You’ve earned your bachelor’s degree in biomedical or behavioral science. Now what?
If you’re considering graduate school, a research career, or a future in health sciences, you may have come across the terms postbaccalaureate, postbac, or PREP programs. Postbaccalaureate Research Education Programs (PREP) give you an opportunity to build on your undergraduate education while gaining additional skills, experience, and preparation for your next step.
These programs are paid positions and offered by many institutions nationwide. Depending on your goals, you can find programs designed to strengthen your academic record, provide hands-on research or clinical experience, or prepare you for a graduate or professional degree.
Three Types of Postbac Programs
Postbac programs generally fall into three categories: clinical intensive, research intensive, and academic intensive. Understanding the differences can help you identify the type of experience that best fits your goals.
1. Clinical-Intensive Programs
If you’re planning to pursue medical, dental, pharmacy, or another health profession, a clinical-intensive program can help you gain direct experience in a healthcare setting. You may work with patients, develop practical healthcare skills, and take coursework that strengthens your knowledge of the health sciences.
These programs are often structured around preparing you for professional school, including meeting prerequisites or preparing for entrance exams. If your goal is to strengthen your healthcare experience and professional school application, this may be the right path for you.
2. Research-Intensive Programs
If you’re interested in scientific discovery and considering a research-focused graduate degree, a research-intensive postbac program may be a strong fit.
You’ll typically spend much of your time working in a laboratory or research group, gaining hands-on experience while working closely with faculty mentors. Depending on the program, you may contribute to ongoing studies, develop research skills, analyze data, present your findings at scientific conferences, or contribute to publications.
You may also take advanced coursework designed to strengthen your scientific foundation and analytical skills. This combination of mentored research and academic development can help you determine whether research is the right career path while preparing you for graduate programs such as a PhD.
3. Academic-Intensive Programs
Academic-intensive programs are designed primarily to strengthen your academic record. You might use one to retake courses, complete prerequisites, improve your GPA, or fill gaps in your undergraduate coursework.
These programs often include structured coursework along with academic advising, tutoring, or other student support. They are particularly common among students preparing for professional schools, although some students pursuing graduate degrees may also benefit from this type of preparation.
Unlike many research-intensive postbac positions, academic-intensive programs may require you to pay tuition and fees, so it’s important to understand the financial structure before applying.
Learn About KYAD-PREP at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
How Are PREP Programs Structured?
The categories aren’t always separate. Many programs combine elements of research, academic development, and professional training. For example, you might find a program that combines advanced coursework with intensive research and faculty mentoring. Another might emphasize research while also giving you opportunities to strengthen your academic record.
Unlike returning to school for another degree, most postbac research programs are paid positions. Typically, you are hired as an employee of the institution supporting the research program. Instead of paying tuition to participate, you receive a salary while working as part of a research team. Your specific employment arrangement, salary, benefits, and appointment length will vary by program.
Begin exploring and applying to research PREP programs during the final year of your undergraduate degree. Starting about 6–12 months before graduation gives you time to identify programs, gain relevant research experience, prepare application materials, and meet application deadlines. If possible, searching for programs even earlier during your undergraduate education can strengthen your preparation and help you determine whether a research-focused career is right for you.
As you explore your options, look beyond the program title. Consider how your time will be divided, what type of mentoring you’ll receive, whether you’ll conduct independent or team-based research, what coursework is required, and what opportunities you’ll have to present or publish your work.
The best postbac program for you is the one that fills the gap between where you are now and where you want to go next.
PREP Program Eligibility: Learn what you need to apply for a postbac research program.
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KYAD-PREP is an NIH grant-funded research program for postbaccalaureates to explore research careers in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Join our email list to be notified of program updates and notifications.
This article is based on the webinar "How Postbac Programs Can Supercharge Your Career", presented by Brittany Rice, PhD.