GPA Requirements

Grade Point Average Requirements

Most professional programs list required minimum Grade Point Averages (GPAs) for application to their programs. However, to be competitive, most applicants will need a significantly higher GPA than the minimum. You should consider both the minimum required GPA and the average GPA for students admitted to the programs you're interested in. This will allow you to assess the competitiveness of your application.

GPA Calculations

PlanMyDegree calculates several GPAs, including your UM System GPA, which includes all courses attempted at a University of Missouri System institution, as well as your total cumulative GPA, which includes all coursework, whether attempted within the UM system or through transfer courses. Professional programs will calculate additional GPAs for each application based upon the program's requirements and needs. 

To be competitive for pre-health programs, you will not only need a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher but also a biology, chemistry, physics and math (BCPM) GPA of 3.0 or higher. The BCPM GPA is also sometimes referred to as the prerequisite GPA for some professional programs. 

These GPA calculations are a critical component when considering your application. A strong GPA is an indication that you have established a strong academic foundation and will be well-prepared for a challenging professional program curriculum. 

Repeated Courses

Programs vary as to how they view repeated courses. In general, professional programs recognize that undergraduates are maturing as students. One or two terms of less than stellar academic performance followed by steady improvement can indicate the applicant's growth when reviewed by the admissions committee. 

If you have concerns about early academic performance or whether to repeat a course, you should discuss the situation with your academic and pre-professional advisors. Doing so can give you a better understanding of how this may or may not impact your competitiveness as an applicant. 

GPA Competitiveness

To help you and your advisor assess your academic performance and competitiveness as an applicant, review our Pre-Professional Eligibility Policy on the UMKC Catalog.

You can also use the UMKC GPA Calculator to estimate your future cumulative GPA based upon your current GPA.