In Short
The Pre-Health Professions Advising Program advises students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in various health professions such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, chiropractic medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, podiatric medicine, athletic training, and other allied health professions.
Program Overview
At Fitchburg State University, our pre-health advising program has two dedicated advisors serving students of any major who are interested in pursuing post-graduate studies in the health sciences.
Students who are interested in pursuing graduate work in the health professions will have access to a Blackboard page where information on program requirements, volunteer opportunities, program informational sessions, and other announcements are made.
Although you can apply to health programs from any major as long as you have the right prerequisite classes, Fitchburg State offers a B.S. degree in Biology with a Health Sciences Concentration or a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science with a Clinical Exercise Physiology Concentration. These majors provide most of the classes required by graduate health programs.
The health professions advising program assists students in preparing for careers in the medical sciences, including:
- Medicine (allopathic and osteopathic)
- Dentistry
- Veterinary medicine
- Podiatric medicine
- Chiropractic medicine
- Optometry
- Physician assistant
- Physical therapy
- Other allied health professions
Because health programs require specific preparation, students must work closely with the health professions advising team to plan a suitable program of study. This generally involves:
- Selection of appropriate major
- Required courses
- Internships and volunteer service opportunities in the chosen health profession
- Clinical exposure to medical fields
- Research
Students are also expected to consult the websites of the particular health professional schools they are interested in to determine the specific requirements for admission. This is the responsibility of the student. The information provided here and elsewhere is only intended as a general guide.
Admission to Health Profession Schools
Admission to most health professions schools is extremely competitive, requiring strong academic performance. Students will also need satisfactory scores on standardized admissions tests (MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, VAT, or GRE).
Academic preparation varies depending on your program of interest, but generally includes a minimum of two semesters each of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, general physics and English. Additional advanced biology electives, such as cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, and microbiology are strongly recommended. Careful planning is of utmost importance to complete the required coursework in a timely manner with an excellent grade point average.
Preparation for a Health Professions Program
To complete the academic preparation at Fitchburg State, the following courses are recommended:
- General Biology I and II: BIOL 1800-1900
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II: BIOL 1200-1300
- General Chemistry I and II: CHEM 1300-1400
- Organic Chemistry I and II: CHEM 2000-2100*
- Mathematics (Applied Statistics): MATH 1700
- General Physics: PHYS 2300-2400
- General Psychology: PSY 1100
- Introduction to Sociology: SOC 1100
- English Writing I and II: ENGL 1100-1200
*These courses are needed for pharmacy, medical, dental, and veterinary medicine programs.
Special Opportunities at Fitchburg State: Get into medical, dental , pharmacy, or physical therapy school - early!
Fitchburg State has special arrangements with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Pennsylvania, where students meeting their criteria of GPA and SAT scores can apply while in high school and up to the end of their sophomore year at Fitchburg State. If accepted, they must maintain a certain GPA and course load at Fitchburg State and then will automatically be enrolled in their medical school when they graduate.
We have additional articulation agreements with LECOM for their Dental School (DMD) and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs.
Fitchburg State also has agreements with Husson University in Maine to allow students to earn a bachelor's degree from Fitchburg State and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Husson University and save a full year of school as the first year of their graduate degree counts as their senior year of the bachelor's degree.
Health Professions Advisors
Health Professions Advisor: Dr. Ron Krieser
Antonucci Science Complex, Room 338
Phone: 978.665.3619
Email: rkrieser@fitchburgstate.edu
Health Professions Advisor: Dr. Monica Maldari
EXSS Building, 155 North Street, Room 103
Phone: 978.665.4483
Email: mmaldar1@fitchburgstate.edu
Curriculum and Other Information
While it is recommended that students follow the BS biology/health sciences program, pre-health professional students can major in any of the available majors at Fitchburg State University. However, since many of the courses are required courses for the biology major, it is likely the student will choose to major in Biology. Careful planning is required to complete the required coursework in a timely manner with an excellent grade point average.
The BS in Biology with Health Sciences Concentration is especially designed for preparing students for admission to postgraduate programs in the health professions.
- Four-Year Plan of Study - Required and elective courses for program completion.