Pre-Health FAQ

To apply, you need a B.A., B.S. or B.F.A. from a regionally accredited college or University. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, either overall or in your last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of coursework.

Admission is competitive. Because space is limited, you may need a GPA above the minimum to receive an offer.

To apply, you need an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher, either overall or in your last 60 semester or 90 quarter units. Admission is competitive, and most admitted students have GPAs above the minimum.

If your GPA is lower, you can strengthen your application by showing clear improvement in recent coursework, especially during your most recent year.

To apply, complete the Cal State Apply application. You will answer essay questions, upload unofficial transcripts, request two letters of reference from instructors or supervisors and list your professional or extracurricular experiences.

You also need to complete a Coursework Spreadsheet using our web form. Include all college-level courses. This helps speed up your application review. Missing coursework or not following directions may delay your application or lead to denial.

You do not need to submit standardized test scores.

If you have taken a graduate-level exam such as the MCAT, DAT or GRE, you can include your scores in your application. Upload your score report in the Documents section of the Program Materials area.

If you are a career changer and need to take or retake General Chemistry I, you should apply for summer entry.

If you have completed some prerequisites, such as General Chemistry I and calculus or statistics, review the career changer curriculum and email our admissions team at pbadmit@sfsu.edu. Include the courses you have completed to get guidance on the best term to start.

If you are an academic enhancer, you can apply for any semester.

You need two letters of recommendation. If you are a recent graduate or current student, try to include at least one letter from a college instructor. You can also request letters from employers or supervisors.

Do not submit letters from family members, friends or personal acquaintances.

Yes. Our admissions coordinators can answer your questions about admissions, program benefits, costs and more.

Email us at pbadmit@sfsu.edu to request a phone or video appointment.

Yes. You can apply if you have completed a bachelor’s degree.

You need to have your transcripts evaluated and translated by a third-party service such as World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). These evaluations confirm that your coursework meets U.S. standards.

Please note that the program does not sponsor student visas. You must have another way to live in the U.S., such as permanent residency or a valid work visa. Federal student loans are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Career Changer Track (CCT) applicants usually have little or no college-level science coursework. Academic Enhancer Track (AET) applicants often have a science background and want to strengthen their academic record before applying or reapplying to health professional schools.

You may also fall somewhere in between if you have completed some prerequisites but still need additional courses.

You do not need to decide your track before you apply. If you are admitted, you will work with an advisor to create a plan that fits your goals.

Yes. We have a memorandum of understanding with Touro University California’s medical, physician assistant and pharmacy programs.

This partnership offers a guaranteed interview with Touro for up to 10 pre-medical, 5 pre-physician assistant and 10 pre-pharmacy students who meet Touro’s mission, values and requirements.

We also partner with Samuel Merritt University. As an SFSU Pre-Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate student, you may be eligible for direct entry, a guaranteed interview or priority consideration for select graduate health programs.

You are assigned an advisor before the program begins. In your first meeting, you will create a personalized academic plan with a semester-by-semester course schedule and a timeline for standardized exams and health professional school applications.

You are encouraged to meet with your advisor throughout the program. Support continues during the application process, including guidance on applications and interview preparation.

You also have access to a learning specialist for academic support and a therapist who offers confidential counseling to support your well-being.

Yes. If you complete the certificate, you can receive a Committee Letter. Your advisors write this letter with input from faculty and staff. It highlights your performance and experience in the program and serves as one of your letters of recommendation for health professional school applications.

You may also request individual letters of recommendation from faculty.

Yes. We offer an MCAT colloquium in the spring semester. You will learn effective study strategies, test-taking techniques and how to approach practice passages. The course also helps you avoid common MCAT study mistakes.

You may also receive a discount on Blueprint Test Prep courses and products through our partnership.

Yes. Once you enroll, you are added to a Google Group listserv. You will see posts from students, alumni and local organizations that share job, research, volunteer and clinical opportunities.

You are responsible for applying to these opportunities.

Classes are reserved for post-bac students, so you learn with peers who share similar goals. Small class sizes, typically 10 to 35 students, support a collaborative environment and a strong sense of community.

You also benefit from guaranteed enrollment, so you do not need to worry about waitlists.

Many students work part time while in the program. Because the science courses are rigorous, we recommend that you limit your work schedule to part time.

Yes. While most students take 9 or more units each semester, you can attend part time. Keep in mind that this may extend the length of the program.

Doing well in a full course load can help show you are ready for the demands of health professional school. Your advisor will help you create a plan that balances your coursework with your other responsibilities.

Core science prerequisite courses and labs are held in person. Many health professional schools prefer this format, especially for lab work.

Upper-division biology electives are offered in a mix of in-person and online synchronous formats.

Classes are held on weekdays during standard business hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They take place on the SFSU campus or online.

Most classes meet two or three times per week. You can expect a schedule with coursework on two, three or four days each week.

Each course is offered once per year, in the spring, summer or fall semester. You can review course timing in the sample curricula.

In most cases, you do not need to repeat courses you have already completed.

You may need to retake a course if you did not pass it, if it was taken long ago and you need a refresher or if it has expired. Some prerequisites for physician assistant and nursing programs may expire after about seven to 10 years.

Your advisor will help you decide what is best for your academic plan.

The time to complete the program depends on your academic background and goals. You will work with your advisor to create a plan that prepares you to be a competitive applicant.

With courses offered in three semesters each year, career changers typically complete the program in about five semesters of full-time study. Academic enhancers usually complete the program in two to five semesters, depending on their needs.

See the Cost and Length section on the Pre-Health homepage.

Yes. The program is eligible for federal student loans. If you start in spring or summer, you may access federal loans for up to three semesters. If you start in fall, you may access federal loans for up to two semesters.

Private student loans may be available beyond this period. A limited number of scholarships are also offered.

To earn the certificate, you need to complete 40 units. At least 20 units must be taken within the program, and up to 20 units may be transferred from previous coursework.

You also need to complete the Applying Colloquium.

Students from the program go on to attend health professional schools across the nation. Many stay in California. Common medical school destinations include UCSF, UC Davis and Touro University California. Common dental school destinations include UCSF and University of the Pacific.

Yes. As a Pre-Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate student, you can apply for on-campus housing through the University Housing List.