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Certificate in Pre-Health Professions Studies

The goal of the certificate program is to prepare students to be competitive applicants for medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, and pharmacy professional school. Students wishing to apply to other health professions may also be considered. The program provides the required and recommended course work for post-baccalaureate students from non-science majors. In addition we provide the facilities of an advising center with support for many issues related to the health professions and assistance with obtaining clinical experience. On-campus standardized test preparation courses may be available from commercial vendors at a discounted fee. The program is based on a cohort structure and is designated to be completed in 4 semesters plus one summer. The current cost of the program is $400 per unit but this will probably increase as budgets are finalized. Subsidized and unsubsidized loans may be available to students with documented financial need. The CSUF Health Professions Program currently has a linkage agreement with Western University/COMP for early admission into the Osteopathic Medical School (see here for more details).

New Application Deadlines

The application period has ended for the Spring 2010-2012 cohort application on September 18, 2009. The Post Baccalaureate program will accept only one cohort for Fall 2010. There will be 30 accepted applicants who will join the program during the Fall. Please refer back to this section for application disbursement and deadline.

Admission

Admission is competitive. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:

  1. Applicants should have completed, an introductory chemistry course (such as Chem. 115) or obtained a passing grade on the Chemistry Placement Exam (http://www.fullerton.edu/testing/cpe.htm). Applicants who are in the process of taking the pre-requisite chemistry will be considered for a “conditional acceptance”. It is also recommended that applicants complete an introductory biology class such as Bio 101 or equivalent prior to entering the program.
  2. Acceptable bachelor’s degree in a non science based discipline from an appropriately accredited institution
  3. Minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units attempted and applicant must be in good standing at last college attended
  4. The applicant will need to submit two applications for eligibility into the Health Professions Post Baccalaureate Program: A program application form and the graduate application form along with all attended Colleges/Universities transcripts (this includes both completed and in-progress transcripts). An application fee of $50 is also required along with submission of the Universities required $55 application fee.

New Under no circumstances will such coursework be credited towards the Pre-Health Professions Studies certificate program requirements. Upon acceptance or conditional acceptance, the applicant will be required to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit to hold their seat in the program. The $500 fee will be credited towards the student's first semester fees upon entry into the program.

Study Plan

The Certificate in Pre-Health Professions Studies requires a minimum of 50 units of approved course work most of which will be required by the professional schools. The other courses required for this program are either highly recommended by professional schools or important for standardized test preparation. Each student in consultation with the Health Professions Coordinator will develop a program of study.

New Certificate in Health Professions, Fall 2010-2012 Cohort

Fall
Chem 120A, Bio 172, Phys 211/211L                      [14]
Spring
Chem 120B, Bio 273, Phy 212/212L                        [14]
Summer
Chem 301A                                                               [8]
Chem 301B              
Fall
Chem 421, Bio 302, Math 120 or 338                      [14]
3 units from electives list *
Spring
MCAT  + electives + Application                                [>3]

*Electives
Chem/ Bio 495
Bio 303
Bio 309
Phil 314
Bio 361
Bio 362

For more detailed information or advisement students should contact the Health Professions Advising Office at (657) 278-3980 or HPPostbac@fullerton.edu.