It is our goal to help provide students with a clear understanding of the requirements and expectations of what it means to be a competitive applicant for the professional healthcare program of their choice.
The University of Missouri – St. Louis does not offer a degree in Pre-Health Studies. Students wishing to enter professional healthcare schools should pursue B.A. or B.S. degrees in the major(s) of their choice, while taking the courses necessary for admission to a professional healthcare school. Any of UMSL's 50+ undergraduate degrees can be considered on the pre-health track with a little planning.
Due to varying requirements for professional healthcare schools, students are encouraged to meet regularly with their faculty advisor and consult catalogs of the schools to which they intend to apply. It is also recommended that students consult official school guides published by national professional school associations, such as the MSAR.
Students interested in Nursing should contact the College of Nursing.
The Dr. Marcus Allen Advising Center, 303 Lucas Hall
Phone314-516-5501
EmailMajor
While UMSL does not offer a pre-chiropractor degree, we do offer a wide variety of degrees that can help you prepare for a Chiropractor program. Any bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, will help you prepare for that next step.
Common classes are listed on the pre-chiropractor summary sheet.
UMSL offers a 3+3 program through Logan University (Sample Plan). Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours before being eligible for admission into Logan’s Doctor of Chiropractor program. The student will complete 3.5 years at Logan all together to graduate with their Doctorate. Courses from the 1st year of the DC program will be transferred back in order to help them complete their Bachelor’s.
GPA
Most chiropractor schools require a minimum GPA of 3.0. Some schools calculate a separate BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math (Science) GPA in addition to your other coursework.
Keep in mind that the goal is to be a competitive applicant. Your GPA should reflect that.
Major
While UMSL does not offer a Pre-Dental degree, any major is appropriate for dental school. Academic preparation for dental school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, which vary from school to school.
Common classes are listed on the pre-dental summary sheet.
GPA
While the goal is to be a competitive applicant, having a 4.0 is not required for dental school admission. However, you want to make sure you have maintained a high gpa that makes you a standout applicant. More information can be found on the predental summary sheet.
The gpa calculations vary for the different dental schools. Keep in mind that most schools will calculate your overall gpa and your science gpa:
BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math (Science) GPA
Overall= (Non-Science) GPA
Your overall gpa are all classes completed at the college level. All attempts are included in the GPA calculation, even if you withdrew (W, EX, or EXF) or received a better grade. Transcripts have to be submitted from every institution attended to each application service.
Science GPA
The Science gpa consists of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math classes. Sometimes other classes can be included in the science gpa.
What should I major in?
UMSL does not offer a degree in Pre-Health Studies or Pre-Med Studies. Any major is appropriate for medical school. Academic preparation for medical school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, which vary from school to school.
Common classes are listed on the pre-med summary sheet. Competitive applicants have very high grades so pace yourself in order to succeed and remember that all grades apply (even if you repeat classes).
What should my GPA be?
While the goal is to be a competitive applicant, having a 4.0 is not required for medical school admission. Keep in mind that most medical school admissions committees can easily identify when an applicant is not prepared academically based off the courses they select. You will benefit more from taking the rigorous courses together to prepare yourself for medical school.
The gpa calculations very for the different medical schools. The different types of medical schools are listed on the pre-med info summary sheet (TMDSAS, AMCAS, and AACOMAS). You have your overall gpa and then there is the science gpa:
BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math (Science) GPA, AO = All Other (Non-Science) GPA
Your total/overall gpa are all classes completed at the college level. This includes all courses taken at the UMSL and courses taken at other universities and community colleges. Additionally, all attempts are included in the GPA calculation, even if you withdrew (W, EX, or EXF) or received a better grade. Transcripts have to be submitted from every institution attended to each application service.
Science GPA
The Science gpa consists of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math classes. For medical school, classes completed in Engineering, Computer Science and other STEM fields are excluded from the BCPM GPA. In some cases, non-sciences classes can still be factored into. You will have to check the official school guide to get more information about their admission requirements.
Partner Programs
Learn more about the UMSL/University of Missouri – Kansas City MD Scholars Program Medical Scholars Program
Learn more about the UMSL/University of Missouri – Kansas City MSA Scholars Program Master of Science in Anesthesia
Major
While UMSL does not offer a pre-occupational therapy degree, we do offer a wide variety of degrees that can help you prepare for an Occupational Therapy (OT) program. Any bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, will help you prepare for that next step.
Common classes are listed on the pre-occupational therapy summary sheet.
GPA
The GPA calculations for OT school are broken into several categories based off your transcript(s). More information can be found on the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) website.
The link above will take you to a list of OT schools. Each school will have the GPA calculation outline and requirements for their program on their website.
Keep in mind that the goal is to be a competitive applicant. Your GPA should reflect that.
Major
UMSL offers a 3+4 program through our very own College of Optometry. Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours before being eligible for admission into Optometry Program. Students complete their first three years taking pre-requisites for optometry and satisfying requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Biology. Upon completion of year three of prerequisites, students are guaranteed an interview with the College of Optometry. OAT exam results must be on file before an interview is granted. If accepted, courses from the 1st year of the OPT program will be credited back in order to help students complete the bachelor’s in science biology degree. Students should apply to the 3+4 program in the Fall of their freshman year.
GPA
Students are required to maintain a 3.2 GPA and receive a grade of “B” in all required classes. All additional science courses must be at least a “C.”
Keep in mind that the goal is to be a competitive applicant. Your GPA should reflect that.
Optometry Admission Exam (OAT)
Students are required to have an overall score of 330 and no scores lower than a 290 in any section.
Official Admission to College of Optometry
Students should apply to the College of Optometry through OptomCAS.
Major
While UMSL does not offer a Pre-Pharmacy degree, any major is appropriate for pharmacy school. Academic preparation for pharmacy school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, which vary from school to school.
Common classes are listed on the pre-pharmacy summary sheet.
GPA
While the goal is to be a competitive applicant, having a 4.0 is not required for pharmacy school admission. The average GPA of students admitted to pharmacy school programs are a 3.5 or higher.
The GPA calculations vary for the different pharmacy schools. You have your overall gpa and then there is the science/pre-requisite GPA:
BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math GPA and other social/behavior Science courses (Sociology, Economics, Psychology, and others depending on the institution.)
Overall = (Non-Science courses) GPA
Your overall GPA are all classes completed at the college level. This includes all courses taken at the UMSL and courses taken at other universities and community colleges. Additionally, all attempts are included in the GPA calculation, even if you withdrew (W, EX, or EXF) or received a better grade. Transcripts have to be submitted from every institution attended to each application service.
Major
While UMSL does not offer a pre-physical therapy degree, we do offer a wide variety of degrees that can help you prepare for a Physical Therapy (PT) program. Any bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, will help you prepare for that next step.
Common classes are listed on the pre-physical therapy summary sheet.
GPA
The GPA calculations for PT school are broken into several categories based off your transcript(s). More information can be found on the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) website.
The link above will take you to a list of PT schools. Each school will have the GPA calculation outline and requirements for their program.
Keep in mind that the goal is to be a competitive applicant. Your GPA should reflect that.
Major
While UMSL does not offer a Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) degree, any major is appropriate to prepare for a physician assistant program. Academic preparation for PA school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, which vary from school to school.
Common classes are listed on the pre-physician assistant (PA) summary sheet.
GPA
The GPA calculations for PA school are broken down into several types based on your transcript(s). More information can be found on The Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) website:
CASPA stress that they calculate several gpa types:
You must utilize the link provided above to calculate and determine where you stand. Each school will have its set of GPA calculations.
Partner Program
Learn more about the UMSL/University of Missouri – Kansas City PA Scholars Program Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant
Major
While UMSL does not offer a Pre-Podiatry degree, any major is appropriate for podiatry school. Academic preparation for podiatry school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, which vary from school to school.
Common classes are listed on the pre-podiatry summary sheet.
GPA
While the goal is to be a competitive applicant, having a 4.0 is not required for podiatry school admission. The average GPA of students admitted to podiatry school programs are a 3.3 or higher. It’s important to maintain a competitive GPA.
The GPA calculations vary for the different podiatry schools. You have your overall GPA and then there is the science GPA:
BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math GPA
Overall = (Non-Science courses) GPA
Your overall gpa are all classes completed at the college level. This includes all courses taken at the UMSL and courses taken at other universities and community colleges. Additionally, all attempts are included in the GPA calculation, even if you withdrew (W, EX, or EXF) or received a better grade.
Science GPA
The Science GPA consists of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math classes. Other courses could be factored into this GPA as well.
Major
While UMSL does not offer a Pre-Veterinary degree, any major is appropriate for veterinary school. Academic preparation for veterinary school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of a set of prerequisite classes, usually science, which vary from school to school.
Common classes are listed on the pre-veterinary summary sheet.
GPA
While the goal is to be a competitive applicant, having a 4.0 is not required for veterinary school admission. However, you want to make sure you have maintained a high gpa that makes you a standout applicant. More information can be found on the veterinary summary sheet.
The gpa calculations vary for the different veterinary schools. Keep in mind that most schools will calculate your overall gpa and your science gpa:
BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math (Science) GPA
Overall= (Non-Science) GPA
Your overall gpa are all classes completed at the college level. All attempts are included in the GPA calculation, even if you withdrew (W, EX, or EXF) or received a better grade. Transcripts have to be submitted from every institution attended to each application service.
Science GPA
The Science gpa consists of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math classes. Sometimes other classes can be included in the science gpa.
