Skip to main content
Penn State Behrend
Report a Concern Contact Us Visit Us Apply Now
  • Academics
    • Majors and Minors
    • Graduate Programs
    • Open Lab Learning
    • Research Opportunities
    • Black School of Business
    • School of Engineering
    • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
    • School of Science
    • Nursing Program
  • Admissions
    • About Penn State Behrend
    • First-Year Students
    • Transfer Students
    • International Students
    • Change of Campus Students
    • Adult Learners
    • Graduate Students
    • Applying to Behrend
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
    • Commuter Life
    • Residence Life
    • Dining on Campus
    • Athletics and Recreation
    • Clubs and Activities
    • Diversity and Belonging
    • Student Services
    • Safety on Campus
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Donors & Friends
    • Business & Community Partners
    • Visitors
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Behrend
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Report a Concern Contact Us Visit Us Apply Now
  • This is Penn State Behrend
    • About Penn State Behrend
    • Behrend as an Open Lab
    • Behrend: A Best Value
    • Vision of a Behrend Graduate
    • College Calendars
    • College Leadership
    • People and Departments
    • Visit Behrend
    • Give to Behrend
  • Academics
    • Majors and Minors
    • Exploratory (Undeclared)
    • Adult Learner Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Academic Advising
    • Career Services
    • College Registrar
  • Admissions and Aid
    • Penn State Behrend At A Glance
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Visiting Behrend
    • Applying to Behrend
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
    • On-Campus Housing
    • Off-Campus Housing
    • Commuter Resources
    • Dining on Campus
    • Fitness and Recreation
    • Student Activities
    • Safety on Campus
  • Athletics
  • Research and Outreach
    • Research
    • Faculty Research
    • Student Research
    • Outreach
    • James R. Meehl Innovation Commons
    • Knowledge Park
    • K-12 Education Outreach
    • Pennsylvania Sea Grant

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Donors & Friends
  • Business & Community Partners
  • Visitors

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Virtual Campus Tour
  • Directions to Campus
  • Parking on Campus
  • Safety on Campus
  • Behrend Blog
  • Calendars
  • Directories

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  1. Home
  2. School of Science
  3. Academic Programs

Pre-Health Professions

Pre-health programs

Pre-Health Professions

Health professions such as medicine, physical therapy, and pharmacy are some of the most in-demand careers in today's world. Penn State Behrend prepares you for these careers through strong science programs taught by dedicated and engaging faculty.

Although some institutions offer a specific “Premedical” degree, applicants with an undergraduate degree in a science discipline have higher admission rates to medical and other health-related professional schools. Biology and chemistry are among the possible majors for students interested in a career in health care. Within these majors, students can further tailor their curriculum by choosing the option that best fits their career goals and interests. Students can also strengthen their resume by participating in undergraduate research with faculty who are internationally recognized in their research fields. The strong background you receive at Penn State Behrend will also prepare you for alternative careers should your career objectives change over the course of your studies.

Occasionally, there are Pre-Health events at Penn State Behrend that are geared toward students in the Pre-Health program or students pursuing degrees in the medical fields. One such event was detailed on the Behrend Blog.

Health Professions Preparation Programs

  • Dentistry
  • Medicine
  • Optometry
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician Assistant, or Physical or Occupational Therapy
  • Veterinary Medicine

Although most students interested in health careers finish their degrees at Penn State Behrend, we also offer special accelerated and early admissions programs for health-related professional schools. These programs target exceptionally motivated students who meet specific admissions criteria. The accelerated programs allow you to attend Penn State Behrend for three years and complete the undergraduate degree in biology during your first year in professional school.

Special Pre-Health Programs

  • Penn State College of Medicine Early Assurance Program
  • 3+4 Accelerated Program in Optometry
  • 3+4 Accelerated Program in Pharmacy
  • Medical Technology Option (in Biology bachelor's degree program)

Resources

  • Instructions for requesting a Pre-Health Committee Letter of Evaluation
  • Request more information.

 

Pre-Health Professions

  • Pre-Dentistry at Behrend
  • Pre-Medicine at Behrend
  • Pre-Optometry at Behrend
  • Pre-Pharmacy at Behrend
  • Pre-Veterinary at Behrend
  • Preparation for Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, and Occupational Therapist
  • Pre-Health Profession Programs
    • 3+4 Accelerated Program in Optometry
    • 3+4 Accelerated Program in Pharmacy
    • Penn State College of Medicine Early Assurance Program
    • Medical Technology Option
  • Instructions for Requesting a Pre-Health Committee Letter of Evaluation
  • Request More Information about the Pre-Health Professions

PRE-HEALTH COMMITTEE

For all pre-health related questions or requests for more information, please email:

[email protected]

Apply to Behrend
Learn More

See Also

  • Nursing
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Minor
  • Biomedical Engineering Minor
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Behrend highlighted

Penn State Behrend

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, offers the learning opportunities of a major research university in a welcoming, student-centered campus environment.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Contact Us Visit Us Apply Now
  • This is Penn State Behrend
    • Behrend At A Glance
    • Vision of a Behrend Graduate
    • College Calendars
    • College History
    • College Leadership
    • College Strategy
    • Employment
    • People and Departments
  • Academics
    • Majors and Minors
    • Graduate Programs
    • Advising Center
    • Bookstore
    • Career Services
    • Center for Learning Excellence
    • College Registrar
    • Lilley Library
    • Student Success
    • Study Abroad
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Adult Learners
    • Change of Campus Students
    • International Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Veterans
  • Research/Outreach
    • Research
    • Faculty Research
    • Student Research
    • Outreach
    • Community and Workforce Programs
    • James R. Meehl Innovation Commons
    • Knowledge Park
    • Pennsylvania Sea Grant
    • Plastics Training Academy
    • WPSE Radio
    • Yahn Planetarium
    • Youth Outreach
  • Student Life
    • Dining on Campus
    • Housing and Residence Life
    • Commuter Student Resources
    • International Student Services
    • Equity and Diversity
    • Athletics and Intramurals
    • Student Leadership and Involvement
    • Student Services
  • Academic Schools
    • Black School of Business
    • School of Engineering
    • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
    • School of Science
    • Nursing Program
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid
    • Aid Opportunities and Deadlines
    • Financial Literacy
    • Grants
    • Scholarships
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Helpful Links
    • Campus Map
    • Virtual Tour
    • Directions
    • Parking
    • Safety
    • Behrend Blog
    • Calendars
    • People and Departments
Penn State University
4701 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563 814-898-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Map
  • Website Feedback
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2025
  • We Are Penn State