Becoming a Doctor: A Deep Dive into the Medical Profession
From applying to medical school to understanding health systems, emerging technologies, and the delivery of care, this course gives you an inside look at the path to becoming a doctor. Through expert interviews, case studies, multimedia content, and a final research project, students will gain a comprehensive introduction to the medical profession. Blending curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, this course offers a well-rounded perspective on what it means to practice modern medicine in today’s complex health care landscape.
Program Dates
Choose the course length that works for you: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Individual Course Fees
$2,195
Becoming a Doctor
Learn about different paths to becoming a doctor.
There's more than one way to become an MD. Find out what the various paths are, how the admissions process works, and the qualities needed to succeed as a medical doctor. Hear from HMS physicians about their personal journeys.
What Does it Mean to Be a Physician?
Examine the real-world experience of medical doctors — from patient care and teamwork to emotional resilience and lifelong learning. Students will gain insight into the routines, pressures, and evolving identity of those who practice medicine today.
Diseases and Innovations
Study common chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, alongside breakthrough treatments. Learn how biology, technology, and social factors shape care — and why persistence matters in medicine.
Health Systems and Delivery
Get behind the scenes of how hospitals and clinics work, explore clinical and non-clinical career paths in health care, and examine the leadership, logistics, and policies that make health care systems function.
Future Frontiers in Medicine
Investigate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, stem cell therapeutics, and precision medicine — and how they’re transforming care, education, and ethics. This module encourages students to think critically about the future of medicine and their potential roles in shaping it.
Final Capstone Project: Define Your Vision for a Future in Medicine
Complete a final project that helps you understand and articulate why you want to pursue medicine — insights you can use in college essays. By connecting your learning to personal goals or future health care challenges, you’ll gain a deeper perspective on what it means to become a medical doctor.
How You Will Benefit
- Gain insight into the path to medical school and what it takes to become a medical doctor.
- Learn from Harvard Medical School faculty through real-world stories and expert interviews.
- Explore clinical care, health care systems, and the role of innovation in medicine.
- Examine future-facing topics such as AI, precision medicine, and the ethical challenges they present.
- Demonstrate your learning through a final project — choosing to create either a personal roadmap for your future in medicine or a vision of what it means to be a future doctor.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School, a valuable addition to your college applications.
Four Learning Advantages Designed for You
Final Capstone Project
This online program culminates in a final project that allows you to:
- Clarify personal motivations and future possibilities in medicine.
- Apply course concepts, including clinical practice, health care systems, and innovation, to real-world scenarios.
- Strengthen critical thinking by evaluating challenges and opportunities in the future of health care.
- Build a forward-looking perspective that connects today’s learning to tomorrow’s medical career.
College-Level Content
- The program grants you access to enrichment-style learning that includes videos, assignments, end-of-module quizzes, interactive widgets, and discussion boards designed by doctors, scientists, and professors from Harvard Medical School — the perfect fit if you envision a future in medicine or STEM.
- This content offers an inside look at medicine through a course from Harvard Medical School, culminating in a capstone project that highlights your insights and growth.
Mentoring
Gain support from an expert mentor who’ll help answer questions and enrich your experience. Here’s what to expect:
- Mentors grade assignments, provide feedback, and guide you in understanding what it takes to pursue a future as a doctor
- Encouragement and direction throughout the course.
- Inspiration, motivation, and confidence to help you succeed.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
- Enjoy flexible, engaging video lessons that you can watch at your convenience.
- Multiple medical courses can be taken to maximize your learning experience.
- Approximately 35 hours of total instruction and activities per course, including multimedia, simulations, and curated quizzes and content.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
Taught by HMS Faculty
David H. Roberts, MD
Steven P. Simcox, Patrick A. Clifford, and James H. Higby Associate Professor of Medicine; Dean for External Education, Harvard Medical School
Dr. David H. Roberts is an HMS graduate, a pulmonary and critical care physician, and an award-winning educator who leads Harvard Medical School’s global portfolio of external education programs. As Dean for External Education, he has helped expand the reach of HMS faculty through innovative online learning experiences, such as HMX and HealthXcelerate. His work focuses on the intersection of medicine, education, and technology.
Meet Your Mentors
Throughout your Pre-College Online Certificate Program experience, you can expect to receive guidance and support from a mentor who is well-versed in your course’s medical science subject. They’ll reach out to you regularly through the online Canvas inbox as you make your way through the program, help keep you on track to receive your Certificate of Completion, and are available to answer your course-related questions. Their purpose is to motivate, encourage, and inspire you with the confidence needed to succeed academically in the program. Learn more about your course mentors below.
Allie
Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Affairs as well as a Master of Science in Medical Physiology. Allie currently works as a practicing OB/GYN physician in North Carolina and has been featured in national media outlets as an expert birth doula. Allie is excited to help students navigate this unique opportunity to gain an inside perspective into the medical field and learn material traditionally discussed in medical school.
How To Apply:
It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Just provide some basic information and tell us why you wish to take this program.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided application process. It should take only a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Admissions
Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you're accepted? Find answers to your questions here.
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- 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.
