Are you interested in becoming a doctor, dentist, physical therapist, pharmacist, or another healthcare professional? That’s fantastic! You can definitely become a competitive applicant at UNA and gain admission to one of these professional schools. The Pre-Health Professions Tracks at UNA are designed to equip students with the tools, support, resources, and quality academic advising needed for careers in the health professions. Please note that the pre-health “tracks” are not majors or minors, but guidelines for students to ensure they complete the prerequisite courses. UNA does offer majors through the Pre-Health Biology option within the Biology major and the Professional Health Science option within the Chemistry major.

The Pre-Health Professions Advisors support undergraduates, alumni, and post-baccalaureate students by offering information on healthcare careers and guiding them on what is needed to become competitive applicants for health profession schools.

For pre-health professions, students can major in anything they like as long as they fulfill the prerequisites for admission into graduate school. It’s important to select a major that you enjoy, one that you are willing to spend many hours studying, and that offers options in case you decide not to pursue health professions school. Most pre-health students at UNA tend to choose biology or chemistry.

All pre-health advising is split between Chemistry and Biology faculty. For students interested in majoring in Chemistry/Physics, they should contact Dr. Sara Johnson (sjohnson34@una.edu). For all other majors, the advisor is Dr. Chris Cottingham (ccottingham@una.edu).  

Health professions schools assess candidates based on their academic records, volunteer experiences, shadowing opportunities, and scores on the relevant standardized tests. Nearly all of these schools require that you complete your undergraduate degree before enrolling. While students who earn a degree in less than four years can apply, they should recognize that understanding the human condition and developing sound judgment take maturity and experience. Admissions committees may question the applicant's breadth of education, maturity, experience, and motivation, which could place them at a disadvantage.

Each student's path to becoming a competitive candidate is unique..

We have had students in medical school at:

• University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
• University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus, Auburn, AL
• East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN
• Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, KY
• St. George's University of Medicine, True Blue, Grenada
• Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL
• Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO
• West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewisburg, WV

We have had students in dental schools at:

• University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL
• University of Kentucky School of Dentistry, Lexington, KY
• University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY
• University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis TN
• Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha, NE
• Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Davie, FL

We have had pharmacy students at:

• McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University, Birmingham, AL
• Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
• Belmont University College of Pharmacy, Nashville, TN
• Union University College of Pharmacy, Jackson, TN
• Lipscomb College of Pharmacy, Nashville, TN

We have had veterinary medical students at:

• Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL
• Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA
• Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS
• University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN

We have had optometry students at:

• Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL
• University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry, Birmingham, AL

We have had physician assistant students at:

• Mississippi College, Clinton, MS
• South College, Nashville, TN
• University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
• University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

We have occupational therapy students at:

• University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

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