Pre-health advising overview

Open to students in any major, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s Pre-Allied Health Advising pathway supports students preparing for graduate/professional study in physician assistant (PA), physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and related health professions. As one of the fastest-growing areas in healthcare, these careers require strong academic preparation, meaningful clinical experiences, and a clear understanding of the profession. 

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s Pre-Health Advisor and faculty mentors will guide you every step of the way. Many ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø students begin on the Pre-Medical Studies pathway and later find their goals align more closely with an allied health profession. Our advising system is designed to support this exploration and ensure a smooth transition if your focus shifts.

Admission options

Close up shot of test tubes

Academic preparation

You’ll work closely with your program advisor to develop a highly personalized plan of study that will help you complete the prerequisites necessary for admission into allied health programs. While specific requirements vary by program, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø students typically complete coursework in the following areas:

  • Biological sciences (including human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology)
  • Chemistry (general and organic)
  • Physics
  • Mathematics and statistics
  • Psychology and social sciences (introductory psychology, human development, abnormal psychology, sociology)
  • English and communication (with emphasis on writing and critical thinking)

Students in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's pre-allied health advising program also benefit from a specific curriculum designed for a seamless transition to The Jefferson College of Health Professions.

View the Thomas Jefferson University transfer curriculum

What professional schools look for

Admissions committees for PA, PT, and OT programs want to see evidence of both academic strength and hands-on commitment to the field. A strong foundation in the sciences and behavioral sciences, along with communication and quantitative skills, may be required. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s Pre-Health Advisor and faculty mentors help you choose the allied health profession that fits your goals, plan the right coursework, gain clinical experiences, and prepare for graduate school applications and exams — providing both structure and flexibility as your path takes shape.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø helps you prepare through:

  • Strong academics: Most successful applicants present an overall GPA of 3.4+ and a science GPA of 3.2–3.5 or higher.
  • Clinical experience: Programs expect direct patient care exposure through shadowing, volunteering, or paid healthcare roles.
  • Leadership and service: Campus and community involvement highlights your teamwork and communication skills.
  • Professional conduct: Graduate programs ask about both academic and non-academic conduct; maintaining the highest ethical standards is essential.

Real-world experience

At ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø, you’ll gain early exposure to the health care field. Our emphasis on early laboratory and fieldwork experiences helps to ensure you’ll meet certain requirements for admission into medical programs. Benefit from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s intensive internship courses with our partnering health organizations including the Capital Health Systems, collaborate with faculty on paid research opportunities and take advantage of external internship opportunities.

Internships, Research and Independent Study

Financial aid resources

Learn more about financial aid, tuition and the various options we offer to make your college education affordable.

Learn More

Next steps

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Contact

Paul Jivoff

Professor, Department Chair

Department of Biology and Behavioral Neuroscience

Mike and Patti Hennessy Science and Technology Center

pjivoff [at] rider.edu

609-895-5421

Academic Focus: Biology

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