2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]
Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies
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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 Academic
Advisement Office 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.
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