This interdisciplinary program is designed for students who wish to concentrate their undergraduate studies in psychology and continue post-graduate studies in medicine or other health-related professions. Of course, completion of this program does not carry with it a specific guarantee of admittance to a graduate medical/health program. It provides these students with a solid background in basic biomedical sciences as well as in behavioral and cognitive sciences. Students within this major are provided training in the critical evaluation of research in behavior and human health, the effective communication of scientific research data, and exposure to diverse health-related issues in contemporary society. By bridging scientific methodology with the cognitive and social aspects of human behavior, this program is uniquely positioned to offer pre-medical and pre-health students a foundation in the knowledge and skills required for success in a variety of health services and health administration professions.
The BS program requires a minimum of 33 s.h. in psychology course work and at least 36 s.h. in a combination of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics course work as required for pre-health and pre-medical studies. An additional requirement of 6 s.h. in cognate course work exposes students to courses in the humanities and social sciences that are relevant for future work in a variety of health services and health administration professions. Students may apply to the program after completing a minimum of 16 s.h. in pre-medical sciences required by the program while enrolled at Hofstra. Grades lower than a C- in any of the required courses do not count toward the total number of semester hours earned for this degree. No more than two classes taken for this major may count toward satisfying any other major or minor.
Students will be assigned an adviser when they declare the major and must plan their schedules in consultation with their adviser. They must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA overall and in the required sciences to enter and remain in this program.
Candidates for graduation must successfully complete the following requirements.