Program Overview

Professional School Preparation: Pre-Dental, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary, Pre-Optometry Preparation/Specialization Information

Related Degrees & Certificates

• AS Associate in Science Degree Program
  • Allied Health | 60 units
  • Biological Sciences | 60 units
• AS-T Associate in Science Degree for Transfer
  • Biology | 60 units
  • Nutrition and Dietetics | 60 units

Program Overview

Many students are interested in careers in Allied Health and wonder what they should major in at Cañada College. Students often have the misconception that "pre-med" is an academic major and it is not. Students should major in what they enjoy as long as they take the appropriate courses required for professional school (medical, dental, veterinary) admission. Some students choose majors like Biological Science, Genetics, or Microbiology, where there is a great deal of overlap between courses required for their major and the professional school undergraduate requirements. Others choose majors not directly related to their career objective, such as English, Psychology, Anthropology, and use their elective units to meet the professional school requirements. Professional schools, especially medical schools, are looking for well-rounded students who have taken courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and who have participated in activities and community work.

Each professional school has a minimum number of prerequisite courses to be taken at the undergraduate level. Requirements vary from school to school. Many prerequisite courses may be taken at Cañada College.

Cañada College offers lower division coursework required for transfer in the area of Biological Sciences. Students should use PROJECT ASSIST to research lower division major requirements at the transfer destination(s) of their choice. Also, work with a Counselor/Advisor to determine appropriate transfer coursework.