Students & Residents

AMCAS® Course Classification Guide

The American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) Course Classification Guide provides examples of how courses are often categorized.

 
Each course in the AMCAS application must be classified strictly on the primary content of the course. You are responsible for selecting the correct course classification, but AMCAS reserves the right to change classifications if the assigned classification clearly does not apply.

In the event that you are unable to comfortably classify a course, or in the case of interdisciplinary courses, refer to the description of the course on your school's Web site or consult with your Pre-health Advisor to choose the most appropriate classification.

The following guide provides examples of how courses are often categorized. This guide is also available in a printer-friendly PDF format.

BCPM Courses (Science)

Biology (BIOL)

Anatomy
Biology
Biophysics
Biotechnology
Botany
Cell Biology
Ecology
Entomology
Genetics
Histology
Immunology
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Neuroscience
Physiology
Zoology
 

Chemistry (CHEM)

Biochemistry
Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Thermodynamics
 

Physics (PHYS)

Astronomy
Physics
 

Mathematics (MATH)

Applied Mathematics
Biostatistics
Mathematics
Statistics
 

AO Courses (All Other)

Behavioral & Social Sciences (BESS)

Anthropology
Economics
Family Studies
Psychology
Sociology
 

Business (BUSI)

Accounting
Finance
Human Resource Studies
Management
Marketing
Organizational Studies
 

Communications (COMM)

Journalism
Media Production & Studies
TV, Video, & Audio
 

Computer Science & Technology (COMP)

Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Information Systems
Telecommunications
 

Education (EDUC)

Counseling & Personnel Services
Curriculum & Instruction
Educational Administration
Educational Policy
Health Education
Human Development
Physical Education (except sports courses)
Special Education
 

Engineering (ENGI)

Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
 

English Language & Literature (ENGL)

Composition & Rhetoric
Creative Writing
Literature
 

Fine Arts (ARTS)

Art
Art History
Dance
Fine Arts
Music
Photography
Theatre
 

Foreign Languages, Linguistics, & Literature (FLAN)

American Sign Language
Comparative Literature
Foreign Language(s) & Literature
Linguistics
 

Government, Political Science, & Law (GOVT)

Criminology & Criminal Justice
Government
International Relations & Studies
Law/Legal Studies
Political Science
Public Affairs & Policy
Urban Policy & Planning
 

Health Sciences (HEAL)

Allied Health
Chiropractic
Dentistry
Hearing & Speech Studies
Hospital Administration
Kinesiology
Nursing
Nutrition
Occupational Therapy
Optometry
Osteopathy
Psychiatry
Physical Therapy
Physician Assistant
Public Health
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sports Medicine
Veterinary Medicine
 

History (HIST)

History
 

Natural & Physical Sciences (NPSC)

Agriculture
Animal & Avian Sciences
Environmental Science & Policy
Forestry
Geography
Geology
Horticulture
Landscape Architecture
Meteorology
Natural Resources
Oceanography
 

Other (OTHR)

Architecture
Library Science
Military Science
Sports (tennis, golf, aerobics, etc.)
 

Philosophy & Religion (PHIL)

Ethics
Logic
Philosophy
Religion
Theology
 

Special Studies (SSTU)

Afro-American Studies
American Studies
Gender Studies
 
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2023 AMCAS® Application

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