Pre-Health Academic Plans
At Simmons, Pre-Health tracks are made up of a solid foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics along with a background in the social sciences and humanities. These courses help students fulfill the prerequisites required for many postgraduate programs and prepare for standardized admission tests (i.e. MCAT, DAT). Pre-Health tracks are NOT majors, so students must also select a major in their area of interest. Pre-Health track requirements can be fulfilled within the context of any science or liberal arts major offered at Simmons.
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Many athletic trainers work in educational settings, such as colleges, universities, elementary schools, and secondary schools. Others work in hospitals, fitness centers, or physicians’ offices, or for professional sports teams.
Athletic Training program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take GRE and to complete the prerequisite coursework. The Pre-AT Academic Plan accounts for the most common prerequisites. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the CAATE Directory.
"Pre-Dental" includes students considering continued education and careers in the following areas:
- D.D.M. Doctor of Dental Medicine
- D.D.S. Doctor of Dental Surgery
The Pre-Dental Academic Plan is a tool providing an overview of admissions requirements, coursework, timelines and tips for applicants. Please review this guide, consider individual circumstances and discuss questions with your advisor(s).
Sample Pre-Dental Timeline
The Pre-Dental Academic Plan includes an example of how you may wish to take courses. This is a plan generally appropriate for a science major who does not plan to take a gap year before beginning dental school. Timing of these courses may change due to your major/minor requirements, placement exam results, academic performance or availability.
Helpful Resources
"Pre-Med" includes students considering continued education and careers in the following areas:
- M.D: Doctor of Medicine, Allopathic Medicine
- D.O.: Doctor of Osteopathy
- M.D./PH.D.
There are two types of medical schools in the United States that allow students to go on to practices as general physicians: Allopathic (MD) medical schools, and Osteopathic (DO) medical schools. Most of these resources apply to both MD and DO schools. This article from Medical School HQ does a great job outlining the differences (and many similarities) between MDs and DOs.
NOTE: The courses outlined in the Pre-Med Academic Planning Worksheet can also be used as a baseline for Pre-Health students on the following tracks: Pre-MD/DO-Ph.D., Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Podiatry.
Getting Started
The Pre-Med Academic Plan is a tool providing an overview of admissions requirements, coursework, timelines and tips for applicants. Please review this guide, consider individual circumstances and discuss questions with your advisor(s).
Sample Pre-Med Timeline
The Pre-Med Academic Plan includes an example of how you may wish to take courses. This is a plan generally appropriate for a science major. Timing of these courses may change due to your major/minor requirements, placement exam results, academic performance or availability.
Helpful Resources
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Preparing for Medical School
- AAMC Tools for Medical School Applicants
- AAMC Taking the MCAT Exam
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM): Information for Applicants
- The Pre-Med Years Podcast
- Researching MD Schools
- Medical School Secondary Application Library
- Five Podcasts for Pre-Meds
- AAMC Fee Assistance Program
Learn More about our School of Nursing.
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.
Occupational Therapy program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take GRE and to complete prerequisite coursework. The Pre-OT Academic Plan accounts for the most common prerequisites. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the AOTA Directory.
"Pre-PA" includes students considering master's level Physician Assistant programs.
The Pre-PA Academic Plan is a tool providing an overview of admissions requirements, coursework, timelines and tips for applicants. Please review this guide, consider individual circumstances and discuss questions with your advisor(s).
Please note that prerequisites for PA programs vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools on their admission websites. Many schools require patient care hours (can range from 200-2000 hours).
Sample Pre-PA Timeline
The Pre-PA Academic Plan includes an example of how you may wish to take courses. This is a plan generally appropriate for a science major who does not plan to take a gap year before beginning PA school. Timing of these courses may change due to your major/minor requirements, placement exam results, academic performance or availability.
Helpful Resources
Learn more about our Physical Therapy Department.
"Pre-Vet" includes students considering continued education and careers in the following areas:
- D.V.M. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The Pre-Vet Academic Plan is a tool providing an overview of admissions requirements, coursework, timelines and tips for applicants. Please review this guide, consider individual circumstances and discuss questions with your advisor(s).
Veterinary school admission is very competitive because there are very few programs. The average applicant takes three application cycles to be admitted. Exposure to veterinary medicine and hands-on animal care experience is vital to build a competitive veterinary school application.
Sample Pre-Veterinary Timeline
The Pre-Vet Academic Plan includes an example of how you may wish to take courses. This is a plan generally appropriate for a science major who does not plan to take a gap year before beginning veterinary school. Timing of these courses may change due to your major/minor requirements, placement exam results, academic performance or availability.
Helpful Resources
English/Writing
Most health professional programs require at least two English or writing classes.
- The Boston 101 writing course counts as one course
- It is recommended to take a course with the "LTWR" course code to fulfill the second course.Popular Examples include (but are not limited to)
- LTWR 105: Creative Writing NonFiction
- LTWR 124: Narrative and Medicine
- The Environmental Writing Integrated Learning Course can also fulfill this requirement
Mathematics
Calculus is required for PHYS 114/115 at Simmons, but not for PHYS 110/111. The majority of medical and dental schools do not require calculus, but some require 2 semesters of math. Calculus is required for pharmacy and optometry. Take this into consideration in addition to requirements for your major when deciding whether to take calculus.
Note: The University of Massachusetts Medical School requires 1 semester of calculus.
Using AP Credits for Medical or Dental School
Schools vary in their AP policies. Some schools will accept them, some will only accept them for certain classes, and some won't accept them at all. A good rule of thumb is that if Simmons gave you credit for a specific course (like calculus), then schools will honor that. If you are using AP credit for a core science prerequisite (like Chemistry or Biology), you should plan on taking more intermediate/advanced coursework with a lab in the same discipline. (For example, if you place out of chemistry, you should plan on taking an additional inorganic chemistry class beyond what's already required.) Often, students choose to take the introductory chemistry course or biology course regardless of AP credit to adjust to the college atmosphere and meet peers with similar interests.
Taking Summer Courses to Fulfill Prerequisites
Summer courses are fine. When you apply, you will need to get a transcript from everywhere you've taken courses, and these courses will factor into a total undergraduate GPA.
You can take courses at another institution with a few caveats
- Don't split sequences. For example, don't take Organic Chemistry 1 at Simmons and Organic Chemistry 2 elsewhere. There will inevitably be gaps or overlaps in the material.
- Schools strongly prefer you to take coursework at a 4-year institution.
Making Sufficient Progress
Don't worry if you don't do as well in your first semester/yer as you hoped. Many students have their worst semester during their first year. If you show consistent improvement going forward, it will ease any concerns about your ability to handle coursework in the professional program.