Physical therapist massages patient's knee

Pre-Health Programs

Pre-health programs offers support, resources, programs and referrals to prepare pre-health undergraduates for admission to and success in graduate preparation programs for health careers. Within the University College you will receive support from pre-health advisors, and within the College of Health and Human Services, you will be supported by pre-health success coaches.  Staff are available one-on-one during scheduled appointments and will assist with navigating application timelines, requirements, and program prerequisites.

Pre-Health programs supported:

  • Allopathic Medicine (MD)
  • Chiropractic (DC)
  • Dental (DMD)
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Optometry (DO)
  • Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
  • Pharmacy (PharmD)
  • Physical Therapy (DPT)
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
  • Public Health (MPH)
  • Veterinary Medicine (VDM)

Note:

  • If you have not formally declared your major, please work with your primary advisor in University College.  Please discuss your pre-health intentions during your meeting with them.
  • If you are a declared major on campus, please work with the pre-health success coaches within the College of Health and Human Services

There are no specific pre-health majors (i.e. pre-med, pre-dent, pre-vet, etc.) at UNC Wilmington or any other undergraduate school. In addition, pre-health students are not required to major in science. While many students pursue majors in the natural sciences, they do so because of their interest in those fields rather than strictly to prepare for medical or graduate school. Students can major in literally anything and still satisfy the prerequisite courses necessary for admission into medical or graduate schools of health.

Designated pre-health success team members in both units can assist you in locating information to be a competitive applicant, including the following:

  • Major Program Sheets
  • University Studies Requirements
  • Undergraduate Catalogue
  • Career Services and Campus Resources
  • Professional School Planning and Mapping
  • Building a Professional Portfolio
  • Post Baccalaureate Programs
  • Summer Enrichment Programs
  • Professional Organizations
  • School Associations

Next Steps

Coming Soon

  • Access the pre-health Canvas toolkit 

Additional Information

Like all undergraduate students, you will also need to complete your University Studies requirements, the required courses for your majors, and elective hours to total the 120 hours needed to graduate from UNCW.

Since almost all health professions programs are now at least a masters level academically (most are clinical doctorates), you will be likely spending four years here before going on to professional school. Some schools, like the medical, dental, and physical therapy schools, expect you to graduate from college before attending. Other programs, like pharmacy, may allow you to apply in your sophomore year and then move to their programs for another four years, leading to a doctoral degree, if accepted.

For these reasons, it is imperative that you learn all you can about the specific professional schools of health to which you think you will eventually apply and take the appropriate courses at the right time. Designated pre-health success team members will be immensely helpful so that you are able to discuss all course choices with your assigned academic advisors to ensure a successful progression toward your pre-health pathway.

Questions? Email prehealth@uncw.edu.