SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
Prepare for a Career in the Health Professions
Health Professions
Advisor: Dr.
James Warren
814-898-6986; jtw4@psu.edu
If your career plans include a white coat, stethoscope, dental drill, eye chart, or even heartworm medication, consider the Health Pre-Professional Program at Penn State Behrend.
You will earn a degree in a standard major (not pre-med) while our faculty provide you excellent preparation for career positions as:
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Physicians
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Dentists
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Medical Technologists
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Optometrists
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Chiropractors
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Pharmacists
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Podiatrists
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Veterinarians
Penn State Behrend will provide you not only with a solid foundation in biology and the physical sciences, but also a support system for the application process to your selected professional school.
In addition, we offer a number of special and accelerated opportunities:
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An early assurance program with the Penn State College of Medicine
- 3 + 4" Accelerated Program In Optometry
What Courses to Take?
The major should provide the broad foundation necessary for understanding of basic subjects in medical studies. The program should include a good balance between science and non-science courses. It may also include supporting courses for admission requirements of particular medical or professional schools.
In most cases, a four-year Bachelor of Science degree, usually in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, is the suggested first step toward advanced education in medicine; between your required coursework and elective credits you should be able to complete all prerequisite courses required for graduate study.
In addition to offering depth and breadth of experience in the major you choose, having an undergraduate degree in a specific science-rather than a generic pre-med degree-gives you greater flexibility should your career plans change and you decide not to attend medical school.
The Association of American Medical Colleges indicates that most medical school applicants are in an area of science (65 percent, with majors in biology (47 percent) or chemistry (6 percent). Only 2 percent of medical school applicants are pre-medical majors. Among applicants from non-science areas (13 percent), the most common major was psychology (5 percent).
View sample schedule for Biology and Chemistry majors
Explore Your Career Options
When you begin studies with the goal of a career in a field of health care, you should explore as many different options as possible. This can provide alternative ways to make a career in health care a reality. Career alternatives are important since the national acceptance rate into medical schools is approximately 37%.
To help you with choosing a career, Penn State Behrend offers a Pre-Medical Seminar that focuses on the applications process and medical school expectations.
You should think about your reasons for attending health care professional school, understand what is involved in health-care training, and recognize the duties and responsibilities of health-care professionals.