Pre-Health Concentration

Admissions & Aid College of Arts and Sciences
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Pre-Health Concentration

What Does It Mean to Be “Pre-Health” at UP?

If you’re preparing for a career in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, or other health professions, University of Portland’s pre-health resources ensure you will complete the required coursework and gain meaningful hands-on experience to build a competitive application for professional health programs.

Here, you’ll work closely with dedicated pre-health advisors who will help you navigate course selection, extracurricular activities, research opportunities, and clinical experiences. Open to students in every major, the pre-health pathway will help you develop the critical thinking skills, scientific knowledge, and ethical framework needed for success in the health field.

Pre-Health Courses

Your courses will vary based on your intended professional program. Our advisors help you plan a curriculum that aligns with your career goals and ensures you meet the requirements for competitive admission to medical, dental, and other health-related graduate degree programs.

Review the general prerequisite courses for each pre-health pathway at UP:

We can also advise you if you plan to pursue chiropractic medicine or other specialized health care careers. Email our pre-health advising team at healthprofessions@up.edu for personalized guidance.

University Core

Through UP’s Core Curriculum, you’ll learn effective communication skills, adopt ethical reasoning practices, and gain a global perspective that will enhance your ability to provide exceptional patient care and approach medicine with compassion.

The Core

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More than a Concentration

Medical schools look beyond academics when considering applicants. At UP, we help you get involved in opportunities that strengthen your professional school application and prepare you for your career.

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Pre-Medical Student Association

From MCAT prep to networking opportunities, the Pre-Medical Student Association helps you gain insight into different medical career paths and understand the medical school application process.

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Pre-Dental Student Association

Explore your interest in dentistry while giving back to the community through service and preventative dental health care awareness.

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Holy Cross Tradition

UP’s Holy Cross mission emphasizes service, ethics, and social responsibility—values that shape caring health care providers. No matter your career path, you’ll enter the field with integrity and a deep commitment to health equity and patient advocacy.

The UP Difference

Discover the UP advantage for future healthcare professionals.

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%+

Of UP Graduates with a 3.8+ Science GPA Matriculated into Medical School

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Student Clubs and Organizations

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%

of Freshmen Live in a Residence Hall on Campus

Pre-Health Student Spotlight

"I didn’t want to major in biology, which is the typical major for pre-med students. I love math! I got great advice on creating a four-year plan for classes and extracurriculars like internships and research. My research professors also doubled as mentors and helped me build my medical school application. Even now, they frequently reach out to see how I am doing."

Samantha Rivas '20, Medical Student at UC San Francisco

Careers and Outcomes

UP’s pre-health graduates pursue roles in medicine, dentistry, public health, and biomedical research, among many other fields. UP’s academic training, research experience, and strong medical school acceptance rate make this pathway an excellent choice for a wide range of advanced health care careers.

Graduate Studies

Unlike some health care positions that only require a bachelor’s degree, becoming a doctor, dentist, physical therapist, or another type of practitioner means completing graduate or doctoral training. Earning an advanced degree opens the door to greater career opportunities, specialized fields, potential salary, and the ability to make a difference in patient care.

MCAT Guide

If you plan to attend medical school, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a critical component of the application process. The MCAT assesses your scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. An early understanding of the exam’s structure and content can help you determine which pre-med courses to take and approach studying effectively. Use our MCAT Guide to learn how to prepare.

Related Degrees

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BS in Human Biology

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BS in Biochemistry

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BA & BS in Biology

Take the First Step Toward Medical School

Your future in health care starts with the right preparation. At University of Portland, the pre-health pathway provides expert advising, hands-on experiences, and pre-med courses that build a strong foundation for medical, dental, and other health professions. Start making a meaningful impact on the lives of others today.

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