Pre-Health Professional Tracks
North Park University’s pre-professional tracks for undergraduate students are designed to prepare you for entrance into a graduate program or professional school in a specific area. These are not stand-alone majors, but a sequence of courses to complete along with your major.
Ekaterini Koutsouris
Ekaterini Koutsouris is North Park’s Advisor for Advanced Education in the Health Professions. She guides students through the course sequences they need to take for the pre-health professional tracks. She will also help you explore your interests, stay on track academically, and prepare for graduate school applications and interviews.
For all tracks, students will work with the pre-health advisor on all aspects of application submission, including the best time for submission.
Recommended courses
To prepare for dental school and a career in healthcare, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. These courses fulfill prerequisites for most dental programs but be sure to check specific program requirements. Some courses may also count toward your major or Core Curriculum. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.
Dental school admission prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Advanced Human Physiology
- Microbiology
- Introductory Chemistry I and II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Organic Chemistry II
- Biochemistry
- Introductory Physics I
- Introductory Physics II
Additional recommendations
- Most students take the DAT (Dental Admission Test) in the summer after their third year. Dental schools also value internship and research experience, so we encourage you to gain hands-on exposure in the field. Your faculty advisors will help you find opportunities that fit your schedule and career goals.
- Before your fourth year, you should also complete the AADSAS (American Association of Dental Schools Application Service) to begin the application process.
Recommended courses
To prepare for medical school and a career in healthcare, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. These courses fulfill prerequisites for most medical programs but be sure to check specific program requirements. Some courses may also count toward your major or Core Curriculum. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.
Medical school admission prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Additional Advanced Level Biology
- Introduction to Chemistry I
- Introduction to Chemistry II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Organic Chemistry II
- Biochemistry
- Introductory Physics I
- Introductory Physics II
- Introductory Statistics
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
Additional recommendations
Most students take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) in the summer after their third year. Medical schools also value internship and research experience, so gaining hands-on exposure in the field is highly recommended. Your faculty advisors will help you find opportunities that fit your schedule and align with your goals.
Recommended courses
To prepare for occupational therapy school and a career in healthcare, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. These courses fulfill prerequisites for most occupational therapy programs, but be sure to check specific program requirements. Some courses may also count toward your major or Core Curriculum. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.
Occupational therapy school admission prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Advanced Human Physiology
- Introductory Statistics
- Human Lifespan Development
- Abnormal Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
Additional recommendations
We recommend taking the GRE before or early in your third year. Most clinical program applications are submitted later that year. Applications must include proof of completed prerequisites, GRE scores, strong recommendation letters, and clinical experience.
Recommended courses
To prepare for optometry school and a career in healthcare, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. These courses fulfill prerequisites for most optometry programs but be sure to check specific program requirements. Some courses may also count toward your major or Core Curriculum. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.
Optometry school admission prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Microbiology
- Introductory Chemistry I
- Introductory Chemistry II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Introductory Physics I
- Introductory Physics II
- Calculus I
- Introductory Statistics
- Introduction to Psychology
- Social & Behavioral Science
Additional recommendations
You should complete your optometry school applications during the summer before your fourth year to ensure a timely submission.
Recommended courses
To prepare for pharmacy school and a career in healthcare, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. These courses fulfill prerequisites for most pharmacy programs but be sure to check specific program requirements. Some courses may also count toward your major or Core Curriculum. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.
Pharmacy school admission prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Microbiology
- Advanced Human Physiology
- Genetics
- An additional 4-credit biology course
- Introduction to Chemistry I
- Introduction to Chemistry II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Organic Chemistry II
- Biochemistry
- Introductory Physics I
- Introductory Statistics
- Calculus I
- Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics
- Public Speaking
- Humanities courses
- Social & Behavioral Sciences
Additional recommendations
You should take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test) during the summer following your third year.
Recommended courses
To prepare for physical therapy school and a career in healthcare, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. These courses fulfill prerequisites for most physical therapy programs but be sure to check specific program requirements. Some courses may also count toward your major or Core Curriculum. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.
Physical therapy admission prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Medical Terminology
- Advanced Human Physiology
- Additional Biology course
- Introduction to Chemistry I
- Introduction to Chemistry II
- Additional Biology or Chemistry course
- Introductory Physics I
- Introductory Physics II
- Introductory Statistics
- Calculus I
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social & Behavioral Sciences
Additional recommendations
- For athletic training majors: follow the Athletic Training Educational Program guidelines and talk with your advisor about your physical therapy goals.
- An internship in a physical therapy setting is strongly recommended.
Recommended courses
To prepare for veterinary medicine school and a career in healthcare, we recommend taking the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements. These courses fulfill prerequisites for most veterinary programs but be sure to check specific program requirements. Some courses may also count toward your major or Core Curriculum. For full course descriptions, visit the academic catalog.
Veterinary Medicine school admission prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Introduction to Chemistry I
- Introduction to Chemistry II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Organic Chemistry II
- Biochemistry
- Introductory Physics I
- Introductory Physics II
- Introductory Statistics
- Concepts and Structures or a math course above MATH 1030
- Public Speaking
- Social & Behavior Sciences
Additional recommendations
Take the GRE during the summer after your third year. Complete your veterinary school applications during the summer before your fourth year to ensure a timely submission.