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Other Pre-Health Tracks

Student presenting her research; Close-up of lab equipment; Group study session in a classroomLoyola’s pre-health office helps you identify the path that best matches your interests and talents. We work with you to help you stay on top of the most recent changes in the field of health care so that you can identify your strengths and grow to be a competitive professional even in areas of health care that you might not have considered previously.  and the Bureau of Labor Statistics'  are good places to begin your journey of discovery.

Resources for students interested in veterinary medicine

provide care for the health of small and large animals as well as protect the public against diseases transmitted by animals. Veterinarians have a  (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) from an and a license to practice in their state.

Undergraduate :

  • 2 semesters of biology with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of general chemistry with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory
  • 1–2 semesters of biochemistry
  • 2 semesters of physics with laboratory
  • 1–2 semesters of mathematics, calculus and/or statistics at 200-level
  • Recommended courses: genetics, microbiology, physiology, morphology

Target Undergraduate cumulative GPA: >3.5

Experience: > 400 hours of volunteering and work with animals

Standardized Graduate Admission Test: 

Application Information

  • As a veterinary medical college applicant, you will take part in Loyola’s on-campus pre-health committee process and interview
  • Stay on top of your pre-veterinary studies and planning with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges’ 
  • Apply to one of the country’s 30  through the  (VMCAS)
Resources for students interested in podiatry

provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. Podiatrists have a  (D.P.M.) from  and a license to practice in their state.

Undergraduate :

  • 2 semesters of biology with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of general chemistry with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of physics with laboratory
  • Recommended courses include microbiology, biochemistry, and psychology

Target undergraduate cumulative GPA: >3.3

Experience: community service, internships and/or research, health care experiences, and acquaintance with podiatric medicine

Standardized Graduate Admission Test:  or in some limited cases 

Application Information

  • As a podiatric medical college applicant, you will take part in Loyola’s on-campus pre-health committee process and interview
  • Stay on top of your pre-podiatry studies and planning with guidance of the 
  • The best resource for the country’s nine podiatric medical colleges is the 
  • Apply to podiatric medical colleges through the (AACPMAS)
Resources for students interested in physical therapy

offer education and health services that help people maintain or restore their movement and manage pain after illness or injury. Physical therapists have a  (D.P.T.) from an accredited three-year physical therapy program and a license to practice in their state. All master’s degree programs in physical therapy were discontinued in 2015.

Undergraduate :

  • 2 semesters of biology with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of general chemistry with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of physics with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology at 200-level 
  • 1-2 semesters of psychology
  • 1 semester of statistics at 100 or 200-level 
  • Recommended courses: additional biology courses, a social science course

Target Undergraduate cumulative GPA: >3.5

Experience: > 150 hours of signed physical therapy shadow hours and other health care experience

Standardized Graduate Admission Test: 

Application Information

  • Stay on top of your pre-physical therapy studies and planning with the â€™s resources for 
  • Apply to one of the country’s over 200 accredited  through the  (PTCAS)
Resources for students interested in pharmacy

dispense prescription medications to patients, educate patients and the public in effective and safe use of medications, as well as provide wellness screenings and immunizations. Pharmacists have a  (Pharm.D.) from an accredited four-year pharmacy program and a license to practice in their state.

Undergraduate :

  • 2 semesters of biology with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of general chemistry with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of physics with laboratory
  • 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology at 200-level
  • 1 semester of microbiology
  • 1 –2 semesters of psychology 
  • 1 semester of statistics at 100 or 200-level 
  • 1 semester of calculus 
  • 1 semester of public speaking

Target Undergraduate cumulative GPA: > 3.2

Experience: pharmacist shadow hours and other health care experience, community service, leadership

Standardized Graduate Admission Test: 

Application Information

  • Stay on top of your pre-pharmacy studies and planning with the  resources for 
  • Apply to one of the country’s approximately 140 accredited pharmacy programs through the  (PharmCAS)
Resources for students interested in public health

Professionals involved in the promotion of  promote and protect the health and well-being of people through prevention, education, research, and community engagement. Professionals in the field of public health typically have a  from accredited programs that offer education in public health, health policy, or health care administration.

Undergraduate pre-requisites and recommended courses:

  • Schools of public health do not follow a clearly defined standard of pre-requisite courses
  • Recommended course work includes familiarity with biological and other natural sciences, statistics, and social and behavioral sciences
  • Students interested in research careers in epidemiology and other quantitative fields of public health study are encouraged to pursue course work on mathematics, statistics, and data science
  • Students interested in public health and health care administration are encouraged to pursue course work in business administration, economics, statistics, and data science

Target Undergraduate cumulative GPA: > 3.0

Experience: exposure to health care, community service, and leadership

Standardized Graduate Admission Test: 

Application Information

  • Stay on top of your pre-public health studies and planning with the  guidance for the prospective students
  • You can apply to most, but not all, of the country’s approximately 150  or programs through the  (SOPHAS)
Resources for students interested in optometry
  • General information: , the , and the American Optometric Association
  • Application information: 
  • Standardized Graduate Admission Test: 
Resources for students interested in occupational therapy
  • General information: , the , and the American Occupational Therapy Association 
  • Application information: 
Resources for students interested in chiropractic medicine
  • General information: , the , and the  
  • Application information: Each of the nation’s 10 chiropractic schools have their own application processes
Resources for students interested in naturopathic medicine
  • General information: and the 
  • Application information: The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges 
Juliabiopsychology major/pre-nursing track

Beyond my science courses, my Jesuit education at Loyola has taught me to care for the individual in all aspects of life. I think this is especially important in health care, because I will be caring for sick people, and I think it's easy in health care to just focus on symptoms and tests. However, the Jesuit value of cura personalis inspires me to care for my patients in all aspects of their life. In turn, this will make me a better health care professional—and a better person.

Contact Us

Maiju Lehmijoki Wetzel, Ph.D., B.S.N., R.N.
Director of Pre-Health Programs
Phone: 410-617-2218
Email: prehealth@loyola.edu
Office: Donnelly Science 147