Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies

The term “prehealth professional” is used to designate any course of study followed by a student whose goal is to attend a health related professional school following graduation from a university. These professional schools are in the fields of medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, podiatry, chiropractic, veterinary medicine and optometry, physical therapy, physician assistant, etc. The term prehealth professional is an administrative one designating those students who may need specialized preprofessional advisement prior to graduation. Hofstra offers majors which fulfill the requirements of these professional schools.

Health related professional schools require at least two and, in most cases, four years of college training for entrance. It is strongly recommended that students complete the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Students who plan to complete less than four years of undergraduate work will not be considered for recommendation to medical schools unless their work shows evidence of exceptionally high scholastic achievement in the basic sciences and general cultural subjects, combined with maturity of mind and purpose.

Students considering preprofessional training should be aware that evidence of high quality scholarship (reflected by grade point average greater than 3.0 and additional factors) is required for entry into professional schools for medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, podiatry, chiropractic, or veterinary medicine. The Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies Office in the Center for University Advisement encourages all such students with grade point averages 3.0 or better to register with the Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies Office. Here the student will meet with the prehealth professional adviser and be given advice concerning the choice of a major and the necessary requirements for entering the various schools. The Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies Office is the official liaison between the University and the health professional school. It is in this office that all pertinent information concerning the premedical/prehealth professional student is filed. Files of students whose cumulative grade point averages fall below 3.0 will be maintained in the office for one semester. If the grade point average remains below 3.0 the files will no longer be held. A student may resume registration with this office when their grade point average is raised above 3.0.

The major field of undergraduate study is left to the student’s decision and should be based on intellectual interest. The student, however, must show mastery of the subject and advance beyond the elementary level. The use of good English, the power of clear thinking, and the ability to make good decisions are essential. Cooperation, intellectual honesty, initiative, and understanding of human relations in society, good character, personality, and cultural attainments are all requisites for admission to health related professional schools.

Basic knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics is necessary, and those desiring a major in the sciences are not discouraged from concentrating in these subjects, but it is not necessary that they do so. Courses in advanced mathematics are desirable preparation for quantitative methods in medicine, especially in research. Chemistry and biology should be started in the freshman year. Knowledge of a modern foreign language is recommended.

The Medical College Admission Test, sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges, administered by the American College Testing Program (ACT), is required of applicants for admission to most medical colleges. Dental students will take the Dental Aptitude Test. Other examinations may be required by other health related professional schools.

Students pursuing the premedical or prehealth professional studies curriculum should have very early advice to insure a selection of studies which will satisfy entrance requirements and the cultural needs of the health profession. Students who are candidates for a degree must have their programs approved by the adviser in the field of specialization, and copies of all programs should be filed in the Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies Office.