Preprofessional health programs could include premedical, predental, preoptometry, preveterinary medicine, preosteopathic medicine, prepharmacy, prephysical therapy, and many other related disciplines. UAH offers academic preparatory programs, which are flexible and provide a broad enough background to satisfy a wide variety of career objectives, including the diverse fields in the health professions. For some professional schools, acceptance might be dependent on good grades (i.e. above average), positive recommendations (e.g. employers, faculty), health related experiences (e.g. volunteering, internships), quality interview skills and acceptable admissions test scores (e.g. Medical, Dental, Optometry).
Many students entering professional schools (e.g. medical, dental) do so after earning an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. No particular academic major or minor is preferred. However, it is very important to consult with the desired professional school to determine specific admission requirements. Competition for admission to professional schools is very intense and students should realize that completion of only the minimum admission requirements does not insure acceptance.
Typical of the requirements for admission to medical colleges are those which follow for the University of Alabama School of Medicine:
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1. |
English: composition and literature 1 |
2 hrs. |
|
2. |
General chemistry with laboratory |
8 hrs. |
|
3. |
Organic chemistry with laboratory |
8 hrs. |
|
4. |
General biology with laboratory |
8 hrs. |
|
(Additional biology electives recommended: genetics, embryology, cell biology.) |
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|
5. |
General physics with laboratory |
8 hrs. |
|
6. |
Two semesters of mathematics may include statistics or computer science. |
6 hrs. |
Students are advised to choose programs of study according to individual interests and abilities so that they may fulfill their maximum academic potential.
Typical of the requirements for admission to dental schools are those which follow for the School of Dentistry of the University of Alabama in Birmingham:
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1. |
Biological sciences |
12 hrs. |
|
2. |
Inorganic chemistry (including qualitative analysis) |
8 hrs. |
|
3. |
Organic chemistry |
8 hrs. |
|
4. |
Biochemistry is strongly recommended |
4 hrs. |
|
5. |
Physics (including laboratory) |
8 hrs. |
|
6. |
Analytic geometry and calculus |
6 hrs. |
|
7. |
30 semester hours of non-science courses to include English (6 hrs.), history, political science, economics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Courses to enhance manual dexterity (sculpture, painting, etc.) are encouraged. |
30 hrs. |
|
8. |
The completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of collegiate work with a maximum of 60 semester hours earned at an accredited junior college. |
Students interested in preprofessional health programs are encouraged to contact the UAH preprofessional advisor early in their college career by calling the Office of the Dean, College of Science.