Early Assurance Programs allow students to apply to professional schools earlier during the first two years of college, freeing them to take advantage of other learning opportunities during the typical application period. Combined (Joint) Degree Programs allow students to accelerate the time to their degrees, typically by completing three years at Canisius and four years in their professional studies, and earning both the Bachelor’s degree and the Professional Doctorate degree. Some programs specifically hold seats for Canisius students.
These programs help highly qualified Canisius students get an early start on the medical/health graduate school admissions process because they apply either at the same time they apply to Canisius while a senior in high school or during the freshman or sophomore year at Canisius. This provides the student time and flexibility during their undergraduate education to take advantage of such opportunities as studying abroad or gaining additional research experience.
Some programs (3+3 or 3+4) allow students to accelerate their education by completing three years at Canisius and three or four years in their professional studies, earning both the Bachelor's degree and the professional Doctorate degree in six or seven years (combined/joint degree). Other programs allow students to apply earlier than the typical application timeframe but students complete their undergraduate degree prior to beginning professional studies (early assurance program).
The Early Assurance Program and Combined/Joint Degree Program were instituted to:
- Allow students the freedom to take a broader range of classes to expand their knowledge.
- Alleviate the application pressure students feel over the course of undergraduate study.
- Allow time for other significant learning and service activities such as research or study abroad.
- Provide incentives to bright students to pursue medical and health professional school in this region.
- Encourage excellent pre-medical/pre-health students to become part of the extensive Canisius medical alumni network.
If a student is not accepted into the EAP or Joint Program, it will not diminish the student's future chances for a particular school. The student may apply in the traditional manner after junior or senior year.
Programs available to current Canisius students include:
- SUNY Upstate Medical University (4+4)
- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy (3+4)
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (3+4 or 4+4 – a 3+3 or 4+3 Primary Care Pathway is also available)
- LECOM School of Pharmacy (3+3, 3+4, or 4+4)
- D'Youville School of Pharmacy (3+4)
- LECOM School of Dental Medicine (4+4)
- State University of New York College of Optometry (3+4)
- Ontario Veterinary College/Guelph University (4+4 with limited 3+4 availability)
Advantages of the Combined (Joint) and Early Assurance Program
Each program has its own distinctive advantages. Examples include:
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical School
Once accepted, the student is not required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), and as long as the student maintains the required GPA, they will have a seat in LECOM's medical school.
Upstate Medical School, Syracuse, NY
Once accepted, the student must maintain a 3.50 GPA and must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) in the spring of their junior year. As long as they achieve a 509 on the MCAT they will have a seat in Upstate's Medical School.
LECOM College of Pharmacy
Once accepted, the student is not required to take the PCAT exam and may instead substitute a writing assessment.
Note: test scores and GPA requirements are subject to change and should always be verified prior to applying.
High school students may apply to both Canisius and the following programs:
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- LECOM School of Pharmacy
- LECOM School of Dental Medicine
- State University of New York College of Optometry
High school students may notify Canisius of interest in participating in the following programs (no applications are made directly to the professional school)
- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy
- Ontario Veterinary College/Guelph University
Canisius freshmen may apply to:
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- LECOM School of Pharmacy
- LECOM School of Dental Medicine
- State University of New York College of Optometry
High school students may notify Canisius of interest in participating in the following programs (no applications are made directly to the professional school)
- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy
- Ontario Veterinary College/Guelph University
Canisius sophomores may apply to:
- SUNY Upstate Medical University
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine*
- LECOM School of Pharmacy*
- D'Youville School of Pharmacy
- LECOM School of Dental Medicine*
- State University of New York College of Optometry
Sophomores may notify Canisius of interest in participating in the following programs (no applications are made directly to the professional school):
- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy
- Ontario Veterinary College/Guelph University
*Students who apply to LECOM during the sophomore year must select the 4+ option
International students may apply to:
- SUNY Upstate Medical University: International Students may apply (but note this program is very competitive)
- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy: International Students may apply (but note this program is very competitive)
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine : US Citizens and Permanent Residents only
- LECOM School of Pharmacy: US Citizens and Permanent Residents only
- LECOM School of Dental Medicine: US Citizens and Permanent Residents only
- State University of New York College of Optometry: International Students may apply (but note this program is very competitive)
- Ontario Veterinary College/Guelph University: International Students may apply (but note this program is very competitive)