Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals

This post-baccalaureate credit certificate program provides an opportunity for pre-health career students to strengthen their academic background prior to application for admission to a health professional school. The program is designed to make postbaccalaureate students more competitive for admission through a combination of coursework, standardized test preparation, and health science activities. A student may not apply to the CSULA Master of Science Degree Program in Biology prior to the completion of the certificate program.

Students may begin the certificate program only during the Fall Quarter of an academic year. Completed applications must be received by the Department no later than August 15.

The certificate program requires completion of a minimum of 24 units taken in postbaccalaureate standing. A maximum of 6 units of previously completed postbaccalaureate coursework from another institution may be used toward completion of the certificate program. Refer to the Graduate Study chapter of the University catalog for general information governing all certificate programs.

Requirements for Admission to the Program

Acceptance by the University to postbaccalaureate status.
Completion of a certificate program application form and acceptance by the selection committee. A limited number of students will be accepted into the program each academic year.
An undergraduate degree in a biological science from an accredited college or university, or an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and completion of pre-health professional required science courses with lab (two years of biology, two years of chemistry, one year of math, one year of physics).
Minimum 3.0 grade point average in all biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses.
Establishment of a student file in the Cal State LA Health Careers Advisement Office, King Hall D1044.
Completion of BIOL 340 (General Genetics) and BIOL 380 (Cell Biology), or their equivalent.

Requirements for the Certificate

A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required in all course work.
Completion of a minimum of 24 units from the following list of courses.

BIOL 416 - Molecular Genetics (4)
BIOL 417 - Gene Manipulation (4)
BIOL 424 - General Embryology (4)
BIOL 429 - Animal Histology (5)
BIOL 433 - Animal Physiology I (4)
BIOL 434 - Animal Physiology II (4)
BIOL 435 - Neurobiology: Neuroanatomy (4)
BIOL 436 - Neurobiology: Neurophysiology (4)
BIOL 454L - Special Topics in Biology (1–4)
BIOL 454P - Special Topics in Biology (1–4)
MICR 401 - General Virology (4)
MICR 410 - Hematology (4)
MICR 430 - Bacterial Physiology (3)
MICR 433 - Bacterial Physiology Laboratory (2)
CHEM 431A - Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 431B - Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 431C - Biochemistry (3)
Completion of one or more of the following courses is strongly recommended to enhance a professional school application.
ANTH 444 - Medical Anthropology (4)
BIOL 300 - Biometrics (4)
ENGL 308 - Expository Writing (4)
PHIL 429 - Bioethics (4)
SOC 425 - Medical Sociology (4)
Participation in the Cal State LA MCAT Review Course.

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Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals

Requirements for Admission to the Program

Requirements for the Certificate