SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
Health Professions Advising at Penn State Behrend
Health Professions Advisor: Dr.
James Warren
814-898-6986; jtw4@psu.edu
Throughout their college career, the prospective health professions students should seek the advice of their academic advisor as well as the health professions advisor.
Any major can be chosen, as long as the required courses are taken. However, biology and chemistry are the most common majors. Many professional school require a college degree, although this requirement varies somewhat among schools. There is no requirement for a "pre-health professions" (i.e. pre-med) major.
The health professions advisor will help the student determine when certain courses should be taken to assure adequate preparation for professional school and adequate performance on the various professional school entrance exams (MCAT, OAT, DAT, VCAT, GRE, etc.).
The health professions advisor is also available to assist the prospective health profession student in the application process. The student will coordinate with the health professions advisor in obtaining the necessary letters of recommendation from faculty. The health professions advisor then prepares a evaluation packet, which includes the letters of recommendation from each faculty member as well as a summary letter written by the health professions advisor, that will be sent to the schools the student is applying.
To help students with the career explorations process, a First-Year Seminar, taken during the first or second semester, explores careers in health care and the biomedical sciences. A second course at the 200-level (Pre-Medical Seminar), taken during the fourth semester, focuses on the application process and professional school expectations.
See a wide variety of health professions links on the Pre-Medical Seminar page.