Being a Pre-Health student means that in addition to your major requirements, you are also completing the pre-requisite coursework and extracurricular work to apply to a professional health program such as medical school or dental school after your time at UP. There is no such thing as a pre-health major or a pre-med major, so the good news is you can major in anything you want! Professional health programs admit students from a variety of majors every year with no preference shown to any particular area.
Here at UP, we can help you determine how to fit in the extra pre-requisite coursework for any professional health program with your major choice. We can also help you figure out what kinds of extracurricular activities you should be doing while you are a student to help you with that professional school application later on.
Below, you can find pre-requisite worksheets for the common professional health programs we advise for. Please note that these worksheets list the general pre-requisite courses for each area. Students should always double check the specific pre-requisites for the programs they are applying to in order to ensure all of their coursework is completed prior to application.
For prospective and first-year Pre-Health students, check out our Pre-Health Basics with a list of frequently asked questions.
Andrew Lafrenz, PhD, MPH, is the new Associate Dean for Pre-Health Professions, the Director of the Public Health and Wellness Program and an Associate Professor. Andrew is a 2002 graduate of the University of Portland with a degree in Biology. Upon completion of a Masters in Integrative Physiology at the University of Georgia, he became a full-time lecturer in the Biology Department at UP for eleven years. Andrew was also an All-Academic student-athlete in track and cross-country for both the University of Portland and the University of Georgia. After attending Oregon State University and earning an MPH in epidemiology and PhD in public health with a focus in behavioral epidemiology he completed a postdoc fellowship in epidemiology with the CDC. During that fellowship, he worked with the Wyoming Department of Health analyzing maternal and child health data related to obesity, physical activity, and nutrition.
This will be his 22nd year as a full-time faculty member in higher education, teaching courses ranging from Anatomy and Physiology to Epidemiology and Community Health Promotion. His scholarship focuses on community-based research in the areas of maternal and child health as well as more recently, the role of green spaces on the health of communities. Andrew holds national certifications as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, a National Board of Health and Wellness Certified Coach and an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Certified Guide. For the past 5 years, he has served as the County Epidemiologist for the Columbia County Public Health Department. Andrew also retired this summer as an elected official serving as a Scappoose City Councilor.
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University of Portland's Annual Health Professions Fair
We can also help advise you if you are interested in chiropractic medicine; the pre-requisites are similar to medicine with a few differences. If you have any questions you can always email us!
In this Alumni Spotlight, we are featuring Emily Kostyuk. Even before college, Emily knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, though she was initially unsure which path to take. She began her studies at UP as a Nursing major but quickly realized during her first semester that her goal was medical school and switched her major to Biology. While on the Bluff, Emily was actively involved in academics and leadership. She conducted C. elegans research with Dr. Wynne in the Genetics lab, served as a mentor through the UP chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association, and held leadership roles as Co-President of the Pre-Medical Student Association and an Organic Chemistry Workshop Leader. Recognizing the rigor and time commitment required to apply to medical school, Emily took gap years to work as a Medical Assistant in a Family Medicine clinic, prepare for the MCAT, and complete her application. She shares that this time allowed her to explore interests outside of medicine, build a strong support system, and strengthen her communication and assertiveness. Emily is now a medical student at OHSU and is excited to stay connected with and support UP pre-med students. We are grateful for her continued involvement and wish her all the best as she continues her journey toward becoming a physician.
Interested in reading more about our alumni and their respective paths in a variety of health fields?
Questions? Contact us! healthprofessions@up.edu
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