Undergraduate Programs
Pre-Health Preparation as a Public Health Student
Public Health: The Foundation for Every Healthcare Journey
If you're passionate about improving lives and envision a future in healthcare, a bachelor's degree in Public Health is the perfect place to begin. Whether you're planning to apply to a nursing program or pursue a graduate or professional degree in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, or another health profession, Public Health provides the strong foundation you need to reach your goals.
Our program combines a broad understanding of health, disease prevention, and community well-being with opportunities to complete many of the prerequisite courses required for competitive health profession programs. Along the way, you'll develop the critical thinking, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills that healthcare employers and graduate programs value.
With personalized advising, hands-on learning experiences, and a curriculum designed to prepare you for what's next, you'll graduate ready to take the next step on your path to a rewarding career in healthcare. Wherever your journey leads, Public Health can help you get there.
Disclaimer: The example plans below are specific to the University of Arizona profession programs and are provided for illustrative purposes only. Program requirements and prerequisite courses are subject to change. Students are responsible for verifying current admission requirements and prerequisite coursework for any professional program and institution to which they plan to apply.
Highlighted Plans and Additional Links
Physical Therapy Physician Assistant Nursing Pre-Health Overview
Public Health: A Pathway to Physical Therapy
Students interested in the University of Arizona's School of Health Professions Physical Therapy Program or similar programs nationwide can complete their prerequisite coursework while building a strong foundation in public health. Through this pathway, students gain valuable healthcare knowledge, skills, and experiences that strengthen their applications and prepare them for future careers in physical therapy and beyond.
Pre-Physical Therapy Example Plan
The sample semester plan illustrates how you can stay on track to earn your Bachelor of Science in Public Health while completing many of the prerequisite courses commonly required for admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. Course requirements vary by institution, so students should work closely with their academic advisor to develop a plan that aligns with their intended physical therapy programs.
School of Health Professions - Physical Therapy Admissions
Interested in pursuing physical therapy? Learn more about the University of Arizona School of Health Professions Physical Therapy Program, including admissions requirements, prerequisite courses, and application information to help you prepare for your future career in physical therapy.
Public Health: A Pathway to Physician Assistant Program
Students interested in the University of Arizona's School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program or similar programs nationwide can complete prerequisite coursework while building a strong foundation in public health. Through this pathway, students develop the healthcare knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional skills needed to become competitive applicants while gaining valuable experiences that prepare them for success in physician assistant education and future clinical practice.
Pre-Physician Assistant Example Plan
The sample semester plan illustrates how you can stay on track to earn your Bachelor of Science in Public Health while completing many of the prerequisite courses commonly required for admission to Physician Assistant (PA) programs. Prerequisite requirements vary by institution, so students should work closely with their academic advisor to develop a plan that aligns with the admission requirements of their intended physician assistant programs.
School of Health Professions - Physician Assistant Admissions
Interested in becoming a physician assistant? Learn more about the University of Arizona School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program, including admissions requirements, prerequisite courses, and application information to help you prepare for a rewarding career as a physician assistant.
Public Health: A Pathway to Master of Science - Entry to the Profession of Nursing
Students interested in the University of Arizona's College of Nursing Master's Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program or similar programs nationwide can complete their prerequisite coursework while building a strong foundation in Public Health. Through this pathway, students gain valuable healthcare knowledge, skills, and experiences that strengthen their applications and prepare them for future careers as professional nurses and leaders in healthcare.
Pre-Nursing Example Plan
The sample semester plan illustrates how you can stay on track to earn your Bachelor of Science in Public Health while completing many of the prerequisite courses commonly required for admission to the University of Arizona's Master of Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program. Because admission requirements and prerequisite coursework may change, students should work closely with their academic advisor to develop a plan that aligns with the University of Arizona MEPN program and their individual academic and career goals.
College of Nursing: Master of Nursing - Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) Admissions
Interested in pursuing a career in nursing? Learn more about the University of Arizona Master of Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program, including admissions requirements, prerequisite courses, and application information to help you prepare for a future as a registered nurse.
Find the Right Path with Academic Advising
Successful preparation for a health profession requires thoughtful planning for both your undergraduate degree and your long-term career goals. Meeting regularly with your academic advisor helps ensure you are making progress toward your degree requirements, while pre-health advising can help you identify prerequisite coursework, strengthen your professional school application, and prepare for the admissions process. By taking advantage of both advising resources, you can create a comprehensive academic plan that keeps you on track for graduation and well prepared for your next step.
Pre-Health Professions Advising A-Center
Students interested in exploring careers in the health professions beyond the College of Public Health's outlined pathways, or those seeking advising specific to their pre-health goals, are encouraged to connect with the A-Center. The A-Center provides specialized pre-health advising, resources, and guidance to help students prepare for professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and other health professions.
College of Public Health Advising
Students who know they want to major in Public Health are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor early in their undergraduate career to discuss how they can align their degree plan with their professional program goals. Whether planning to pursue an accelerated master's program, a pre-health pathway, or another graduate or professional degree, your advisor can help you identify coursework and opportunities that support your academic and career aspirations.
