Pre-health Professions

A core of math-dependent science courses fulfills most of the undergraduate requirements for these programs. These courses also prepare you for the required entrance exams. The completion of a baccalaureate degree, in a major field of your choice, is required to gain entry into professional schools.

Recent statistics show that 63% of students admitted to U.S. medical schools were biology majors; 15% were in chemistry or physics; 11% in social sciences; 4% in health sciences; 1% math; and 6% scattered through a large number of other majors.

Core Biomedical/Pre-professional Science Courses

Additional Recommended Courses

Different professional programs can have slightly different course requirements. Courses such as Functional Human Anatomy (BIOS 311) and Cellular Physiology (BIOS 465), as well as undergraduate research, have proven to be relevant and useful additions to the core scientific curriculum.

• Dental schools usually require psychology courses such as Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 102) and Lifespan Development: Childhood Through Adulthood (PSYC 225).
• Medical schools recommend psychology and sociology courses (along with the traditional sciences) since those topics are found on the MCAT.
• Optometry schools require Calculus I (MATH 229), Elementary Statistics (STAT 200), Microbiology (BIOS 313) and Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 102).
• Pharmacy schools require Calculus I (MATH 229), Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 260) or Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 261), and Functional Human Anatomy (BIOS 311) or Human Anatomy (BIOS 355).
• Veterinary schools usually require a Biochemistry class (CHEM 470) and Elementary Statistics (STAT 200).
• Physician assistant/physician associate schools usually require Elementary Statistics (STAT 200), Medical Terminology (HSCI 318), 3000-plus patient contact hours (equivalent to one year of part-time employment).

Freshman and Sophomore Years

Start reading regularly. Students who perform well on the reading comprehension part of the MCAT are usually active recreational readers.

• Maintain regular contact with your pre-professional health advisor in the Academic Advising Center. Due to the range of choices, it is important to discuss options and plans with your pre-professional advisor. 
• Consider joining the Pre-Professional Association, which meets regularly throughout the year.
• Consider shadowing or internships with health sciences organizations.
• Participate in Research Rookies and other research opportunities to present your work.
• Start reading health-related articles at Healthline.com or WebMD.com, as well as journals related to your program, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Health Affairs or JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Junior/Pre-application Year

• Give yourself four months to study for the MCAT. The Association of American Medical Colleges can help you build an MCAT study plan.
• Do not take the MCAT until you have completed courses that cover the exam material.
• MCAT registration is available online. Space is limited, so register early.
• Take the professional school entrance exam (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, etc.) in the late spring or early summer in the year before you expect to gain admission to a professional program.
• Schedule a mock interview with the pre-professional health advisor.
• Begin online research to familiarize yourself with the application process.

Senior/Application Year

• Draft your personal statement and vita. Include honors, extracurricular activities, service (volunteering, shadowing, internships, etc.) and research.
• Begin contacting your professional references for letters of recommendation. One reference should be from a doctor of the medical profession to which you are seeking entrance. Another letter should come from your research mentor. Your third reference should be from an instructor from a class in which you did exceptionally well. Make sure you receive their letters before the end of May.
• Apply to professional schools over the summer.
• Complete any secondary applications within two weeks of the date you receive them.

Medical (M.D./D.O.)

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• Health career exploration

Dental

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• American Dental Education Association (ADEA)

Pharmacy

• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

Physician Associate

• Physician Associate Education Association (PAEA)
• American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)

Physical Therapy

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
• "You Can Be Me" video

Occupational Therapy

• The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• AOTA Careers

Optometry

• Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
• American Optometric Association) (AOA)

Podiatry

• American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)

Veterinary

• Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
• AAVMC career information

Contact prehealth@niu.edu to learn more and get involved with the following groups.

Pre-professional Association

Are you pursuing a career in healthcare? Join our vibrant community of students passionate about pre-health professions! Gain access to networking opportunities, career guidance and resources to help you succeed on your journey to medical, dental, veterinary, PA and other health professions.

Enhance your professional development, attend exclusive events and connect with like-minded peers and professionals. Whether you're just starting or preparing for professional school applications, we are here to support you every step of the way!

National Pre-Med Association Chapter

Are you passionate about becoming a doctor? Join the National Pre-Med Association at NIU and connect with a community of driven pre-med students! Gain valuable resources, mentorship and networking opportunities to help you succeed in your medical school journey.

Participate in workshops, events and collaborative study sessions that will prepare you for the challenges ahead. Together, we’ll build a strong foundation for your future in medicine!

Alpha Epsilon Delta Chapter

Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) is a national honor society dedicated to students pursuing careers in the health professions. Our mission is to support the academic and professional development of pre-health students, including those interested in fields like medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.

AED provides members with resources such as networking opportunities, educational events, leadership development and community service activities. The organization emphasizes scholarship, service and character as core values, helping members build a strong foundation for future success in their professional healthcare journeys.

The Pre-health Professions transcript notation is an official NIU recognition for students pursuing medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, physician assistant or other health-related professional programs. It highlights your commitment to academic excellence, leadership, service and professional preparation.

To earn the notation, you must complete both academic and co-curricular components of the Pre-health Professions Program.

Academic Requirements 

As a student, you must complete eight pre-health designated courses, including:

• HSCI 217 – Introduction to Health Careers
• BIOS 209 and 211 – Fundamentals of Organismal Biology and Lab
• CHEM 211 and 213 – General Chemistry II and Lab
• PSYC 102 – Introduction to Psychology
• STAT 200 – Elementary Statistics
• One approved research course (e.g., BIOS 495, CHEM 498, HSCI 460, PSYC 305, UHHS 301 or 499H)

To remain in good standing, you must complete four courses by your second year, attend the Professional Development Training Academy by the end of year three, and maintain a 3.25 GPA in biology, chemistry, physics and math (BCPM) coursework.

Completion of these requirements will result in the notation appearing on your official NIU transcript.

NIU uses Suitable to track the co-curricular portion of the Pre-health Professions Program. Within Suitable, students complete the Pre-health Scholars Badge, which verifies your experiences and progress toward the transcript notation.

How to Access Suitable

• Visit the Suitable website or download the Suitable iOS app or Android app.
• Log in using your NIU Launchpad credentials (your Z-ID email format).
• If you land on “Featured” you should then go to Milestones – Achievements – Pre-health Scholars Badge.
• You may also use the direct link.

What You’ll Complete in Suitable

• 10 engagement activities focused on diversity and healthcare
• 25+ hours of healthcare simulations or job shadowing
• One research experience
• One leadership experience
• Completion of the Professional Development Training Academy modules

Each task is verified in Suitable through uploads, reflections or supervisor confirmation. Your dashboard will show which requirements are complete, in progress or remaining.

Why It Matters

Completing both the academic coursework and Pre-health Scholars Badge requirements demonstrates:

• Academic preparation
• Professionalism and service
• Leadership and teamwork
• Commitment to healthcare

Earning this notation strengthens your application for professional schools and sets you apart as an engaged and prepared pre-health scholar.