Pre-Health Professions

(Dentistry, Medicine, Physician's Assistant, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Veterinary Medicine, Public Health)

Many students entering Jacksonville University hope to one day have a career in a health profession, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician’s assistant, public health, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine. In order to successfully apply to a health professional school following graduation from Jacksonville University, students must successfully complete various undergraduate science courses, as well as courses from other disciplines. These undergraduate prerequisites are determined by the individual health professional schools, and may vary somewhat between institutions. The following information and suggested course list provide general information to JU students interested in preparing for a Health Professions career. JU students are strongly encouraged to seek out their advisor and JU Pre Health Professions advisors for additional detailed information regarding preparation for application to medical school or other health professions.

Many students wishing to pursue a career in medical school or another health profession choose to obtain an undergraduate major in Biology or Chemistry. However, there is actually not a requirement for any specific major in order to apply to a health professional school. Overall, these schools look for well rounded individuals who have demonstrated the ability to use their intellect. However, regardless of major chosen, a student must fulfill specific undergraduate course prerequisites for the professional school to which he/she would like to apply. Many schools have similar basic undergraduate science course requirements, with varying recommendations for additional coursework in the sciences and other subjects. For instance, most medical and health professional schools require at least 8 hours of Biology. Examples of additional science courses that may be required by such schools include Human Anatomy and Physiology (Physician’s Assistant and Physical Therapist), Biochemistry (Pharmacy), and Genetics (Veterinary Medicine).

It is very important for JU students intending to pursue a career in a health profession to work closely with their faculty advisor and/or JU Pre Health Professions advisors early and regularly, in order to stay on track with meeting entrance and course requirements. Additionally, it is strongly advised that JU students closely read the websites of professional schools to which they may apply to understand specific undergraduate course and entrance exam requirements that a particular school may have. Students are also encouraged to join JUMPS, the Jacksonville University Medical Pre-Professional Society, which holds meetings throughout the year on topics relevant to Pre-Health Profession students. Below is a list of courses that will help prepare JU students for successful application to a Health Professional school. These requirements encompass the material needed for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is required by all but a few medical schools in the U.S. These courses also comprise the information needed for basic background for the study of medicine as well as admission to most other health professional programs. The requirements are to be regarded as minimal for either purpose.

Notes:

# BIOL 430 denotes a special topics course. Special topics courses vary in theme and not all special topics courses are applicable to students pursuing a health profession. However, students interested in some health professions may find the Wildlife Disease Ecology course beneficial and may wish to take it when it is offered.

In addition to successful completion of course requirements, programs leading to degrees in the health professions often recommend and/or require students to show evidence of completing numerous experiential hours (e.g., volunteerism, clinical shadowing, research, internships, work experience) related to the health profession. Programs may differ in the minimum expected, so it is important to check the recommendations of individual programs early and often. Involvement in student clubs, service organizations, and other extracurricular activities also help students develop additional skills complementary to future work in the health professions.

A variety of internship programs with either Research or Clinical/Practical Professional orientation are available to JU students. JU students collaborate with mentors at the Mayo Clinic, UF Health Jacksonville and other institutions. The faculty and staff at JU work with these institutions to identify and encourage minorities and other students who are interested in careers in research and medicine through these internships. JU has also devised numerous shadowing, internship, and research projects for students at other medical and dental facilities, as well as an array of veterinary sites.