Premedical Professions Advising Program

Premedical Professions

The premedical professions include medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine, and chiropractic. Students who choose a path that will lead to a postgraduate medical program must be highly motivated and academically outstanding. Successful admission to medical school or the other professional schools requires applicants to do well in the courses associated with their major and in a specific set of courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

The Program

A special program is available to assist students in achieving their professional goals by offering a structured advising program that will provide the solid foundation needed for further study in the medical professions. Enrollment in the Premedical Professions Advising program is strongly recommended because it will optimize the chances of successful entrance into a professional school. Students can enter this program in two ways: either by demonstrating outstanding academic performance in secondary school or through outstanding performance in the first semester at the University of Hartford. The advising program begins in the second semester of the first year of study. Students interested in the premedical professions should contact a member of the Premedical Professions Advisory Committee as early as possible for advice in planning their academic program. The requirements of the Premedical Professions Advising program are as follows:

Maintain an overall and science GPA of 3.0 with no grade below a C in required courses.
Complete the three premedical professions courses: PPS 100 , PPS 200 , and PPS 300 . The requirements for PPS 100 are a minimum GPA of 2.5 or permission of the instructor. The requirements for PPS 200 and PPS 300 are a minimum GPA of 3.0 or permission of the instructor.
Complete an approved internship experience.
Successfully complete an interview with the Premedical Professions Advisory Committee.

Overall, the advising program is beneficial because it provides the following:

Mentoring
Assistance finding an internship experience
Assistance with professional speaking, test taking, and writing skills
Building a portfolio
Interviewing skills
Academic support
Admission test information and assessment
Guidance through the admission process
A recommendation letter from the Premedical Professions Advisory Committee

Committee Members

Eric Mahan (Chair), Associate Professor of Chemistry (Medicine)
Joanna Borucinska, Professor of Biology (Veterinary Medicine)
Gerard Buffo, M.D., Assistant Professor of Radiology Technology
Caryn Christensen, Associate Professor of Psychology
Guy C. Colarulli, Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies (ex officio)
Douglas Dix, Professor of Biology and Clinical Laboratory Science
Jane Horvath, Associate Professor of Economics
John Leard, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Michael Nowak, Associate Professor of Engineering
Claudia Oakes, Assistant Professor of Health Science (Optometry, Chiropractic,Podiatry, and Osteopathic Medicine)
James Shattuck, Associate Professor of Chemistry (Dentistry)
Manfred Striefler, Associate Professor of Physics and Computer Science
Harry Workman, Professor of Chemistry (Medicine)

Foundation Courses

The following science courses represent a minimum set of foundation courses and are the basic prerequisites of most medical professional programs. These courses should be completed with a grade of B– or better:

The following courses are valuable because they provide additional support for the application to professional school and basic information useful in taking entrance exams:

Additional upper-level science/health science courses may be appropriate.

At least one course in calculus (two may be required by some professional schools) is required. A course in statistics is also recommended.

It is important to select a major that is of interest and enhances the chances of success, and at the same time provides satisfactory career alternatives. The basic requirements and the overall goals may be satisfied within a number of different B.A. and B.S. degrees described in this Bulletin. For additional information about specific degree programs that may be used in conjunction with the Premedical Professions Advising program, please see the index to locate information on the following majors: biology, chemistry/biology, biomedical engineering, health science, psychology, English, and others.

Professional Articulations

Combined bachelor’s/doctoral programs at the University of Hartford, in association with several collegiate health professional institutions, provide a rare opportunity for students with career goals in the areas of optometry, chiropractic, podiatry, or osteopathy. The programs allow for the completion of the bachelor’s degree and a doctorate within a seven-year (or less) period. Initial study at the University of Hartford allows the student to complete the general education liberal arts requirements, the basic requirements for the major, and the prerequisite requirements for professional study. Typically, four years at an affiliated institution prepares the graduate for a career in the chosen medical professional field. Professional curricula include both basic science and clinical practice and lead to a doctoral degree, which is a prerequisite for licensure in the United States. The combined programs allow University of Hartford students to complete the fourth-year requirements of the baccalaureate degree during the first year of study at the affiliated professional institution.

The University of Hartford has affiliations with the following collegiate medical professional institutions: New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA.; New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls, N.Y.; New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, N.Y.; Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD.; University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, ME; and Saint Joseph’s University, West Hartford, CT. The University also has articulations with the Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica, and the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts. Under these agreements, students complete four years of study and obtain their bachelor’s degree at the University of Hartford before matriculating for either M.D. or D.V.M. degrees.

Admission Requirements

The combined programs are for the academically outstanding student with a strong realistic motivation toward the medical professions. Applicants must excel academically and may be interviewed by representatives from both institutions. Students admitted to the program are expected to maintain a minimum overall grade point and science average of 3.25 for New York Chiropractic College, Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy, and Ross University (3.0 in prerequisite courses); 3.4 for New England College of Optometry; and 3.0 for New York College of Podiatric Medicine, and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine during matriculation at the University of Hartford, with a minimum grade of C in all required courses.

Final admission to the affiliated medical professional institution is contingent on successful completion of program course work, satisfactory admission test scores (OAT, PCAT or MCAT), the recommendation of the University of Hartford’s Premedical Professions Advisory Committee, and completion of a satisfactory interview with admissions officials at the medical professional institution.

Requirements for the Major

Prior to attending the affiliated professional medical institution, students are required to complete all of the general education requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree for their major and the basic, prerequisite science/math requirements.

Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Professions Certificate Program

Students who have already completed a baccalaureate degree in a non-science major and who decide to pursue a career in a medical profession must return to school to complete the premedical science/math prerequisites. The University of Hartford has established a Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Professions program with these individuals in mind. This program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, veterinary, chiropractic, pharmacy, or podiatry. The specific program of study will be individualized to meet the student’s needs based on previous academic experience and professional goals. Students who complete at least 30 credits of undergraduate science/math course work at the University of Hartford and obtain a 3.0 or better GPA with no grade below a B– will be awarded a Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Professions Certificate and will be eligible for an interview and letter of evaluation for application to medical professional school from the Premedical Professions Advisory Committee. Students who complete at least 16 credits (four 4-credit lab science courses) and obtain a 3.0 or better GPA with no grade below a B– will be eligible for an interview and letter of evaluation.

Science/math prerequisites for medical professions programs vary with each school, but in general, all premedical professions students must complete the basic science and math courses outlined above. Additional upper-level science courses, as outlined above, may also be beneficial for post-baccalaureate students.

Premedical Professions Advising Courses: PPS 100 , PPS 200 , PPS 300 (1 credit each)*

The above courses are designed to aid premedical professions students in achieving their goals by assisting and guiding them.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Applicants to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Professions Certificate program must already hold a baccalaureate degree and have achieved a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. An application to the program may be obtained from the Office of Graduate and Adult Academic Services, and the completed application should be submitted to this office along with official undergraduate transcripts. The Premedical Professions Advisory Committee reviews all applications for admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Professions Certificate program.

*Post-baccalaureate students are not required to take these courses but may do so if they desire.

Courses

Premedical Professions Advising Program