Prehealth Professional Program

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Program Description

Students planning to attend medical (allopathic or osteopathic), dental, pharmacy, veterinary, or optometry school are not required to complete a particular undergraduate major. In fact, most health professional schools state that students can be admitted after completing 90 semester units of college credit that includes a set of specified courses. However, the reality is that most students who are accepted to health professional schools earn a bachelor's degree prior to admission. A majority of students applying to health professional schools major in biological sciences or chemistry. However, the most important criterion in selecting a major is that you have a real interest in the field.

The pre-health professional advising patterns described in this section are not majors. For example, Sacramento State does not offer a "Pre-med major." Instead, the advising patterns identify the set of courses that must be completed before admission to particular types of health professional schools. In the case of some majors (e.g., Biological Sciences and Chemistry) there is considerable overlap in course requirements. However, the courses can be taken along with any major (e.g., English, Philosophy, Psychology, etc.) and used to satisfy General Education or elective requirements for the baccalaureate degree.

The common set of courses recommended for all of the medical-related professional schools covered in this section are listed below. Additional requirements for specific health professional schools follow the list of recommended core curriculum. It is important to note that requirements for a particular type of professional school (e.g., Dental School) may differ from one university to another, and that requirements are subject to change. The requirements listed in this section are those identified by most universities offering the identified professional program. Therefore, the lists may include courses that are not required by a particular university and may omit a course that is required by another university. It is strongly recommended that students interested in applying to professional schools contact one of the advisors listed in this section for assistance in planning their programs. It is also strongly recommended that students visit the Web sites of the universities they plan to apply to in order to be sure that they meet all requirements.

All health professional schools require strong academic ability and a good foundation in the sciences. In addition, good problem solving ability, effective oral and written communication skills, an awareness of interpersonal dynamics, an appreciation for cultural diversity, and an understanding of health care issues are important. Therefore, in addition to science courses, pre-health professional students should take general education courses that will enrich their non-science preparation in these areas.

It is also crucial that students have volunteer experience related to their professional goals. Such experience will provide more insight into how well suited you are to the work setting you are considering. Academic credit may be received for volunteer work by seeing an advisor and registering for BIO 195.

For more information about the Pre-Health Professional Program, please click here.

Contact Information

Robert Crawford, Biological Sciences
Humboldt Hall 211D
916) 278-6360
Email: Robert Crawford

Enid Gonzalez-Orta, Biological Sciences
Humboldt Hall 211F
(916) 278-6438
Email: Enid Gonzalez-Orta

Brett Holland, Biological Sciences
Sequoia Hall 120C
(916) 278-7678
Email: Brett Holland

Jennifer Lundmark, Biological Sciences
Sequoia Hall 314
(916) 278-6569
Email: Jennifer Lundmark

Hao Nguyen, Biological Sciences
Humboldt Hall 211D
(916) 278-6569
Email: Hao Nguyen

Adam Rechs, Biological Sciences
Sequoia Hall 120B
(916) 278-6244
Email: Adam Rechs

Rosalee Sprowls, Biological Sciences
Sequoia Hall 310
(916) 278-7391
Email: Rosalee Sprowls

Christina Strandgaard, Biological Sciences
Sequoia Hall 308
(916) 278-7152
Email: Christina Strandgaard

Mary McCarthy-Hintz, Chemistry
Sequoia Hall 538A
(916) 278-4534
Email: Mary McCarthy-Hintz

Kathie McReynolds, Chemistry
Sequoia Hall 534
(916) 278-6551
Email: Kathie McReynolds

James Miranda, Chemistry
Sequoia Hall 420
(916) 278-6189
Email: James Miranda

Linda Roberts, Chemistry
Sequoia Hall 508
(916) 278-3892
Email: Linda Roberts

Tom Savage, Chemistry
Sequoia Hall 510
(916) 278-3918
Email: Tom Savage