Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Health Studies

Introduction

This non-degree certificate program is designed for college graduates whose undergraduate background does not meet the requirements for admission to professional training programs in the health sciences (e.g., programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine). This rigorous program should provide post-baccalaureate students a formal option for gaining both academic instruction in the health sciences and the advisement they need for successful entry into professional training.

Program Coordination

The Pre-health Professions Advisory Committee (Pre-PAC) is strongly committed to individually advising students in this program. Starting with evaluation of all undergraduate transcripts, the Pre-PAC will determine if any course requirements should be waived, substituted or extended to best serve the individual student’s needs and goals. The Pre-PAC is currently composed of eight faculty members (two from Biomolecular Sciences, one from Biological Sciences, two from Chemistry, one from Physics/Earth Sciences, and two from Psychology), including the Program coordinator (P. Osei, Biological Sciences), and the Pre-PAC Chair (N Glagovich, Chemistry).

Admissions

Students must have completed a bachelors degree to participate in the program, but may begin the application process in the last semester of their senior year of college. Potential students will contact the Chair of the Pre-PAC to request an application packet. The application will require official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and an essay describing why the student is interested in the program. Completed applications should be sent through the Graduate Admissions Office. The Pre-PAC Chair will schedule an interview with the applicant, during which an advisory committee (including the Chief Health Professions Advisor) will work with the candidate to develop an individualized plan of study in keeping with his/her academic background and professional goals.

Applications must be received by December 1 for students wishing both to begin classes in the spring and continue into the summer to be considered for financial aid as matriculated students. However, students may begin the program in any semester and applications will be accepted throughout the year within the graduate admission deadlines of July 1 and December 1. Post-baccalaureate certificate students are classified as graduate students; they may be either part-time or full-time and may qualify for financial aid. Only students matriculated as full-time may take nine or more credits a semester. Part-time and nonmatriculated students are limited to less than nine credits/semester.

Program Size and Structure

While each student's academic program will be tailored to meet the student's specific academic needs and professional goals, shown below is a model program that is appropriate for a student with a minimal science background. The proposed certificate program consists of 45 credits. Following the accelerated schedule outlined below, a student may complete this program in 15 months. Smaller academic programs would be possible for students with some science background (for example, first year biology or chemistry already completed), with a lower limit of 26 credits. Any individual program must be selected and approved in consultation with the Pre-PAC advisory committee at the admission interview. A minimum of 18 credits in the planned program must be taken at CCSU.

Academic Standards

The student must maintain a 3.00 (B) cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in order to be in good academic standing. Good academic standing is required to receive the post-baccalaureate certificate.

Registration

Post-baccalaureate students will be classified as graduate students but need not be matriculated. However, only matriculated graduate students may take a full-time (minimum 9 credits/semester) load and may qualify for financial aid. Full-time students will be classified as graduates in a certificate program called "Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-health Studies." Upon completion of the planned certificate program, a certificate will be issued from the Office of Continuing Education. The official transcript will read "Competed Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-health Studies."

Graduate Credit

Completion of this program does not lead to a graduate degree. However, courses at the 400-level or above that are taken as part of the post-baccalaureate certificate program may be counted towards a master's degree, provided that: the graduate-syllabus option is elected at the time of course registration, all master's program admissions and degree requirements are met, and the courses are part of a planned program of study approved by the master's degree advisor.

Accelerated Model Program:

Each student’s planned program must be selected and approved in consultation with the Pre-PAC advisory committee. This Model Program represents an upper credit-hour limit, appropriate for a student with minimal previous course work in the natural sciences (assumes Math 125, and Bio 121 or equivalent prerequisites have been met). The lower credit-hour limit would be 26 cr. A minimum of 18 credits in the planned program must be taken at CCSU.

Website Administrator Michael Davis
Revised 11/09/09 12:42 PM

URL http://www.prehealth.ccsu.edu/postbacc.htm