Preprofessional Health Science Degrees Offered Cal State L.A. graduates are regularly admitted to the public and private health professional schools in California. At Cal State L.A., the preprofessional curriculum is similar for most professional schools in the health sciences. Each requires a solid foundation in math and science and in communication skills. Cal State L.A. Students enter the health professions with any academic major, although the majority of applicants are from the biological sciences because of the close relationship between the two areas and the ease of completing the preprofessional requirements within the framework of the biology or biochemistry major.
Some students elect to prepare for a health career after completing a degree in a nonscience field.
Required courses for most health-related professional schools include at least one year each of biology and physics, two years of chemistry, and calculus. Specific course information appears on the reverse side of this sheet. In recent years, professional schools indicate a preference for students who have good communication skills and a well-rounded education. In addition to the requisite science courses, students should develop a broad background in the social sciences and the humanities and should become involved in nonacademic activities that show concern for people and that develop leadership qualities. Often a health career is the appropriate choice for reentry women or for men and women seeking second careers.