Prerequisite Coursework

Listed below are courses required to be considered as a candidate for admission into the program.*

  • Two semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology with Labs (4 SCH each for a minimum of 8 SCH combined including labs).
    • To meet this requirement take Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 with lab PLUS Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 with lab –OR– take Human Anatomy with lab PLUS Human Physiology. Human Anatomy and Physiology courses must cover all organ systems. Applied Anatomy and Physiology courses that do not, will not be recognized as fulfilling the prerequisite course requirement. Comparative, Survey, Elementary, Mammalian, Vertebrate, and/or Functional Anatomy; Exercise, Applied, Advanced, Survey, Vertebrate, and/or Mammalian Physiology courses may not replace the Human Anatomy and/or Human Physiology requirements. Please contact us to verify a certain course meets our requirements. *Human Anatomy and Physiology courses course must be 5 years old or less.
  • Two semesters of Biology, each with labs (4 SCH each for a minimum of 8 SCH combined including labs in addition to the above A&P requirement)

  • One semester of Microbiology with lab (3-5 SCH includng lab) - Many of the Clinical, Medical, Introductory or Survey Microbiology courses will not meet our prerequisite requirement. *Microbiology course must be 5 years old or less.
  • One semester of Chemistry with lab (4 SCH including lab))

  • One semester of Biochemistry with lab or Organic Chemistry with lab (4 SCH including lab in addition to the above chemistry requirement) - Biochemistry preferred

  • One semester of Genetics with or without lab (3 SCH in addition to above requirements)

  • One semester of Statistics or Biostatistics (3 SCH): Statistics courses within social or natural science departments (e.g., psychology, sociology) are acceptable.

  • One semester of Medical Terminology (1 SCH)

NOTE: Up to (3) three of the prerequisite courses can be pending completion by the time of application. At least (1) one Human Anatomy course must be completed at time of application. Applicants must be enrolled in any remaining courses to ensure completion of all course prerequisites must be completed and verified prior to matriculation in May. Beyond the prerequisite courses, applicants can still be completing other courses leading to their bachelor’s degree but must have all courses completed prior to matriculation. Additionally, if accepted conditionally into the program, candidates with outstanding courses must receive a minimum passing grade of “C” or better and a combined cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all outstanding courses. If only one course is remaining, that course grade must be a “B” or better to meet the cumulative GPA requirement for outstanding courses. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the SHS and PA Program has amended its policies regarding admissions to accept pass/fail grades for mandatory prerequisites in the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2020 only. 

Important

  • All courses must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
  • To ensure standardization and fairness among applicants, we are unable to waive any prerequisite course requirement for any applicant.
  • Any courses completed at an institution using a quarter credit system must be converted to semester credit hours using the following formula: one semester credit hour (SCH) is equivalent to .67 quarter credit hours; 1 quarter credit hour/1.5 = .67 semester credit hours.
  • CLEP or Advanced Placement Courses – CLEP examination or advanced placement credit may not be used to meet any of the School’s requirements. Experiential learning is also not an acceptable substitute for prerequisite requirements.
  • It is preferred that prerequisite courses are completed within 5 years of application to the program. Will consider case by case if greater than 5 years, with the exception of Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology. 
  • Although not required, the Program strongly recommends the following courses as preparation:
    • Cell Biology
    • Cell Physiology
    • Epidemiology
    • Immunology
    • Pharmacology
    • Virology
    • Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Human Growth & Development
    • Human Sexuality
    • Medical Ethics
    • Sociology and/or Cultural Anthropology
    • Physics
    • Quantitative Analysis
    • Expository Writing
    • English Composition
    • Technical Writing
    • Communications
    • Humanties