Pre-Health Professions Programs
So, you want to be a doctor? dentist? physical therapist? pharmacist? or other healthcare professional? Great! You can certainly become a competitive applicant at UNA and attend one of these professional schools. The Pre-Health Professions Program at UNA are designed to provide tools, support, resources and quality academic advising for students interested in careers in the health professions.
The Pre-Health Professions Advisor will assist undergraduates, alumni, and post-baccalaureate students by providing information about various healthcare careers in addition to helping students find shadowing opportunities and write their personal statement. In addition, information about summer programs, research opportunities and pertinent information regarding the application process is provided. We ensure that a pre-health student is working towards a competitive application for health professions school.
The first thing you need to know is that you can major in any discipline and matriculate to a health professions school. Choose a major that you like, that you will like spending many hours studying, and that gives you options should you decide not to attend health professions school.
All health professions schools evaluate candidates on their academic record, volunteer experiences, shadowing experiences, and scores on the appropriate standardized tests. Almost all health professions schools required that you earn your undergraduate degree before matriculating to their school. A student who earns a degree in less than four years may apply, but should be aware that understanding the human condition and developing good judgement require maturity and experience. Admissions committees may question the breadth of education, maturity, experience, and motivation of such an applicant and this may put that applicant at a disadvantage.
Each student's journey to be a competitive candidate is unique. UNA has a Pre-Health Professions Advisor who can help you on your journey.
We currently have medical students 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
We have dental students 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
We have pharmacy students at:
- McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University, Birmingham, AL
- Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
- Belmont University College of Pharmacy, Nashville, TN
- Union University College of Pharmacy, Jackson, TN
We have veterinary medical students at:
- Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL
- Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS
We have optometry students at:
- Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL
- University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry, Birmingham, AL
We have physician assistant students at:
- Mississippi College, Clinton, MS
- University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
We have occupational therapy students at:
- University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
We have physical therapy students at:
- Samford University College of Health Sciences, Birmingham, AL
When you come to UNA, your classes will prepare you for the academic rigors of a health professions school. The science courses you will take will be hard and challenging, but that is to be expected. This journey you are embarking on is a difficult one, but many students have traveled this road before you. Many will follow you!
Want to talk with the Pre-Health Professions Advisor? Schedule an appointment by emailing one of us directly or email prehealth@una.edu.