Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Sacred Heart University offers a Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for students interested in preparation for medical, dental, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, or physician assistant schools. The program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that gives a rigorous grounding in the foundational life sciences, physical sciences and social sciences needed for admission to medical and other health professions schools. Experienced faculty provide small classes, personal attention, and mentoring to benefit the development of the student.
In order to increase student preparedness for admission to and success in medical school, we provide extensive advising in regards to individually-tailored course selection and planning, advice concerning internship opportunities and research experiences, advising on the balance of pre-med coursework and other responsibilities and on exam preparation. Students will also be given the opportunity to join a Pre-Health academic club that aligns with their professional goals: Pre-Medical Club (AMSA: American Medical Student Association), Pre-Dental Club, or Pre-Physician Assistant Club.
We further assist students throughout the medical school application process by providing feedback on drafts of personal statements, assembling application packets, compiling letters of reference, uploading applicant materials, providing reference letters as applicable, and conducting mock medical school interviews.
In addition to providing these services for prospective medical students, the Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program provides similar, custom tailored curricula, services, and advising for students returning to pursue other health professions including dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, pharmacy, optometry and physician assistant. The program has a minimum requirement of 45 credits. Students who have completed some of the pre-requisite courses are eligible to transfer in a maximum of 22 credits towards the certificate. The specific plan of study for each student is unique consisting of science courses tailored to meet the individual students needs for their planned health profession. A typical plan of study for a student interested in medical school and a list of science courses which can be substituted into the plan are listed on the certificate website.