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Build Your Future in Healthcare
Are you aiming to enter a health-related professional school such as medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary or another health profession? CSUSM’s Pre-Health Professions Certificate (PHPC) is a postbaccalaureate program exclusively designed for individuals with nonscience bachelor's degrees, providing the essential coursework and preparation needed to pursue a career in the health field.
If you hold a degree in fields like history, accounting or any other nonscience discipline, the PHPC program will equip you with the math and science prerequisites necessary for the MCAT and other entrance exams.
This intensive five-semester program comprises 13 courses in biology, chemistry, math and physics, featuring eight labs—thoroughly preparing you to transition into the competitive healthcare field.
In-Person Format
Complete in 2 Years
Guaranteed Classes
Application Deadlines
Applications to the Pre-Health Professions Certificate (PHPC) are reviewed on a rolling basis; apply at any time! However, priority is given to applications that are received by these deadlines:
- Fall 2025: April 23, 2025
Quick facts
Career-Changer Program: The Pre-Health Professions Certificate is a postbacc program specifically designed
for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-life-science discipline
and wish to transition into a healthcare profession.
Guaranteed Seat: Science and math classes are often heavily impacted at most universities. In the PHPC program, your classes are guaranteed, ensuring you never have to worry about space or finishing on time.
Guaranteed Seat: Science and math classes are often heavily impacted at most universities. In the PHPC program, your classes are guaranteed, ensuring you never have to worry about space or finishing on time.
Attend an Information Session
Join an Online Information Session
Learn more about the Pre-Health Professions Certificate program through a brief, informal webinar and Q&A session:
Please revist later for updates on upcoming information sessions.
Admission and Costs
Admission
Students must have completed a nonscience-related bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and achieved at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units completed. View all admission requirements.
Costs and Financial Aid
- $530 per unit
- Eligible for financial aid during the first year
Who Is This Pre-Health Professions Certificate For?
Does this sound like you?
- Career changers looking to transition into health professions and complete prerequisite coursework
- Individuals preparing for entrance exams such as the MCAT, DAT or PCAT to meet the requirements for health professional schools
- Recent graduates wanting to enhance their academic credentials before applying to health professional schools
- Working professionals in related fields seeking additional coursework to qualify for advanced health professions programs
Curriculum Highlights
The Pre-Health Professions Certificate curriculum equips you with comprehensive science and math prerequisites essential for competitive admission to MD, PA, dental, pharmacy, veterinary and other graduate health professions programs.
Human Physiology
Study the functions of the human body, exploring the mechanisms that underpin health and disease. This course covers topics such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and endocrine systems. Emphasis is placed on understanding how these systems interact to maintain homeostasis and respond to physiological challenges.Organic Chemistry
Delve into the structure, properties and reactions of organic compounds. This course provides a comprehensive overview of organic chemistry principles, including reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry and the chemistry of various functional groups. Laboratory sessions reinforce theoretical knowledge through hands-on experiments.Introduction to Statistics
Gain a foundational understanding of statistical methods and their applications in health sciences. This course covers descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing and inferential statistics. Emphasis is placed on interpreting data and making informed decisions based on statistical analysis.Careers and Job Outlooks
Position Yourself for Professional Growth
Advanced healthcare roles offer excellent earning potential far above the national average.
Cumulative Openings Each Year
Projected Job Growth Through 2032
Median Salary Range for Advanced Healthcare Roles
Potential Career Paths
The Pre-Health Professions Certificate offers a blend of advanced science coursework with hands-on laboratory experience, preparing you for a wide range of careers as a skilled healthcare professional. Explore diverse career opportunities, including:
- Medical Doctor/Surgeon
- Physician Assistant
- Dentist
- Pharmacist
- Veterinarian
- Physical Therapist
- Nurse/Nurse Practitioner
- Podiatrist
This certificate equips you with the academic prerequisites to sit for the MCAT and other entrance exams, enabling you to apply with confidence to medical and other health professions schools.
What Do Our Students and Faculty Have to Say?
My positive experience in the postbacc program helped redefine my understanding of what success in pursuit of a medical degree looked like and landed me in an incredibly tight-knit, collaborative, team-centered institution.
Lance Tippit
Graduate; Medical Student, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
This is my second chance to excel. Being able to have a second chance to prove myself to a medical school is amazing. It means a lot to be able to show that I am worthy of a spot in medical school and that I’m worthy of pursuing whatever dream I want to in the future.
Amanda McKenna
PHPC Graduate; Current Medical Student
FAQ
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- What is a cohort?A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic goals. In the Pre-Health Professions Certificate program, cohorts are formed as students are accepted into the program and take their classes together. This structure allows students to form strong bonds, creating a support system and professional network that proves beneficial during and after the program.
- What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?
- Does the Pre-Health Professions program accept international applicants?No, the Pre-Health Professions program does not accept international students at this time.
Prepare for a Future in Healthcare.
Sources
288 Campus Way San Marcos, CA 92078