There is no "right" major to pursue as an undergraduate. Students should select a major that they are passionate about and will excel in. Professional schools in the health sciences expect all students, whether philosophy, biology or business majors, to do well in their chosen undergraduate programs and to demonstrate increasingly challenging curriculum loads in their field of study. All candidates, regardless of major, must demonstrate strong and consistent performance in coursework, especially in the core science prerequisites.
At LMU, the overwhelming majority of pre-health students select a major in the sciences. This may be because they have a natural curiosity about these disciplines and because much of the coursework required for these majors also fulfills the prerequisites for admission to health professional school. However, LMU routinely has pre-health students majoring in non-science disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, English, Spanish, business, and education.
Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor early on to help with course scheduling and learn information about resources that are available on campus. Pre-health students should also meet with the Director of Health Professions Advising to go over the standard pre-requisites and extracurricular activities needed for health professional school. In addition, it is important for students to research prerequisites for specific health professional schools as requirements for admission may vary by institution.
-
Check out the list of Seaver College Majors. Current students may wish to contact their faculty advisor for advice prior to switching majors or adding a minor.
-
Here's the list of LMU Majors (not just Seaver College) to explore. Remember that you can be any major and still apply to health professional school, you just need to successfully complete the pre-requisites and extracurriculars. It's important for students, especially those majoring outside of the Seaver College, to be in regular communication with the Director of Health Professions Advising to make sure they are on track to apply to health professional school in their chosen area of study.
-
Accepted Coursework
LMU understands that the future healthcare professional needs to have a strong scientific foundation, demonstrated passion for their career choice and personal competencies to become excellent healthcare practitioners. Many schools now have competency-based areas versus specific pre-health course requirements. Always consult the website and/or admissions office of the particular health professional school you are interested in applying to for updated information.
AP / IB / CLEP / Online Course Work
A number of health professional schools do not accept AP credit for prerequisite course work. Some will accept AP credits if additional high-level coursework is taken. Please consult the website and/or admissions office of the particular school you are interested in attending for a list of acceptable coursework.
Typical prerequisite coursework for medical school:
- General Chemistry (lecture and lab) 1 year
- Organic Chemistry (lecture and lab) 1 year
- General Biology (lecture and lab) 1 year
- General Physics (lecture and lab) 1 year
- Biochemistry (lecture) 1 semester
- English (1 year)
- Calculus (1 semester)
- Statistics (1 semester)
- Upper division biology/chemistry courses recommended by some schools
- Intro to Psychology recommended (1 semester)
- Principles of Sociology recommended (1 semester)
LMU Courses
- General Biology 101 & 111 lab
- General Biology 102 & 112 lab
- General Chemistry 110 & 111 lab
- General Chemistry 112 & 113 lab
- Physics 2500
- Physics 2550
- Calculus Math 122* will depend on your math placement
- Statistics-Math 205* recommended
- Organic Chemistry 220 and lab 221
- Organic Chemistry 222 and lab 223
- Biochemistry 370
- Psychology 1000
- Sociology 1000
English: First Year Seminar and Rhetorical Arts are usually accepted by health professional schools. Please consult the specific schools you would like to apply to for confirmation.
*Note some courses are sequential and only offered once a year. Please meet with your LMU faculty advisor early on to plan your class schedule.
*Note other courses may substitute for this requirement depending on your major.
There is no one path to medical school. Course work will vary for each student. Some students may choose to complete some premedical course work during summer sessions; others complete their premedical course work after graduating from LMU. For example, career changer post baccalaureate programs allow students to complete their prerequisites after receiving their bachelor's degree. Read more about the LMU's Premedical Post Baccalaureate Program. There's also a national database that includes all post-bac programs in the United States, including academic enhancer programs, which is compiled by the AAMC.
MCAT
The MCAT emphasizes students have a strong foundation in the following:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
We recommend students planning to take the MCAT enroll in General Psychology, Statistics and Sociology.
-
- Academic Resource Center
- Campus Ministry
- Seaver College Center for Student Success
- Career and Professional Development
- Course Tutoring
- Disability Support Services
- Ethnic and Intercultural Services
- Financial Aid Office
- Office for International Students and Scholars
- Public Safety
- Student Health Services
- Student Psychological Services
-
There are multiple clubs on LMU's campus designed to expose pre-health students to opportunities for activities in the community, network with others who share similar interests and expand social and academic networks. Below are some clubs that have been active in recent years. Please refer to the Registered Student Organizations site for the most up-to-date club information.
Alpha Epsilon Delta
Alpha Epsilon Delta is "dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of excellence in pre-professional health scholarship, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and others". Our goal is to aid our members with the proper knowledge and tools to become the best future professional they can be. To do so, we present a breakdown of the application process for all pre-health tracks and host informative panels of available research opportunities, clinical exposure programs, service projects, and other outlets that will help our members find success in their respective fields. Most importantly, AED functions as a positive environment for our members to collaborate and share in their passion for the healthcare profession.
Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta)
Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) is the National Biological Honor Society for students, undergraduates in particular, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological studies, of all fields, and expanding the boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. We explore different fields of science (i.e. pre-med, pre-dent, marine biology, etc.), participate in LMUCLA Connection, host professor (and other guest speaker) seminars for students to attend, volunteer (i.e. at Sunrise Geriatric Facility, Playa Vista Elementary School, etc.), host the annual Chili cook-off on Darwin Day, tour the Aquarium of the Pacific behind-the-scenes, and have other awesome activities! Tri-Beta is a great place to get to know others interested in biology and live in the bio culture that we cultivate!
Lions for Venice Family Clinic (VFC)
Lions for Venice Family Clinic is a student run organization that creates opportunities for pre-health students to learn and give back to the community through volunteering at a local free clinic in Venice, California. As members of Lions for VFC, we strive to understand and participate in the fullness of the free clinic system that Venice Family Clinic provides. In the clinic, members volunteer as clinical assistants, helping patients have a comfortable and timely visit with their medical provider. Additionally, members participate in bi-weekly meetings which include discussion forums. These discussion forums serve as a way for students to think about healthcare issues and reflect on their volunteer experience.
Lions for Medicine
Mission: To provide resources for pre-medical students to improve in their fields of study and prepare for medical school through attending talks given by medical students, medical school admissions directors, alumni, and professionals in the field. Resources for test preparation strategies and volunteering opportunities will also be provided. Students will become more familiar with the medical school application process, its curriculum and the overall experience. We hope to build an ever more vibrant pre-medical community here at LMU--encouraging the expansion of our medical dialogue and enrichment of our students--while serving to improve the health of all those living in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS)
The mission of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students is to unite pre-health students from diverse backgrounds to educate, empower, and explore opportunities for students to be competitive healthcare professional applicants. We strive to address issues of healthcare disparities through service and cultural competency. We work in partnership with our affiliated parent chapter, UCLA/Drew School of Medicine SNMA Chapter, in providing comprehensive student support through academic advisement, mentorship, personal development workshops, and volunteer opportunities.
Operation Smile
Operation Smile is a global nonprofit charity organization that sends doctors, dentists, and surgeon volunteers abroad to help with children's cleft lip and palate surgeries. This is one of the world's most common birth defects, but many families do not have the resources to afford a safe and thorough surgery. LMU's chapter of Operation Smile fund raises to support these procedures, raises awareness of the cause, and has multiple service and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Although anyone is welcome to join, many of our members are pre-dental or pre-health as they are interested in helping children overcome this defect and spread healthcare across the world.
Pre-Dental Society
LMU Pre-Dental Society allows prospective dental students to learn more about the field of dentistry through means of providing a supportive and informational environment as they embark on their journey through the application process. It will also provide a means of completing community service, providing important networking possibilities, and educating our members with current issues in the dental field far beyond LMU.
Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental Post Baccalaureate Club
The mission of this club is to foster a sense of community in the pre-medicine and pre-dental post-baccalaureate students. These students are career changers who represent a unique population at LMU with common goals and shared challenges. The purpose is to aid students socially, academically, professionally, and emotionally to become health professionals. Objectives: The objective is to discuss volunteer, internship, research, and clinical experience opportunities to become more competitive applicants to medical or dental school.
Pre-Physician Assistant Club
At LMU's Pre-Physician Assistant club, members learn about the PA profession, upcoming medical events and speakers, and ways to find experience opportunities in Los Angeles and beyond.