Veterans and Active Duty Military
The UC Riverside School of Medicine welcomes active duty, reservists, veterans, and their dependents to apply for our medical education (MD), biomedical sciences (MS and PhD), and master of public health (MPH) programs.
We value service-connected members and their dependents as important members of our diverse community and part of our mission to improve the health of the medically underserved.
Come join a community that seeks to support your unique needs while you pursue a career in healthcare. Not sure of what career is best for you? Scroll down to find information about our Pathways Programs.
Click the buttons below to go to see admissions information about our programs.
My motivation to leave the military and start a career in medicine happened after I was no longer deployed. I needed to position myself in a place where I could best support the veteran population through primary care and the UCR School of Medicine, and its mission, is correcting that problem and closing that gap.
Kevin Westbrook, MD - United States Army (Ret.), Special Operations Combat Medic, 3rd Ranger Battalion - Class of 2021
- Class of '29
I applied to UCR SOM through the Thomas Haider Early Assurance Program because I wanted to attend a medical school that will support my mission to serve the veterans in my community. UCR SOM is best known for its mission to serve the underserved, so I know that I belong at UCR SOM."
Sgt. Emily Li, California Army National Guard - Class of 2029
- Class of '18
Having completed both my undergraduate degree and medical school in Riverside, I'm so thankful for UCR providing me with the strong foundation and skills necessary to serve as an active duty physician in the US Air Force.
Captain Anthony Choy, MD - US Air Force - Class of 2018
Links to Resources for Veterans
Applying to Medical School
Financial Aid Resources
Benefits that you or your dependents may be eligible for:
- Yellow Ribbon Program
- Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31; VR&E)
- CalVet
- UCR VA Benefits Certifying Official (VASCO) Information
For those seeking to continue to serve or forge a career at the VA:
More Resources
Summer Biomedical Sciences Internship Opportunities
Our Biomedical Sciences program has an internship program with the US Military Academy at West Point that brings current cadets to the campus for multi-week internships. Are you at a service academy and interested in a summer internship? Contact Scott Pegan, PhD, via email.
Employment Opportunities
Already have your degree? Come and join our team. Check out our staff and faculty employment opportunities.
Pathway Programs Resources
The School of Medicine's Pathway Programs can be an excellent place to start for veterans and their dependents seeking to pursue a degree in medicine, biomedical sciences, or public health.
Future Physician Leaders (FPL)
Future Physician Leaders offers a summer program for premedical students who are dedicated to improving the health of the community and who are from Inland Southern California. The program promotes life-long mentorship and aims to support premedical students through their college journey to medical school.
Ideal for: Veterans currently in community college.
Undergraduate student veterans enrolled at UCR.
Veterans who attended local universities in Inland Southern California.
Veterans exploring postbaccalaureate opportunities before applying to medical schools.
Veterans who are taking a gap year.
California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP)
The California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP), is a pathway that supports students starting at the community college until they enter medical school. Students enrolled in CMSP will benefit from multiple services and activities throughout their journey to a career in medicine.
Ideal for: Veterans currently in community college.
Health Coaches Program (HCP)
The Health Coach Program at the UC Riverside School of Medicine is a community-based collaborative aimed at reducing the number of patients with uncontrolled chronic conditions by training health coaches to support patient care by working with integral healthcare teams in a clinical setting.
Ideal for: Veterans exploring postbaccalaureate opportunities before applying to medical schools.
Jumpstart
JumpStart is a one-week commuter Pathway Program at the UCR School of Medicine for recent high school graduates who will become incoming first-year students at UCR.
Ideal for: Veterans who are entering UCR direct from high school.
Medical Scholars Program (MSP)
The Medical Scholars Program is designed to help UCR undergraduate students prepare for careers in health or biomedical sciences. Students in the MSP distinguish themselves through their leadership, commitment to program goals, and desire to provide service to underserved and diverse communities.
Ideal for: Undergraduate student veterans enrolled at UCR.
News about Veterans in the SOM Community
- Medical school dean to serve on VA National Academic Affiliations Council
- Biomedical scientist promoted to lieutenant colonel
- Building Bridges between Medical Research and the Military
- Three West Point Cadets to Participate in Inaugural Research Program
- From Fatigues to Scrubs - Veterans seek to increase their numbers at the SOM