| |
Apr 10, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
2026-2027 Catalog
SJV PRIME+ | BS to MD Program
|
|
The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) PRIME+ BS/MD program is a partnership between UC Merced, UCSF Fresno, and UCSF. This critical new program will educate and support the SJV’s future physicians in advancing health equity and the health of communities in the SJV.
SJV PRIME+ is a workforce development model for newly-incoming, first-time-freshman to become a doctor for the San Joaquin Valley of California. An SJV PRIME+ scholar completing this medical education program receives their medical degree (MD) from UCSF School of Medicine, after obtaining a Bachelor of Science from UC Merced and finishing medical training at UCSF Fresno.
Students enrolled in the SJV PRIME+ BS/MD program are required to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in one of four qualifying majors. These guidelines detail specific policies by chosen major and they encompass factors like selecting courses, meeting prerequisites, determining grading standards, and other crucial directives tailored to majors:
- Bioengineering, Biomedical Instrumentation Emphasis, B.S.
- Bioengineering, Biotechnology Emphasis, B.S.
- Biological Sciences, Developmental Biology Emphasis, B.S.
- Biological Sciences, Human Biology Emphasis, B.S.
- Biological Sciences, Molecular and Cell Biology Emphasis, B.S.
- Chemistry, Biological Chemistry Emphasis, B.S.
- Public Health, Pre-Med Emphasis, B.S.
|
Admissions Criteria
To apply to the SJV PRIME+ Program, you must be a current high school senior who has close ties to the SJV community, feel certain you want to be a physician and be committed to remaining in the SJV to practice medicine. To be accepted, students must have a strong academic record, a demonstrated interest in health care, and be dedicated to their SJV community. In addition, students must meet all UC Merced acceptance criteria. For more information about the admissions criteria and application process for the SJV PRIME+ BS to MD program please visit this website meded.ucmerced.edu/how-to-apply. Transfer Unit Protocol
It is important to note that the SJV PRIME+ Program adheres to a distinct protocol that diverges from UC Merced’s general transfer unit policies. UC Merced courses are highly rigorous and frequently exceed the difficulty of transferable courses. It is essential for SJV PRIME+ students to experience this level of rigor to ensure their success in medical school. All courses required for the SJV PRIME+ MedEd CORE and all courses required for the student’s major must be taken at UC Merced. Students with AP/College credits for math (e.g., Calculus) may opt to repeat that course at UC Merced or select a higher-level course in that field (e.g., Multi-Variable Calculus, Linear Algebra). However, students may not use AP/College credits to be exempt from any MedEd Core or UC Merced required major courses. Transfer Unit Guidelines*: - Transferable courses can count toward General Education (GE) requirements and toward the 120 units required for the bachelor’s degree. However, a transfer course may not be used to fulfill a required major course or a required course in the MedEd CORE.
- A student’s grade point average is computed on courses undertaken in the University of California; therefore, transfer units taken outside of the University of California will not be factored into a student’s grade point average.
- These guidelines are specific to the SJV PRIME+ BS/MD program and may vary from other campus program protocols and policies.
Program Requirements
- Students must graduate from UC Merced with an approved major within 4 academic years.
- Students must successfully complete the Med Ed Core.
- Students must achieve BCPM & cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.7 by end of year 3.
- Interval review of each student’s academic record will be overseen by the SJV PRIME+ School of Medicine Readiness Committee (SRC) starting after year 1 to ensure students maintain competitiveness for the UCSF School of Medicine (SOM). Students not meeting the minimum GPA will receive mentorship and support to improve their GPA in the ensuing semester.
- Students must meet UC Merced’s residency requirement.
- Students must complete 24 of the last 36 units in residence in the school at the University of California in which the degree is to be earned.
- Students must uphold standards outlined in the professionalism policy.
- Students must complete the following requirements for community engagement.
- Receive a passing grade in Introduction to Medical Learning Year 2 courses:
MED 020: Introduction to Medical Learning: Introduction to Community Engagement (Fall) MED 021: Introduction to Medical Learning: Assessing Community Needs (Spring) b. Complete 10 service-learning activities as part of the Intro to Medical Learning year 2 course. c. Complete and present a community engaged research project as part of the Intro to Medical Learning year 2 course d. Complete four experiential learning blocks across years 2-3 - Students must complete the Baccalaureate Research Experience (BRE) requirement by engaging in primary research for no fewer than two consecutive semesters, for credit, and are required to publicly present their research findings at the SJV PRIME+ symposium by the conclusion of their fourth academic year.
- Completion of the SJV PRIME+ Procedures for Advancement to UCSF SoM by June 30 following the third year. This includes the submission of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application and an abbreviated interview with a UCSF SoM committee.
|
|
|
