Supportive
We have your back. We offer a broad range of support to students interested in health careers, no matter what your path might be.
Pre-Health Professions
Achieve your goals. The pre-health professions tracks at the University of St. Thomas will prepare you for a variety of postgraduate healthcare programs. Whether you plan to become a dentist or a physical therapist, we have the resources you need to prepare for an exciting career.
Why Pursue a Pre-Health Professions Track at St. Thomas?
Pursuing a pre-health professions track means you have access to a huge variety of academic programs to prepare you for what comes after St. Thomas. We will work with you to choose a program based on your abilities and personal interests, and you will have access to the Health Professions Advisory Committee to create a four-year plan completing the needed prerequisite courses for a postgraduate program. Our alumni have gone on to be physical therapists, physician assistants, dentists, occupational therapists and more.
Preparing for an Exciting Career
Healthcare is an exciting and constantly evolving field. The pre-health professions at St. Thomas will provide you with the individualized support you need to be successful in the next phase of your life.
Course Requirements
Fun fact: there are no required majors for health profession programs, which means you have access to every major and minor at St. Thomas. We recommend choosing a major based on your personal interests and academic abilities. Many students focus their studies in the natural sciences, but others have pursued degrees in social work and psychology. You will work closely with Health Professions Advisory Committee-affiliated faculty to find a path that best suits your interests and skills.
Four-Year Plan
Health profession program’s admission and prerequisite course requirements vary by school. You will work with Health Professions Advisory Committee-affiliated faculty and staff individually to create a four-year plan satisfying these required courses through your major, the university’s core curriculum and electives.
Degrees Awarded
You can pursue any major and minor as a pre-health student. We commonly see students pursue the following degrees:
Collaborative Research
You can collaborate with any professor at the university on research as early as your first year. Students have researched topics ranging from antibiotic-resistant bacteria to the neurobiology of social behavior in birds. Faculty are passionate about being your teachers, mentors and research partners throughout your undergraduate career, meaning you will be a part of a supportive and friendly community throughout your time inside and outside of the classroom at St. Thomas.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
Fun fact: there are no required majors for health profession programs, which means you have access to every major and minor at St. Thomas. We recommend choosing a major based on your personal interests and academic abilities. Many students focus their studies in the natural sciences, but others have pursued degrees in social work and psychology. You will work closely with Health Professions Advisory Committee-affiliated faculty to find a path that best suits your interests and skills.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
Health profession program’s admission and prerequisite course requirements vary by school. You will work with Health Professions Advisory Committee-affiliated faculty and staff individually to create a four-year plan satisfying these required courses through your major, the university’s core curriculum and electives.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
You can pursue any major and minor as a pre-health student. We commonly see students pursue the following degrees:
Collaborative Research
Collaborative Research
You can collaborate with any professor at the university on research as early as your first year. Students have researched topics ranging from antibiotic-resistant bacteria to the neurobiology of social behavior in birds. Faculty are passionate about being your teachers, mentors and research partners throughout your undergraduate career, meaning you will be a part of a supportive and friendly community throughout your time inside and outside of the classroom at St. Thomas.
Changing the World
Supportive professors, fellow students and alumni will surround you throughout your time at St. Thomas. They will push you to get outside of your comfort zone and find new experiences to equip you with a unique skillset needed in a constantly evolving field.
Health Professions Advisory Committee
In addition to being able to connect and work with any faculty member at the university, you will have access to the Health Professions Advisory Committee. This group of faculty from various programs across the university routinely teach pre-health students and are passionate about helping them achieve their goals of gaining admission to health professions programs. The committee writes evaluation letters for students, and will provide students with feedback for improving their applications as they are starting the admissions process.
Nasser Lubega ‘18
"From the friends I met to opportunities to be involved in research at the cutting edge of scientific discovery, my experiences at St. Thomas were nothing short of incredible. I utilized St. Thomas' Health Professions Advisory Committee to gain insight into medical school requirements, application tips, practice interviews and a committee letter of recommendation. These were integral to my success." Nasser is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School on a full-ride scholarship.
Charles Watts, MD, PhD '91
After graduating from St. Thomas with his degree in chemistry, Dr. Watts pursued a medical degree at the Creighton University School of Medicine. His residency was in the University of Minnesota hospital system, followed by a fellowship in the surgery and critical care unit. He is a practicing neurosurgeon at Fairview Southdale Hospital and the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
Career Paths
The St. Thomas Pre-Health Professions program prepares you with the academic knowledge and practical skills for a variety of postgraduate healthcare programs and career paths.
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Optometry
- Public Health
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Occupational Therapy
- Allopathic and Osteopathic Medicine
Scholarships
This competition occurs every year during the spring semester for students pursuing a pre-health professions track. Historically, individual awards range between $1,000 to over $6,000.
Established by Dr. Harvey O’Phelan, this scholarship award is available for juniors and seniors pursuing a pre-health professions track at the university.
We award this scholarship to a biology major demonstrating financial need each year.
This opportunity is for juniors or seniors pursuing a major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience or engineering. Eligible students will demonstrate academic excellence by having a minimum St. Thomas GPA of 3.6 or higher.
Eligible recipients for this scholarship will demonstrate academic excellence with a 3.5 GPA or higher and financial need.
Eligible students for this award will be a junior or senior either majoring in biology or an interdisciplinary major utilizing courses from the Department of Biology.
Ready for What's Next
You will receive the individualized attention inside and outside of the classroom to feel prepared for the next chapter in your life after St. Thomas.
1-on-1
You will get the attention you need. We provide individualized career advising and application support throughout your undergraduate career at St. Thomas.
Letters
We want you to achieve your goals. The Health Professions Advisory Committee writes evaluation letters for students applying to medical school.
We have 800+ faculty at St. Thomas eager to be your teachers and mentors. Here are just a few and what they have been up to lately.
Dr. Roxanne Prichard
Dr. Prichard’s expertise is in sleep and circadian rhythms.
Dr. Thomas Marsh
Dr. Marsh's interests include biochemistry and analyzing the assembly of G4-DNA nanostructures.
Dr. Sarah Heimovics
Dr. Heimovics focuses on topics like neuroendocrine systems.
A Wide Range of Thrilling Experiences
We encourage you to get out of the classroom and explore the world around you. Whether you stay in the Twin Cities and conduct powerful research, or expand your horizons with a study abroad program, we have the resources you need for success.
See the World
We want you to get out and explore. Pre-health students have the opportunity to study abroad in a variety of locations. For instance, neuroscience students can examine the cognitive processes in whales and dolphins in Hawai'i over J-term. Or maybe you want to visit Rome, the Eternal City? Students can complete organic chemistry while staying at the Bernardi Campus.
Active Researchers
Pre-health students commonly collaborate with faculty on research. No matter what you are studying, or what you are interested in researching, we are confident you will find a faculty member eager to conduct powerful research with you.
Address Real Issues
Make a difference locally. You can collaborate with community leaders to address issues like of food insecurity in the Twin Cities and beyond through organizations like BrightSide Produce.
Finding Your Path
You will work closely throughout your undergraduate career with Health Professions Advisory Committee-affiliated faculty and staff on building a four-year plan that matches your interests, in addition to a competitive resume and applications for your postgraduate education.
Living Learning Communities
Live with other students that share your interests. Opportunities like the Healthcare Professions Living Learning Community will bring you together with other students to learn about different options for healthcare careers while discuss strategies for strengthening your professional school applications through patient contact experience, volunteering and test preparation.
Making a Difference
Students pursuing a pre-health professions track at St. Thomas are equipped with skills and knowledge that will help them lead successful careers. No matter what their path is, they will be ready to make an impact with every person they meet.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.