Pre-Health Professions

Health careers start from different degrees and different college courses. Compare the paths, then open the one you want. Every fact below names its source.

Last checked:
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What "pre-health" means

Health professional schools do not prefer any specific major, and Cornell does not offer a "pre-health" major. [1]

There is no required major for entrance into a health professions school. [2]

Pre-med and pre-health prerequisites vary across schools and professions. [2]

Compare the paths

Each cell cites the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page for that job. A dash means that BLS page does not state it.

National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.

ProfessionDegreeProgram lengthMedian pay, May 2025Projected growth, 2025–35
Physician (MD or DO)M.D. or D.O. degree [3]4 years of medical school, then 3 to 9 years of internship and residency [3]$275,930 [3]4% [3]
Physician assistantMaster's degree [4]At least 2 years of postbaccalaureate study [4]$135,880 [4]21% [4]
Registered nurseBachelor's degree, associate's degree or diploma [5]BSN programs typically take 4 years [5]$97,550 [5]6% [5]
Nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife or nurse practitionerAt least a master's degree [6]—$134,920 [6]36% [6]
Physical therapistDoctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) [7]Typically 3 years [7]$102,760 [7]12% [7]
DentistDDS or DMD [8]—$176,110 [8]6% [8]
PharmacistDoctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) [9]Usually 4 years (some offer a 3-year option) [9]$140,910 [9]5% [9]
ChiropractorDoctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) [10]Usually 4 years [10]$79,200 [10]9% [10]
OptometristDoctor of Optometry (O.D.) [11]4 years [11]$136,570 [11]10% [11]
PodiatristDoctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) [12]4 years, then a 3-year residency [12]$160,300 [12]2% [12]
VeterinarianDVM or VMD [13]Generally 4 years [13]$130,100 [13]9% [13]
Occupational therapistMaster's degree [14]Usually 2 to 3 years [14]$100,330 [14]15% [14]

Open a path

More health professions

Each profession below has its own page. Here is a short summary from the BLS.

  • Pre-Optometry (OD)

    Optometrists diagnose, manage and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system, including examining eyes and prescribing corrective lenses. [11]

    Optometrists typically need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an accredited program, and O.D. programs take 4 years to complete. [11]

    Applicants must have completed at least 3 years of undergraduate education and also must take an entrance exam. [11]

    Every state requires optometrists to be licensed, and all states require optometrists to take continuing education classes and to renew their license periodically. [11]

  • Pre-Podiatry (DPM)

    Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle and lower leg problems. [12]

    Podiatrists must earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, which takes 4 years to complete, and complete a 3-year residency program. [12]

    Admission to podiatric medicine programs requires at least 3 years of undergraduate education, and applicants usually submit scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). [12]

    Podiatrists in every state must be licensed. [12]

  • Pre-Veterinary (DVM)

    Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. [13]

    Veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine, and the program generally takes 4 years to complete. [13]

    Applicants to veterinary school typically have a bachelor's degree in a field such as biology, and veterinary medical colleges typically require many science classes, including biology, chemistry and animal science. [13]

    Veterinarians must be licensed in order to practice in the United States, and in addition to passing the national exam, most states require a state licensing exam. [13]

  • Pre-Occupational Therapy (OT)

    Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses or disabilities. [14]

    Occupational therapists typically need a master's degree in occupational therapy to enter the occupation, and master's degree programs usually take 2 to 3 years to complete. [14]

    Admission to graduate programs in occupational therapy requires a bachelor's degree, and programs frequently require coursework in biology, psychology and other sciences. [14]

    All states require occupational therapists to be licensed, and at a minimum, candidates must pass a qualifying exam. [14]

Typical high school preparation

  • High school students who want to become doctors should take as many math and science classes as they can. [15]
  • As early as high school, students interested in becoming dentists can take courses in subjects such as biology, chemistry and math. [8]
  • Applicants to the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing should have a strong preparation in the sciences, particularly in chemistry and biology. [16]
  • Some Pharm.D. programs admit high school graduates into a 6-year program. [9]
  • A few physical therapy programs offer freshman entry, recruiting students directly from high school. [17]
  • Many medical and dental schools do not accept AP credit for prerequisite requirements. [1]

Only what a cited source states is listed here.

Pre-Health Foundations: coming soon

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Requirements differ by school and program and can change from year to year: confirm with each school, and for licensing, with the state licensing board. UpOnly Learning does not promise admission, grades, a job or pay. For full, up-to-date details, check the original sources below.

Sources

  1. Cornell University, Health Professions Advising Center. Academic Preparation. https://prehealthadvising.cornell.edu/academic-preparation. no edition stated (footer © 2026; refers to course changes effective Fall 2026). Checked .
  2. Johns Hopkins University, Office of Pre-Professional Advising. Prerequisites For Health Professions Schools. https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/preprofadvising/pre-medhealth/prerequisites/. no edition stated. Checked .
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physician Assistants. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  8. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dentists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  9. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  10. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chiropractors. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  11. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Optometrists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  12. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Podiatrists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/podiatrists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  13. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinarians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinarians.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  14. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Occupational Therapists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
  15. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Four Things a High School Student Can Do to Prepare for Medical School. https://students-residents.aamc.org/resources-k-12-students/four-things-high-school-student-can-do-prepare-medical-school. no edition stated (page footer © 2026). Checked .
  16. University of Pennsylvania, Penn Admissions. Academics (Preparing Your Application). https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/preparing-your-application/academics. no edition stated. Checked .
  17. American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Becoming a Physical Therapist. https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/becoming-a-pt. no edition stated (footer © 2026). Checked .

Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.