empathy, compassion and other traits of great physicians.
As Sir William Osler (a famous physician, pioneer in Internal Medicine and medical education) stated: "The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today's work superbly well".
Good luck on your journey.
Thank you for the advice, Michael.
angel