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Health Program Requirements

The following are general requirements for different types of graduate health programs. Please be aware that specific programs have their own requirements. Make sure you check the requirements of individual schools and programs to which you might wish to apply.


 

Allopathic Medicine

  • For more information see the American Association of Medical Colleges
  • Application service: AMCAS, TMDSAS (most Texas schools)
  • Entrance exam: MCAT
  • Consider subscribing to MSAR (through AAMC.org) for detailed information about different medical programs

 

Commonly required courses:

  • Two semesters of general biology (+ labs)
  • Two semesters of general physics (+labs)
  • Two semesters of general chemistry (+labs)
  • Two semesters of organic chemistry (+labs)
  • One semester of biochemistry
  • Two semesters of math (usually including Calculus I and Statistics)
  • Two semesters of English composition courses
  • Commonly recommended courses:
  • Psychology, second semester of biochemistry, upper level biology courses including genetics, microbiology, cell biology, etc., public speaking, sociology

 

Osteopathic Medicine

  • See the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine for more information
  • Application service: AACOMAS, TMDSAS (for some Texas schools)
  • Entrance exam: MCAT

 

Commonly required courses:

  • Two semesters of general biology (+ labs)
  • Two semesters of general physics (+labs)
  • Two semesters of general chemistry (+labs)
  • Two semesters of organic chemistry (+labs)
  • One semester of biochemistry
  • Two semesters of math (usually including Calculus I and Statistics)
  • Two semesters of English composition courses

 

Dental Medicine

  • For more information see the ADEA
  • Application service: AADSAS (Associated American Dental School Application Service); TMDSAS (for some Texas schools)
  • Entrance Exam: DAT
  • See ADEA dental school map for information about specific programs

 

Commonly required courses:

  • Two semesters of general biology (+ labs)
  • Two semesters of general physics (+labs)
  • Two semesters of general chemistry (+labs)
  • Two semesters of organic chemistry (+labs)
  • One semester of biochemistry
  • Two semesters of math (usually including Calculus I and Statistics)
  • Two semesters of English composition courses

 

Physician's Assistant (PA)

  • PA programs vary with respect to their required prerequisite coursework. Be sure to check the requirements of individual programs.
  • For more information see: aapa.org
  • Application Service: CASPA
  • Entrance exam: GRE
  • PA programs often require a certain number of formal hours of hands-on healthcare experience. Please check the requirements of individual programs.

 

Commonly required courses:

  • General Chemistry I & II (+labs)
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Other commonly required courses:
  • Behavioral sciences
  • Math and statistics
  • Genetics
  • Other upper-level biology courses
  • English Composition

 

Physical Therapy

  • For more information see the American Physical Therapy Association apta.org
  • Application service: PTCAS
  • Entrance exam: GRE
  • See the CAPTE directory for information about individual schools
  • PT programs often require a certain number of volunteer or paid work hours under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Check the requirements of individual schools.

 

Commonly required courses:

  • Anatomy / A&P 1 with lab
  • Physiology / A&P 2 with lab
  • Biology 1 (not botany or zoology)
  • Biology 2 (not botany or zoology)
  • General Chemistry 1 with lab
  • General Chemistry 2 with lab
  • General Physics 1 with lab
  • General Physics 2 with lab
  • Psychology
  • Statistics

 

Veterinary Medicine

  • For more information see the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Application service: VMCAS
  • Entrance exam: GRE, some schools require Biology GRE; MCAT accepted at some schools
  • See this document for more information about prerequisites at individual schools

 

Commonly required courses:

  • Gen chem
  • Gen physics
  • Gen biology
  • Biochemistry
  • English composition
  • Math (calculus I and statistics)
  • Sometimes required: Animal science
  • Recommended course: Anatomy and Physiology