These groups of majors reflect the segment of the health care field that delivers services involving the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and disorders; dietary and nutrition services; and rehabilitation and health systems management. Careers in these professions play roles in evaluating and assessing a patient’s needs, keeping the physician and others informed of the patient’s progress and caring for the patient. Others work independently as specialists in exercise, nutrition, health education, and daily function.
Programs of Study, Degrees, and Certificates
Pre-Professional Majors
Students planning to attend a dental, medical, optometry, or veterinary school can achieve an undergraduate degree in any major. However, it is highly recommended that students select majors or coursework related to dentistry, medicine, optometry, or veterinary medicine to meet admission requirements and to be better prepared for the profession.
In addition to a competitive grade point average, professional schools base their selection on motivation, extracurricular activities, work experience related to the health sciences, test scores, application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and interview.
Dentistry
Dental education requires a minimum of seven years of college.
Admissions Requirements
- Dental Admission Test (DAT)
- Education varies: 90-96 semester units completed from an accredited college, baccalaureate degree preferred.
Required courses
- BIOL 402, 422, 430, and 431
- CHEM 400, 401; 425, 426 or 420, 421 PHYS 350, 360
Medicine
Medical education requires a minimum of eight years of college and residency.
Admission Requirements
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Education varies: at least 90 semester hours /120-140 quarter hours or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Required Courses
- BIOL 402, 422
- CHEM 400, 401, and 425, 426 or 420, 421 MATH 350, 351 or 400, 401
- PHYS 350, 360
Optometry
Optometry education requires a minimum of seven years of college.
Admissions Requirements
- Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
- California schools require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Required Courses
- BIOL 402, 422, 440
- CHEM 400; 425, 426 or 420, 421 MATH 350, 351 or 400, 401 PHYS 350, 360
- PSYC 300 or 480
- STAT 300 or 480
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine education requires a minimum of seven years of college.
Admissions Requirements
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited Institution
Required Major Preparation
- BIOL 402 and 422; 430 and 431; 440
- CHEM 400 and 401; 420 and 421; or 425 and 426
- PHYS 350 and 360
- ENGWR 300 or 488; 301, and 302 or 482
- COMM 301
- STAT 300 or 480
- Humanities and Social Science (minimum of 9 semester units)
Pharmacy education requires a minimum of six years of college.
Admissions Requirements
- Education varies: minimum 60 units, a bachelor’s degree preferred from an accredited institution
Required Courses
- BIOL 402, 422
- CHEM 400, 401; 425, 426 or 420, 421 MATH 350, 351 or 400, 401
- PHYS 410, 420
Academic Counselor(s)
Jamil Malik
Email: malikj@scc.losrios.edu
Anh Nguyen
Email: Nguyena2@scc.losrios.edu