Pre Health

Professions We Advise

Our Office advises USF students on the below health career fields. These programs usually require an undergraduate degree before entrering. Under each career you will find the common pre-requisites, matriculant metrics, and more! 

Anesthesiology Assistant (MSA)

Anesthesiology Assistants are highly skilled professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists and as part of a patient's anesthesia care team to design and implement anesthesia care plans.

AA Info Sheet

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I & II with labs: BSC 2010/L and BSC 2011/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L 
  • Organic Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2210/L and CHM 2211/L 
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs: BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C OR BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L 
  • Physics I & II with labs: PHY 2053/L and PHY 2054/L OR PHY 2048/L and PHY 2049/L 
  • English I: ENC 1101
  • Calculus: MAC 2241 OR MAC 2311 
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • Biochemistry: BCH 3053 OR BCH 4033

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.55 
  • Science GPA: 3.45 
  • MCAT or GRE: 500+ for MCAT OR >310 for GRE 

Chiropractor (DC)

Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the body’s structure and function and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. When appropriate, Doctors of Chiropractics work in cooperation with the patient’s other health care practitioners.

Chiropractic Info Sheet

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I & II with labs: BSC 2010/L and BSC 2011/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Organic Chemistry I with lab: CHM 2210/L
  • Physics I & II with labs: PHY 2053/L and PHY 2054/L OR PHY 2048/L and PHY 2049/L 
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs: BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C OR BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L 
  • English I & II: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 
  • General Psychology: PSY 2012
  • Social Sciences or Humanities Courses (15+ credits) 

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.0
  • Science GPA: 3.0
  • No Standardized Test Required

Dentist (DMD/DDS)

Dentistry is the branch of the healing arts and sciences devoted to maintaining oral health. General dentists are graduates of dental school and hold a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree.

Dental Info Sheet

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I & II with labs: BSC 2010/L and BSC 2011/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Organic Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2210/L and CHM 2211/L 
  • Physics I & II with labs: PHY 2053/L and PHY 2054/L OR PHY 2048/L and PHY 2049/L 
  • General Microbiology with lab: MCB 3020/L 
  • Biochemistry: BCH 3053 OR BCH 4033
  • English I & II: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.61
  • Science GPA: 3.54
  • DAT: 19.6

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Occupational therapists help people of all ages to fully engage in their daily lives, from their work and recreation to activities of daily living like getting dressed, cooking, eating and driving.

OT Info Sheet

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I with lab: BSC 2010/L
  • General Chemistry I with lab: CHM 2045/L
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs: BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C OR BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L
  • Physics I with lab: PHY 2053/L OR PHY 2048/L
  • General Psychology: PSY 2012
  • Abnormal Psychology: CLP 4143
  • Developmental Psychology: DEP 4053
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • Medical Terminology: CLT 3040 OR HSC 4537 

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.2
  • Science GPA: 3.1
  • GRE: >50th percentile 

Optometrist (OD)

Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and the associated structures, as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. 

Optometry Info Sheet

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I & II with labs: BSC 2010/L and BSC 2011/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Organic Chemistry I with lab: CHM 2210/L
  • Physics I & II with labs: PHY 2053/L and PHY 2054/L OR PHY 2048/L and PHY 2049/L 
  • General Microbiology with lab: MCB 3020/L 
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab: BSC 2093C OR BSC 2085/L
  • Biochemistry: BCH 3053 OR BCH 4033
  • Calculus: MAC 2241 OR MAC 2311
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • English I & II: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.51
  • Science GPA: 3.4
  • OAT: >349

Pharmacist (PharmD)

Pharmacists are medication experts and play a critical role in helping people get the best results from their medications. Pharmacists prepare and dispense prescriptions as well as indivdulaize drug therapy based on a patient's age, weight, allergies, diet, etc. 

Pharmacy Info Sheet 

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I & II with labs: BSC 2010/L and BSC 2011/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Organic Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2210/L and CHM 2211/L
  • Physics I with lab: PHY 2053/L OR PHY 2048/L
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs: BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C OR BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L
  • General Microbiology with lab: MCB 3020/L 
  • Genetics: PCB 3063 
  • Cell or Molecular Biology: PCB 3023 OR MCB 3410
  • Calculus: MAC 2241 OR MAC 2311
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • Economics: ECO 2013 OR ECO 2023
  • English I & II: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 
  • General Psychology or Sociology: PSY 2012 OR SYG 2000
  • Social Sciences or Humanities Courses (9+ credits) 

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.35
  • Science GPA: 3.21
  • PCAT: 54th percentile 

Physician (MD/DO/DPM)

There are three types of physicians, Allopathic (MD), Osteopathic (DO), and Podiatric (DPM). Allopathic and Osteopathic Physicians work in a variety of medical fields diagnosing and treating patients for all kinds of diseases and injuries as well as emphasizing preventative medicine. They take the same board exams and apply to the same residency programs. Podiatrists are instead specialists focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot disorders. 

Medical Info Sheet 

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I & II with labs: BSC 2010/L and BSC 2011/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Organic Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2210/L and CHM 2211/L
  • Physics I & II with labs: PHY 2053/L and PHY 2054/L OR PHY 2048/L and PHY 2049/L 
  • Genetics: PCB 3063
  • Biochemistry: BCH 3053 OR BCH 4033
  • English I & II: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102
  • Pre-calculus or higher: MAC 1147+
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • The MCAT also requires additional requirements to have the foundation to be successful on the exam: 
    • General Psychology: PSY 2012 
    • General Sociology: SYG 2000
    • An Upper-level Psychology course: PSB 4004C OR GEY 4612 OR SYP 3000
    • A Physiology course or sequence: PCB 3712 OR PCB 4744 OR BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: MD- 3.75 / DO- 3.58 / DPM- 3.4
  • Science GPA: MD- 3.68 / DO- 3.49 / DPM- 3.3
  • MCAT: MD- 512+ / DO- 504+ / DPM- 494+

Physician Assistant (PA)

Physician Assistants are medical providers who are licensed to diagnose and treat illness & disease and to prescribe medication for patients. They work in physician offices, hospitals, and clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician.

PA Info Sheet 

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I with lab: BSC 2010/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Organic Chemistry I with lab: CHM 2210/L
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs: BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C OR BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L
  • General Microbiology with lab: MCB 3020/L 
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • Medical Terminology: CLT 3040 OR HSC 4537 
  • PA Schools have some of the most diverse pre-reqs, so you must review each school's requirements to ensure you meet all pre-reqs. 

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.53
  • Science GPA: 3.48
  • GRE: >300 / >55th percentile 

Physical Therapist (PT)

Physical Therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.

PT Info Sheet 

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I with lab: BSC 2010/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs: BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C OR BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L
  • Physics I & II with labs: PHY 2053/L and PHY 2054/L OR PHY 2048/L and PHY 2049/L 
  • Psychology (2 Semesters): PSY 2012 and one additional - DEP 2004, CLP 4143, OR DEP 4053
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • Some PT Schools highly recommend the following as well: 
    • Organic Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2210/L and CHM 2211/L
    • Biochemistry with lab: BCH 3053 OR BCH 4033 and BCH 3023L 

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.55
  • Science GPA: 3.45
  • GRE: >50th percentile 

Veterinarian (DVM)

Veterinarians work to improve the health of both animals and humans through the preventative and medical care for companion animals, agricultural animals, and exotic animals. They use their skills to evaluate patients, make diagnoses, and treat a wide range of conditions. 

Vet Info Sheet

Common Pre-reqs

  • Biology I & II with labs: BSC 2010/L and BSC 2011/L
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2045/L and CHM 2046/L
  • Organic Chemistry I & II with labs: CHM 2210/L and CHM 2211/L
  • Physics I & II with labs: PHY 2053/L and PHY 2054/L OR PHY 2048/L and PHY 2049/L 
  • General Microbiology with lab: MCB 3020/L
  • Genetics: PCB 3063
  • Biochemistry: BCH 3053 OR BCH 4033
  • English I & II: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 
  • Calculus: MAC 2241 OR MAC 2311
  • Statistics: STA 2023
  • Animal Nutrition & Animal Science courses

Matriculant Metrics

  • Overall GPA: 3.6
  • Science GPA: 3.5
  • GRE: >309 / 60-67th percentile