Preprofessional Support at UAH

At UAH we offer many excellent programs of study to prepare students for application to medical, dental, veterinary or optometry school, as well as to prepare for careers in related health fields such as pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry and medical technology. UAH's preprofessional students have an acceptance rate into health professional schools that is well above the national average - a fact of which the university is quite proud. And because your studies are not limited to a "pre-med" curriculum, you will have a wide spectrum of post- graduation options.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

As a UAH preprofessional student you will plan a program of study which:
Matches your interest and aptitudes;
Includes courses required for entrance to the professional school of your choice; and
Meets all major, minor and general educational requirements for your degree.
The UAH Preprofessional Advisory Committee and local physicians help students plan their programs of study and apply to professional school. Most UAH preprofessional students major in a scientific field, such as
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Mathematics		 Physics
Engineering
Psychology

However, it is not mandatory that one be a science major to be eligible for admittance to a professional school. It is only necessary that your program of study include the required courses for admittance to the professional school you choose.

Special Academic Help

 Professional schools look for students with outstanding academic skills, as well as students with diverse interests and a broad educational background.
Successful applicants need a strong foundation in natural sciences, a solid framework in the humanities and social sciences, and well-developed communication skills.
At UAH, our preprofessional students receive that kind of education.
UAH students have opportunities to gain experience in a medical setting through the UAH Doctor Shadow Program and the Summer Pre-Med Internship Program in UAB's school of Primary Medical Care.

UAH students also have opportunities to engage in medically-related basic research with faculty members. And each student receives personal attention in planning a program of study to meet the requirements for admission to a professional school.

Applying to Med School
Admission to professional schools is very competitive. Typically, the application process starts during spring of the junior year and involves:
Taking the required professional school admission test (MCAT, DAT, VAT, OCAT);
Obtaining a recommendation from the UAH Preprofessional Advisory Committee; and
Completing the application materials for the program of your choice. The minimum requirements for acceptance into medical, dental, veterinary or optometry schools are very similar and include:
General Biology
General Chemistry
General Physics
Organic Chemistry
Calculus		 8 Semester Hours
8 Semester Hours
8 Semester Hours
8 Semester Hours
3-6 Semester Hours
Some schools and programs may require specific additional courses. Early in your college career, specific catalogs and listings of admissions requirements should be consulted. Assistance in this area can be obtained from the Preprofessional Advisory Committee.

How long does it take

In general, admission to medical school requires completion of a baccalaureate degree (BS or BA), which usually requires four years of study. Medical school itself is a four-year program, and is followed by a residency program of at least three years in a particular field of medicine.
Other professional programs vary, but they usually require the undergraduate degree and are four years in length.

Clubs and Such

The Medical Careers Club and Alpha Epsilon Delta (the premedical honor society) at UAH provide students with:



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