FAQs about the Pre-Medical and Health-Related Professions Program
What is the pre-medical and health-related professions program?
The pre-medical and health-related professions program at Point Park University is designed to help students meet prerequisite courses, gain individualized advising, complete the application process and receive a committee letter of recommendation for post-graduate studies in the medical field and related health professions.
Students who wish to join the program may be interested in medical, dental, pharmacy, PA, PT, veterinary medicine, nursing or other health-related professional programs. Additionally, students who are admitted to the program will have access to and support from the pre-med and pre-health committee.
What are the requirements of the pre-medical and health-related professions program?
All students who apply to the program will be admitted by committee decision and must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
What benefits can I gain from participating in the pre-medical and health-related professions program?
- Individualized advising in completing prerequisite courses for your choice of post-graduate programs
- Help and support in completing the application process
- The ability to major in any undergraduate major at Point Park and still complete the prerequisites for your chosen graduate or professional program
- A committee letter of recommendation
- A certificate of completion upon meeting all requirements of the program
What courses are required as part of the pre-medical and health-related professions program?
These required courses are also the most common courses required by medical schools and related programs.
- 1 year of general biology
- 1 year of physics with lab
- 1 year of general chemistry (inorganic chemistry) with lab (core) (CHEM 101)
- 1 year of organic chemistry with lab
- 1 course in calculus or statistics (core)
- 1 year of English (core)
- 1 course in Sociology (core)
- 1 course in Psychology (core)
- 1 year upper-division Biology (recommended)
Can anyone join the pre-medical and health-related professions program?
Yes! Students must apply and be accepted into the program, and once accepted must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. However, students can participate in the program while majoring in any undergraduate major at Point Park.
Are there standards I must maintain to continue to be part of the pre-medical and health-related professions program?
Yes. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. A one-semester grace may be granted if a student falls below that GPA, and expulsion from the program will follow a second semester below the minimum GPA requirement.
Do I have to go to LECOM if I join the pre-medical and health-related professions program?
No. We have an affiliation with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), and students wishing to apply to LECOM or who are already part of the early acceptance program (EAP) with LECOM, are welcome to join this program, but are not required to do so. Students who participate in the program can aspire to any medically-related or health-related program, and will receive the same individualized advising, help and support.
What if I want to go to veterinary school? Can the pre-medical and health-related professions program help me?
Yes. This program is designed to provide assistance for students aspiring to any medically-related or health-related programs. All students are welcome to apply to the program.
Will the pre-medical and health-related professions program prepare me for my admissions test (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, GRE)?
The required courses will prepare you for the physical and biological sciences portions of the admissions tests. Additional courses will be recommended on an individual basis. Students will be challenged to develop critical thinking, data analysis and other important skills necessary for success on admissions tests.
Will the pre-medical and health-related professions program guarantee my admission to my chosen post-graduate program?
No. We will help and support you throughout your undergraduate years at Point Park, and we will do our best to provide accurate advice and guidance during this time. However, your success and ultimate admission to medical, or any other post-graduate school, is up to you!
For more information, contact Laura Frost, Ph.D., program coordinator of the pre-medical and health-related professions program, at lfrost@pointpark.edu.