What is the UMKC BA MD program?
The UMKC BA MD program allows high-achieving high school students, who desire a career in medicine, the opportunity to earn a B.A. and M.D. in 6 years. This program is one of less than five 6-year medical programs in the country available to exceptional high school students allowing them to major in biology, chemistry or liberal arts.
Why Choose the University of Missouri Kansas City BA MD Program?
- Because of the program’s shorter length, this is a great option for students committed to medicine and want to save 2 years from a traditional program
- The shorter duration and early exposure to medicine allow you to get a very early head start to your career
- Many medical students at UMKC come from the BA MD program so there is a sense of familiarity
- There is no MCAT requirement!
- Have the opportunity to major in a field of interest even if it is not in the basic sciences
Program Overview
For the first 2 years, you will spend most of the time completing coursework towards the baccalaureate degree at the UMKC Volker Campus and the rest of the them focusing on medical school coursework.
The BA degree includes general education/elective courses which students will have time to fulfill. More information about the curriculum can be found here as well as an overview of the program.

During the 3rd year of the program, students will spend much of their time at the Hospital Hill campus immersed in the basic science curriculum which generally occurs during the 1st year of medical school. Students will be a part of a new preceptor team and spend ½ day per week assisting and participating in the delivery of care at a number of outpatient clinics affiliated with the hospital.
Finally, in years 4-6, students return to the Volker Campus to finish coursework for the baccalaureate degree as well as the medical degree.
UMKC BA MD Application Requirements:
In order to apply for the UMKC 6-year med program:
- Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1160 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, and Math sections only) from a single test date or a 24 composite ACT score (SAT Subject Tests are not used for admission & Missouri residents are required to take the ACT)
- The minimum GPA for consideration is 3.0 with the average unweighted high school GPA for recently admitted students being a 3.9
- Applicants are considered based on ACT/SAT score, class rank and completion of 17 core requirements listed by the university (more information here)
- Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to academics which include participation in courses such AP, IB and honors level work, participation in school, community or other activities that demonstrate service and leadership along with early exposure to healthcare throughout high school
- Apply to UMKC through their specific application found here (not through Common App) and select “Medicine MD-Six Year Program” with all application materials due by Nov 1st
- Complete the Supplemental Application which includes a 500-word essay, short answer questions and space to list up to 10 health experiences and 10 other activities to demonstrate one’s commitment (see here)
- There is a required interview and state of residency is considered for admission
- A timeline of major application milestones is available as well as details regarding holistic review of all applications
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For retention in the UMKC BA MD program:
- Earn a minimum GPA of 2.8 in every semester
- NO MCAT examination is required
- The requirements differ based on student’s choice of field of study (chemistry, biology or liberal arts) and these can be found here under program overview
UMKC BA MD program acceptance rate:
- # of students who complete full application ~ 1000
- # of students who receive an interview ~ 350
- # of students who are accepted into the program – ~ 101-105 (60-65 from Missouri)
More information can be found on the FAQ’s page
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The Insider’s View
on University of Missouri Kansas City BA MD Curriculum
How to get accepted to the University of Missouri BA MD Program: In order to get accepted to University of Missouri’s BA MD program, do your research into the undergraduate curriculum, medical school curriculum, student life and extracurricular opportunities. We wrote a detailed overview of these various components so that you can see for yourself why you are a good fit for this medical school. Additionally, you can use this blog post as a launching point to learn about more opportunities.
Requirements for each field of study are found on the overview as well as a general calendar for all 6 years
University of Missouri Undergraduate Curriculum:
Again, students are encouraged to receive a BA degree, including pursuing a major that like English Literature.
A highlight of this program is the early clinical exposure incorporated into the program with experiences beginning within the 1st month. The medical school work is focused on building the fundamental skills of medical practice such as communication skills as well as learning the foundations of a patient centered interview. During the first 2 years, students are placed into groups of 10-12 students and have a precepting physician (docent) from the local hospital meet with them 2 hours a week to help students begin to hone their skills. This experience culminates in a week-long hospital team experience during the summer after the 2nd year to help students understand the roles of patient care professionals as they begin to enter more formal medical training.
University of Missouri Medical School Curriculum:
There are some key parts of the curriculum that allow students to fulfill requirements of both degrees including:
- A one-month rural Missouri preceptorship that provides experiences in societal and health care concerns unique to non-urban settings
- Two months a year, students their join preceptor teams for daily rounds on the hospital wards, known as the docent rotation
- Along with the remaining core clinical clerkships required of all medical students, these experiences constitute most of the final 2 years in the UMKC BA MD program
Advising:
Students receive academic advising during years 1-2 from an Education Team Coordinator who specializes in undergraduate student coursework. Upon promotion to year 3, a student is assigned a new coordinator who are with the student for the remainder of the program. Career counseling services from the medical school are incorporated into the six years of the program as well. Upperclassmen in the program are a great resource and are available for questions not only regarding academics but also extracurriculars.
What students are saying about University of Missouri, Kansas City
Quotes from the UMKC BA MD website - student profiles
Student Life
How to get accepted to the University of Missouri BA MD Program: Articulate how you will take advantage of opportunities at the UMKC during your undergraduate and your medical school years. Additionally, discuss how you will contribute to the community, including which extracurricular activities you hope to engage in.
University of Missouri Undergraduate Student Life:
- UMKC is largest public university Kansas City metropolitan area. It has an undergraduate enrollment of greater than 16,000 with an average class size of 26. The student-faculty ratio is 14:1
- It is tight-knit community with a diverse student population hailing from all over the US as well as over 85 countries. It also home to Kansas City’s only NCAA Division I university in 14 sports
- There are over 300 extracurricular organizations from the animal rescue society to the medieval studies society to dance to intramural sports as well as Greek life (Organizations)
- There is a rich history of community engagement stemming from its founding on the heels of the nation’s Great Depression
- Kansas City is a hidden gem in the Midwest with a rich cultural history and much to do within the city limits from museums, outdoor parks and a number of professional sports (here’s a list curated by one of the university’s alumni: Top Spots)
- There has to be separate bullet to talk about the food scene in Kansas City such as “First Fridays” which is a tradition in the Crossroads Arts District where food trucks and local artists and vendors come together on the 1st Friday of every month (First Fridays). And Kansas City is home to over 100 BBQ spots across the city with all types of BBQ, especially burnt ends
- Take a virtual tour: here
Medical School Student Life:
- One of the bedrocks of the school’s curriculum is the docent system which fosters a spirit of mentorship: students in the first year of medical school are paired with 3rd year students and remain together for 2 years until the older student graduates. Multiple pairs of students are assigned to a precepting physician where they spend ½ day a week assisting that physician in outpatient clinics (Docent system)
- Students begin the medical school curriculum in January of each year and have three different tracks which they can pursue with two of three allowing 5 months of time where students are not formally enrolled; there is ample opportunity to explore a wide variety of fields to find the one that aligns with one’s aspirations
- Most the students in each class come from the BA MD program so most students are already familiar with one another
- The accelerated curriculum keeps students engaged throughout their time at UMKC with a myriad of support systems and over 36 organizations at the medical school alone
Financial Aid
Years 1 and 2 of the UMKC BA MD program are considered undergraduate years. Therefore, you will apply through the University of Missouri undergraduate financial aid office. During the last 4 years of the program, you can apply for scholarships and financial aid through the School of Medicine. Learn more details and apply here.
Helpful Resources
Resources and Links:
Here are useful Cracking Med School Admissions resources:
- How To Write A Personal Statement For Medical School
- Pros and cons of BS MD Programs
Read our other popular school blogs here: