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Medical preceptorship

Medical preceptorship

Thank you for your interest in the Oregon State University Medical Preceptorship Program. Due to constraints, we will not be accepting new applications for the Fall 2023 cohort. We will plan to update this page in August 2023 with more details about the resumption of the program. If you have questions, please e-mail Cody Duncan at cody.duncan@oregonstate.edu


The medical preceptorship (one credit, graded P/N) provides students with the opportunity to shadow a physician for one academic term. While participating, students shadow their physician preceptor for a minimum of 27 hours, and are permitted to shadow as many hours as they can.

The preceptorship is competitive, and applicants should meet the following criteria:

  1. Junior or Senior class standing (preference is given to students applying and/or graduating within the next year.) This opportunity is limited to current OSU students seeking their first bachelor’s degree.
  2. Completion of sophomore level pre-medical coursework (general biology, general and organic chemistry)
  3. 3.25 cumulative OSU GPA
  4. This experience is intended for students with minimal or no previous shadowing experience.

If you do not meet all of these criteria, you are encouraged to wait to apply.

Application process

Please submit your completed preceptorship application form to Cody Duncan (cody.duncan@oregonstate.edu) by 7:00pm on the Friday of Week 2 the term before you wish to participate. For example, if you wish to participate in Winter term, you would submit your application by Week 2 of Fall term. Late applications will not be considered. If you meet minimum requirements, you will be invited to participate in a group interview.

Program requirements

If you are accepted into the program, you will need to complete an orientation module, and meet the requirements of the medical facility to which you are assigned. This may include submitting immunization records (including evidence of COVID-19 vaccination), sufficiently passing a 10-panel drug screen and background check, and attending additional training. Because the program is competitive, students are encouraged to seek out opportunities to shadow physicians in their hometown or through other channels. Do not rely on the medical preceptorship to gain the necessary shadowing experience to apply to medical school.

Participants are responsible for any expenses associated with their placement in a clinic, including the cost for background check, drug screening, additional vaccinations and so forth. Please do not complete these screenings ahead of being accepted into the program. In some instances, previous drug screens or background checks may fulfill clinic requirements.

Deadlines

Medical Preceptorship applications are due by 7 p.m. Friday of Week 2 one term before you wish to participate. For example, if you wish to complete the preceptorship in winter term, submit your application by Friday of Week 2 in fall term. You may refer to the Academic Calendar for the start dates of the academic terms.