Pre-health professional students may select any major in the sciences or humanities provided they include the courses required by the professional schools and they do not exceed university unit limits. Requirements to enter each of the health professions can be found at:

• Allopathic Medicine
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Dentistry
• Naturopathic Medicine
• Optometry
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Physician Assistant
• Podiatry
• Veterinary Medicine

Competition for entrance into the health professional schools is intense. Students (both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate) are encouraged to seek the advice of CSUN’s pre-health advisor (located in CR 5104) early in their enrollment at the University regarding proper preparation for health profession schools. Preparation in the sciences should begin in the freshman year.

Pre-Medicine

There is no specific pre-medical major at CSUN, but most students accepted into medical school have majored in Biology. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required, and nearly all students admitted to medical school have a baccalaureate degree. A suggested pre-medical curriculum is given below. For specific information, consult CSUN’s pre-health advisor and study the books Medical School Admission Requirements, published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book, published by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Pre-Medical (Allopathic and Osteopathic) Curriculum

The courses listed below are the minimum requirements for most medical schools. Students are advised to take both the Mathematics and Chemistry Placement Tests (MPT and CPT) before registration, so that courses at the appropriate level can be selected. To enroll in the listed math and science courses, appropriate prerequisites may be required. Check catalog course descriptions for prerequisites.

• BIOL 106/L, BIOL 107/L Biological Principles I, II and Lab (8)
• BIOL 380 Cell Biology (3)
• CHEM 101/L, CHEM 102/L General Chemistry I, II and Lab (10)
• CHEM 333/L, CHEM 334/L Organic Chemistry I, II and Lab (9)
• CHEM 464 Principles of Biochemistry (3)
• PHYS 100A/PHYS 100AL, PHYS 100B/PHYS 100BL General Physics I, II and Lab (8)
• MATH 140 Introductory Statistics (4)
• MATH 150A Calculus I (5) or MATH 255A Calculus I (3)
• PSY 150 Introduction to Psychology (3)
• SOC 150 Introductory Sociology (3)
• Two semesters of writing courses (6)

Factors considered by admissions committees reviewing applicants for admission include GPAs, MCAT score(s), clinical experience in the medical field, research, recommendations from faculty members and supervisors, community service experience and interviews with applicants.

Pre-Dentistry

There is no specific pre-dental major at CSUN, but most students accepted into dental school have majored in Biology. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required, and nearly all students admitted to dental school have a baccalaureate degree. For specific information, consult CSUN’s pre-health advisor and study the book ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools, published by the American Dental Association.

Pre-Dental Curriculum

The courses listed below are the minimum requirements for most dental schools. Students are advised to take both the Mathematics and Chemistry Placement Tests (MPT and CPT) before registration, so that courses at the appropriate level can be selected. To enroll in the listed science courses, appropriate prerequisites may be required. Check catalog course descriptions for prerequisites.

• BIOL 106/L, BIOL 107/L Biological Principles I, II and Lab (8)
• CHEM 101/L, CHEM 102/L General Chemistry I, II and Lab (10)
• CHEM 333/L, CHEM 334/L Organic Chemistry I, II and Lab (9)
• CHEM 464 Principles of Biochemistry (3)
• PHYS 100A/PHYS 100 AL, PHYS 100B/PHYS 100BL General Physics I, II and Lab (8)
• Two semesters of writing courses

Many schools recommend or require additional courses (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology). Dental schools vary with respect to math requirements. Very few schools require Calculus, although College Algebra and Trigonometry are the minimum requirements to enroll in Physics.  A broad exposure to the arts and humanities is encouraged.

Factors considered by admissions committees reviewing applicants for admission include GPAs, DAT score(s), clinical experience in the dental field, research, recommendations from faculty members and supervisors, community service experience and interviews with applicants.

Other Health Professions Careers

Students interested in careers in Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Optometry, Physician Assistant studies, Podiatry, Chiropractic or Naturopathic Medicine should refer to the URLs listed above and consult with CSUN’s Pre-Health Advisor in Chaparral Hall (CR) 5104 for specific admissions information and pre-health curriculum lists.