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:
- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy (3+4)
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- 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)
Canisius students in the Sports and Exercise Health Care major meeting all requirements are guaranteed admissions to the D'Youville University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), or Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) programs. Contact the Pre-Medical Center for specific requirments for these programs.
Students are also supported in applications to Joint and Early Acceptance programs open to students from all colleges.
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 should notify Canisius of interest in participating in the following programs (no application is made directly to the professional school)
University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy
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
Freshmen students should notify Canisius of interest in participating in the following programs (no application is made directly to the professional school)- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy
Canisius sophomores may apply to:
- 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 should notify Canisius of interest in the following programs. ( No Applications are made directly to the professional school)
- University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy
- D'Youville University Physical Therapy Program
- D’Youville University Chiropractic Program
- D’Youville University Osteopathic Therapy Program
International students may apply to:
- SUNY Upstate Medical University: International Students may apply (but note this program is 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)
- D'Youville University Physical Therapy Program*
- D’Youville University Chiropractic Program*
- D’Youville University Osteopathic Therapy Program*
*licensing requirements vary by state