
Pre-Health Professions Certificate
Overview
CSUSM’s intensive pre-health professions post-baccalaureate provides you with the science and math courses needed to change careers and enter various health professions programs. It prepares students who have completed a non-life-science degree in areas such as anthropology or English to gain the knowledge required to become competitive applicants to health professions schools such as dental, medical or veterinary. The career-changer program track can be completed in two years over five semesters and comprises 13 biology, chemistry, math and physics courses, including eight labs.
Upcoming Online Information Sessions
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New cohorts begin every fall semester.
Application and document deadlines:
- Fall 2023: July 19, 2023
- Fall 2024: April 24, 2024
Program Details
- ADMISSION
How to Apply
Admission Requirements
- A non-science-related bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units completed
Prerequisites
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- MATH 125: Pre-calculus with a grade of at least a C (2.0).
- If you are missing Pre-Calculus you can be admitted with the condition of completing the two-week PHPC Math Bootcamp offered in the summer OR an equivalent course from a regionally accredited institution
- A score at or above 50% on the Chemistry Placement Exam (CPE), or either CHEM 101: Preparatory Chemistry OR CHEM 105: General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Life with a minimum grade of C (2.0).*
- MATH 125: Pre-calculus with a grade of at least a C (2.0).
*This requirement is waived for fall 2022, however it is strongly recommended that applicants enter this program with an introductory or general chemistry course completed.
View Catalog Page - COSTS
Semester Units* Subtotal** Fall Semester 1
13 $6,487 Spring Semester 1 12 $5,988 Summer Semester 1 5 $2,495 Fall Semester 2 12 $5,988 Spring Semester 2 10 $4,990 Total 52 $25,948 *Unit rate for this program is $499
**University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.
Funding and Financial Aid
- This program is eligible for financial aid through unsubsidized federal loans for the first year only
- Visit the Extended Learning funding page or call 760-750-4850 to learn more about your funding options
- Active duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705
- COURSE SEQUENCE
View course descriptions and specific program requirements on the Pre-Health Professions Catalog Page.
Please note: This program has a set schedule of courses that you are expected to follow as part of your cohort.
If you are admitted to the Pre-Health Professions Certificate program you are expected to complete all scheduled courses. If you are admitted or have applied and believe you have completed equivalent coursework previously and do not wish to repeat specific courses within the program, you may submit the Course Equivalency Review request form.
Semester Course (units) Fall Semester 1
BIOL 210 and 210L (5)
CHEM 150 and 150L (5)
MATH 132 (3)
Spring Semester 1 BIOL 211 and 211L (5)
CHEM 160 and 175 (4)
MATH 242 (3)
Summer Semester 1 CHEM 201 and 201L (5) Fall Semester 2 CHEM 341 (3)
CHEM 202 and 202L (5)
PHYS 101 and 101L (4)
Spring Semester 2 BIOL 328 (3)
BIOL 321 (3)
PHYS 102 and 102L (4)
Schedule is subject to change.
Non-Cohort Course Options
If you are not a member of the pre-health professions cohort, but wish to enroll in select pre-health courses, you can register for the courses listed below. Additional sections of classes may be offered based on student demand. Course offerings will vary each semester depending on space availability.
This option is for:
- Students matriculated into the university but not part of the pre-health professions cohort
- Students who are not matriculated into the university and are not able to participate in the pre-health professions cohort
Fall 2023 Non-Cohort Courses Block Registration CHEM 202 - Organic Chemistry Full block CHEM 202 Registration CHEM 202L - Organic Chemistry Lab Full block CHEM 202L Registration CHEM 341 - General Biochemistry Full block CHEM 341 Registration PHYS 101/L - Intro to Phys Full block PHYS 101/L Registration - FAQ
What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?
Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.
Am I required to send CSUSM my GRE scores before I am admitted to the program?
No. The Pre-Health Professions program does not require the GRE.
If I graduated from CSUSM, do I still need to send in official transcripts?
If you took classes at or graduated from CSUSM, we will be able to pull up your CSUSM grades on our system once your program application is received.
If you attended any colleges or universities prior to attending CSUSM, transcript copies may be in our system but please email your advisor to verify this before omitting your official transcript requirement.
However, if you graduated from CSUSM and later attended courses at other colleges or universities, you need to send in official transcripts from these institutions.
I’m an international student. Who do I work with on my student status/admission at CSUSM?
The Pre-Health Professions program does not accept international students.
How do I request financial aid?
This program is financial aid eligible through unsubsidized federal loans for the first year only. Please keep this in mind as you think about financing the program over the two-year period. If you plan to finance your first year using financial aid, you may submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application prior to being admitted into the program.
Please visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships office website at https://www.csusm.edu/finaid/ or call 760-750-4850 with any questions.
How often do I need to come to campus for classes?
Students are typically asked to come to campus four to five evenings per week for classes.
At nearly every university, the mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology courses are heavily impacted, but the cohort structure of this program alleviates this problem by offering guaranteed classes
Cohorts begin each fall semester with classes held weekday evenings to accommodate your busy schedule
The first year of this program is eligible for financial aid through unsubsidized federal loans and outside sources
Topics include: microbiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, calculus, statistics, physics and more
Extended Learning
