Last updated on January 9th, 2026 at 06:32 am

Program Overview & Institution Identity

Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport (LSU Health Shreveport) stands as the premier medical education institution in northern Louisiana and one of only three allopathic medical schools in the state. Established in 1969, this mature institution has been educating healthcare professionals for over fifty years, consistently producing graduates who excel in academia, private practice, and industry.

Program Duration and Structure

LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport offers a traditional 4-year MD program leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree. The curriculum follows a modern, system-based learning approach that integrates basic science and clinical training from the very first semester.

Location and Campus

Located in Shreveport, Louisiana, the school operates on an urban campus serving the broader north Louisiana region. The Shreveport-Bossier area offers students an affordable cost of living – the lowest in Louisiana according to regional economic reports – while providing access to diverse clinical experiences across multiple healthcare systems.

Accreditation Status

LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine holds full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the official accrediting body for MD programs in the United States. The school received its most recent full accreditation in March 2025, with the next review scheduled for academic year 2029-2030. This accreditation ensures that students receive education meeting the highest national standards and are eligible for residency matching and medical licensure.

Ranking and Recognition

While specific ranking information varies by publication, LSU Shreveport is recognized for its strong commitment to rural healthcare training and community service. The school has gained particular recognition for its emphasis on primary care education and its successful residency match rates, with 61% of recent graduates entering primary care specialties.

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Admission Requirements

Academic Prerequisites

Minimum Degree Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
• Minimum of 90 acceptable credit hours at time of matriculation
• All coursework must be completed with grades of C or better

Required Courses:

Course	Semester Hours
Biological Science	12
Chemistry (including 3+ hours Biochemistry lecture)	12
Physics (with laboratory)	8
English	6
Statistics	3
Humanities	12

Note: Psychology and Sociology courses may count for no more than one-third of the Humanities requirement.

Recommended Courses:

• Calculus and additional mathematics
• Cell Biology, Histology, Microbiology
• Developmental Biology, Immunology, Neuroscience
• Genetics, Molecular Biology, Physiology

GPA Requirements

While LSU Shreveport doesn’t specify a minimum GPA requirement, successful applicants typically demonstrate strong academic performance:

• Average Total GPA: 3.77–3.82
• Average Science GPA: 3.71–3.75
• Competitive Range: Students should aim for 3.7+ to be competitive

The school calculates both overall GPA and BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) GPA in their evaluation process.

Standardized Testing

MCAT Requirements:

• MCAT scores must be no more than 3 years old at time of matriculation
• For 2026 entry: Test dates from January 2022 through September 2025 accepted
• Average MCAT Score: 507 total
• Section Breakdown for Recent Class:
  • Biological & Biochemical Foundations: 127
  • Chemical & Physical Foundations: 126
  • Critical Analysis & Reasoning: 126
  • Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations: 128

Additional Testing:
LSU Shreveport does not require CASPer or AAMC PREview tests, though they will consider PREview scores if submitted.

Extracurricular Activities & Experience Requirements

LSU Shreveport uses a holistic evaluation approach that considers:

• Clinical Experience: Direct patient care exposure highly valued
• Research Experience: While not required, research background is beneficial
• Community Service: Strong emphasis on service to underserved communities
• Leadership Activities: Demonstrated leadership capabilities
• Louisiana Connections: Strong preference for applicants with ties to Louisiana or the region

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Application Process & Timeline

Application System

LSU Shreveport participates in AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) for primary applications.

Key Deadlines

• AMCAS Application Deadline: November 1, 2025
• Secondary Application: Typically sent within 2–4 weeks of AMCAS verification
• MCAT Deadline: September 2025 for 2026 entry

Required Documents

1. Primary AMCAS Application including:
   • Official transcripts through verification service
   • MCAT scores
   • Personal statement
   • Work and activities descriptions
   • Letters of recommendation
2. Secondary Application (school-specific) including:
   • Additional essays (typically 2–3 prompts)
   • Louisiana connection essay (for non-residents)

Letters of Recommendation

Specific requirements not detailed in available information, but typically schools require 2–3 letters from science faculty and 1 from non-science faculty or professional mentors.

Interview Process

• Interview Format: Traditional interview format
• Interview Season: Typically September through March
• Statistics: Approximately 325 interviews extended from over 4,400 applications
• Interview Options: Both virtual and in-person interviews may be available

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Admission Statistics & Success Rates

Overall Acceptance Rate

LSU Shreveport receives approximately 4,400+ applications for 150 positions, resulting in an acceptance rate of roughly 3.4%, making it highly competitive among public medical schools.

Class Profile (Class of 2028)

• Class Size: 150 students
• Total Applications: 4,434
• Interviews Extended: 325
• Gender Distribution: 54% Female, 46% Male
• Age Range: 21–32 years (Average: 23 years)
• Underrepresented in Medicine: 13%
• Science Majors: 86%
• States Represented: 8 states of legal residence
• Countries Represented: 9 countries
• Colleges Represented: 40 different institutions

Academic Statistics

• Average Total GPA: 3.77
• Average BCPM GPA: 3.71
• Average MCAT: 507 total score

Louisiana Resident Preference

As a public institution, LSU Shreveport shows preference for Louisiana residents, though they do accept out-of-state students. Recent application data shows approximately 643 applications from Louisiana residents.

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Tuition & Financial Information

Current Tuition Rates (2025–2026)

• Louisiana Residents: $29,375 per year
• Non-Louisiana Residents: $61,197 per year
• Application Fees: $50 (AMCAS) + Secondary application fee

Total Cost of Attendance

The total 4-year program costs are estimated at:

• Louisiana Residents: ~$117,500 (tuition only)
• Non-Louisiana Residents: ~$244,788 (tuition only)

When including living expenses, books, equipment, and other fees, total cost of attendance typically ranges from $150,000–200,000 for residents and significantly higher for non-residents.

Financial Aid and Support

• 81% of students receive financial aid
• Average Debt at Graduation: $165,434 (2022 data)
• National Comparison: LSU Shreveport graduates have lower average debt than national averages ($179,679 public schools, $187,229 private schools)

Financial Aid Options:

• Federal Direct Loans
• Need-based financial aid programs
• Merit-based scholarships
• Work-study opportunities
• State-specific aid programs for Louisiana residents

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Curriculum & Program Structure

Program Duration

LSU Shreveport follows a traditional 4-year MD curriculum structure with distinct pre-clinical and clinical phases.

Educational Philosophy

The curriculum emphasizes:

• System-based learning integrating basic science and clinical medicine
• Early patient interaction beginning in the first semester
• Standardized patient experiences throughout training
• Clinical skills development from day one
• Community service and rural healthcare exposure

Pre-Clinical Years (MS1–MS2)

Year 1 Structure:

• 5 integrated core courses in first four months
• 11 system-based courses covering:
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Pulmonary system
  • Neuroscience
  • And other major body systems

Assessment: Pass/Fail grading system for all pre-clinical courses

Key Features:

• Multi-departmental, multi-disciplinary teaching teams
• Integration of basic science with introductory clinical medicine
• Physical diagnosis skills training
• Standardized and clinical patient exposures

Clinical Training (MS3–MS4)

Students progress to clinical rotations in their third and fourth years, gaining hands-on experience across:

• Internal Medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• Family Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Various specialty electives

Special Programs

• MD/PhD Programs: Joint degrees available with LSU School of Graduate Studies and Louisiana Tech
• Research Distinction Track: For students interested in enhanced research training
• American Medical Student Research Journal: Student-founded publication for research dissemination

Residency Preparation

Match Results:

• Recent match rates are strong with 61% entering primary care specialties
• 49% of graduates remain in Louisiana for residency training
• Strong performance on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 examinations

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Pre-Medical Preparation

Undergraduate Program Recommendations

Academic Planning:

• All undergraduate majors welcome (86% of current students are science majors)
• Strong foundation in required science courses
• Balance between natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities
• Maintain competitive GPA (aim for 3.7+)

MCAT Preparation

• Optimal Timing: Spring of junior year
• Target Score: Aim for 507+ total score
• Retake Policy: Schools accept scores from multiple attempts
• Preparation: Comprehensive preparation recommended given competitive nature

Clinical Experience

Recommendations:

• Direct patient care experience highly valued
• Hospital volunteering
• Clinical research participation
• Shadowing physicians in various specialties
• Focus on primary care and rural healthcare settings if possible

Research Experience

While not required, research experience strengthens applications:

• Basic science research
• Clinical research projects
• Public health research
• Community-based participatory research
• Publications beneficial but not required

Louisiana Connections

For non-Louisiana residents, developing ties to the state/region is important:

• Volunteer work in Louisiana communities
• Research collaborations with Louisiana institutions
• Family or educational connections to the region
• Understanding of Louisiana’s healthcare needs

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Frequently Asked Questions