Undeclared - Pre-Health Professional Option
Readying for Success
University of the Sciences’ professional programs prepare students to succeed in some of the country’s fastest-growing fields. Our pre-health professional option—for students with an interest in health porofessions such as occupational therapy, pharmacy or physical therapy—gives you terrific preparation for advancement into a professional degree program, if that is your ultimate career goal.
The health professional programs offered at University of the Sciences include:
- Master’s in Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
Careers
Physical and occupational therapists and pharmacists are enjoying more influence in the health-care field than ever before. These career fields are expected to grow considerably over the next several years.
Occupational Therapy
Employment opportunities in occupational therapy are projected to rise as rapid growth in the number of middle-aged and elderly individuals increases the demand for therapeutic services. The increased recognition of developmental and learning disabilities in children also will increase the demand for occupational therapists. You may help patients with diagnoses such as:
- Stroke
- Arthritis
- Cerebral palsy
- Learning disabilities
- Hand injuries
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
As an occupational therapist, you may work in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Homes
- Mental health clinics
- Rehabilitation centers
- Outpatient clinics
- Private practices
Physical Therapy
Your prospects as a physical therapist are virtually limitless. As the life expectancy for Americans lengthens, the need for physical therapists to care for them will increase. Career options include:
- Working in patient care to help people manage disabilities and regain the skills necessary to live independently
- Promoting health and the quality of life through community education
- Analyzing work environments and recommending ergonomic changes to reduce injuries
- Screening older adults for potential risk of injury
- Working with athletes on high school, college or professional teams
- Developing new techniques for patient care
- Participating in clinical research
Such versatility extends to practice sites, which include:
- Large medical systems with acute-care and specialty clinics
- Inpatient and subacute rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities
- Community hospitals and clinics
- Ambulatory care/outpatient physical therapy offices
- School/preschool programs, educational settings and research centers
- Home health care
- Sports medicine clinics and fitness facilities
- One's own practice
Pharmacy
The profession of pharmacy awards you with a vast array of areas in which you can practice:
- In community, hospital and clinical pharmacy practice, you can work directly with patients and with other health professionals to select appropriate drug therapies for patients, evaluate the success of those therapies, and ensure that patients understand their medications.
- You will have the opportunity to work in more nontraditional settings, such as managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies and many more.
Curriculum
In your two years of the pre-health professional program, you’ll fulfill the program requirements necessary for entry into the professional phase of the University’s Master’s in Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Pharmacy, degree programs. In the spring of your second year, you may apply for admission, via the change of major process, into the professional phase of the program of your choosing.
Note: Admission to University of the Sciences' professional programs is competitive and is based on each student's academic record and the space available in the program he or she is interested in. Applying to these programs is not a guarantee of admission, but a chance for students to demonstrate their ability in the University's rigorous academic environment and their readiness to move forward to the next phase of their education.
First Year
Introductory Biology I, II
General Chemistry I, II
General Chemistry Laboratory I, II
Mathematical Analysis I, II
Physical Education I, II
Undeclared Orientation I, II
Writing and Rhetoric I, II