An opportunity to prepare for a specific career, the Pre-Professional path at Capital allows students the opportunity to take courses designed to help them excel in graduate school. Students who choose to pursue a Pre-Health path at Capital take extensive science courses within the context of a well-rounded education.

Degrees Offered

Majors/Minors

Pre-Athletic Training
Pre-Chiropractic Medicine
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medical Doctor
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy

Build Your Own Professional Path

Opportunities to Help Improve Health for All

Pre-Med and Health Specializations

Do you want to be a medical doctor or a veterinarian? Or, are in interested in being an optometrist, a dentist, or a physician’s assistant? Or, do you want to be a chiropractor or a pharmacist? Or, is your goal to be an athletic trainer, an occupational therapist, or a physical therapist?

Program Overview

Capital University offers the following pre-health specializations that can be combined with a major of your choice. The specialization path will help you prepare for graduate school application. Specializations include athletic training, chiropractic, dental, medical doctor, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, or veterinary.

Step 1: Select a major that interests you – a major that you will enjoy and do well in.
Step 2: Declare your pre-health specialization in Capital’s Registrar’s Office – this will let your academic advisor know that you are a pre-health student and will help you keep track of the courses that you need to take for your major and for your pre-health specialization.
Step 3: Complete the courses needed for your pre-health specialization – these courses are required or encouraged by most graduate programs for the specialization that you choose.
Step 4: Look at the requirements for the specific graduate programs or medical schools that you are interested in to see whether they have additional course requirements, GPA requirements, and entrance exam requirements.

10:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

80%+

More than 80% of Pre-Medicine Capital students who Apply to Medical School are Accepted

60+

Majors to Choose From

Pre-Health Specializations

Athletic Training

Athletic trainers (ATs) are multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician. As a part of the health care team, athletic trainers can provide primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Athletic Training

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
BIOL 231 & 231L Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Lab
BIOL 232 & 232L Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 and Lab
BIOL 240 Medical Terminology
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
HSPTS 135 Introduction to Public Health
HSPTS 334 Epidemiology
MATH 215 Elementary Statistics OR SOSCI 210 Statistics
SOSCI 220 Social Science Research Methods
PSYCH 120 or 121 Introductory Psychology

Encouraged Courses:

HSPTS 230 Nutrition
HSPTS 289 Applied Human Anatomy
HSPTS 340 Principles of Weight Training & Conditioning
HSPTS 362 Biomechanics
HSPTS 364 and 364L Physiology of Exercise and Lab
UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 215 or SOSCI 210: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractors focus mainly on the vertebral column, and alleviation of pain caused by spinal difficulties, but they have also built a wider health care model which includes nutrition, exercise, posture, stress management, weight management, and a wide range of lifestyle counseling. The philosophy of chiropractic practitioners is the promotion of general health without the use of drugs or surgery.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Chiropractic

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
ENGL 111 Academic Composition
Second Writing Course (e.g., ENGL 204 or 310)
PHYS 220 & 220L General Physics 1 with lab
PHYS 221 & 221L General Physics 2 with lab
PSYCH 120 or 121 Introductory Psychology

Encouraged Courses:

BIOL 324 & 324L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 334 & 334L Vertebrate Physiology
HSPTS 289 Applied Human Anatomy
HSPTS 362 Biomechanics
UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Five semesters of psychology or humanities
Prerequisite Courses Needed for PHYS 220: MATH 120 College Algebra and MATH 230 Calculus

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Chiropractic Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Life University
Logan University
National University of Health Sciences
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Parker University

Dentistry

Dentistry is the field of medicine that specialize in the teeth and associated tissues. Dentists earn a doctor of dental science degree and practice either solo or in a group setting. They also may be employed by the public health service or the military. Dental school is four years, followed by optional specialty training or practice.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Dentistry

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
CHEM 231 & 233 Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab
CHEM 232 & 234 Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab
ENGL 111 Academic Composition
PHYS 220 & 220L General Physics 1 with Lab
PHYS 221 & 221L General Physics 2 with Lab

Encouraged Courses:

BIOL 324 & 324L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 334 & 334L Vertebrate Physiology
CHEM 451 Biochemistry 1
HSPTS 289 Applied Human Anatomy
HSPTS 362 Biomechanics
Second Writing Course (e.g., ENGL 204 or 310)
UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Ceramics Course
Prerequisite Courses Needed for PHYS 220: MATH 120 College Algebra and MATH 230 Calculus

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Dental Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Meharry Medical College
The Ohio State University
University of Louisville

Medical Doctor

An MD (Doctor of Medicine) graduates from a traditional medical school. A DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) graduates from an osteopathic medical school. A major difference between MDs and DOs is that some doctors of osteopathic medicine use manual medicine as part of treatment. Manual medicine can include hands on work on joints and tissues and massage. After medical school, both kinds of doctors must complete training as residents in the specialty they choose. They also must pass the same licensing exam before they can treat people and prescribe medicines.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Medicine

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
CHEM 231 & 233 Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab
CHEM 232 & 234 Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab
ENGL 111 Academic Composition
ENGL 204 Creative Writing or ENGL 310 Writing in the Professions
MATH 230 Calculus I
PHYS 220 & 220L General Physics I and Lab
PHYS 221 & 221L General Physics II and Lab

Encouraged Courses:

BIOL 324 & 324L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 334 & 334L Vertebrate Physiology
CHEM 451 Biochemistry I
CHEM 454 Biochemistry II
HSPTS 289 Applied Human Anatomy
UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 230: MATH 120 College Algebra

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Medical Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Indiana University
Purdue University Indianapolis
Marshall University
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Ohio University
Ross University School of Medicine
The Ohio State University
University of Alabama Birmingham
University of Cincinnati
University of Illinois-Chicago
University of Kentucky
University of Toledo
West Virginia University
Wright State University

Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist (OT) works with individuals whose participation in life has been interrupted by physical injury/ illness, developmental/learning disabilities, psychological/emotional problems or the aging process. The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes occupational therapy as among the fastest growing and most needed health care professions. There is a shortage of therapists nationwide. The number of patients requiring occupational therapy is increasing faster than the number of OTs.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Occupational Therapy

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
BIOL 231 & 231L Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Lab
BIOL 232 & 232L Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 and Lab
ENGL 111 Academic Composition
MATH 215 Elementary Statistics OR SOSCI 210 Statistics
PSYCH 120 or 121 Introductory Psychology
PSYCH 310 Developmental Psychology
SOC 120 or 115 Introductory Sociology

Encouraged Courses:

UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 215 or SOSCI 210: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Occupational Therapy Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Belmont University
Boston University
Indiana Wesleyan University
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Pacific University
The Ohio State University
University of Indianapolis
University of Pittsburgh
University of Toledo
Rush University
Walsh University
Washington University

Optometry

An optometrist earns a doctor of optometry degree and studies the human eye and its function. Optometry school requires four years of study. Optometrists are employed by private industry, as well as hospitals and clinics. They may also be self-employed and open their own practice.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Optometry

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
BIOL 231 & 231L Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Lab
BIOL 232 & 232L Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 and Lab
BIOL 290 & 290L Principles of Microbiology
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
CHEM 231 & 233 Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab
CHEM 232 & 234 Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab
CHEM 451 Biochemistry
PHYS 220 General Physics I and Lab
PHYS 221 General Physics II and Lab
PSYCH 120 or 121 Introductory Psychology
MATH 215 Elementary Statistics or SOSCI 210 Statistics

Encouraged Courses:

UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 215 or SOSCI 210: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Optometry Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Illinois College of Optometry
Nova Southeastern University
Salus University
The Ohio State University
University of Alabama Birmingham

Pharmacy

Pharmacists study drugs and drug interactions in the human body and help to educate the public about drug interactions and effectiveness. Many pharmacists work for pharmaceutical companies, as well as hospitals and pharmacies. A doctor of pharmacy degree requires four years of study after an undergraduate degree.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Pharmacy

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
BIOL 231 & 231L Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Lab
BIOL 232 & 232L Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 and Lab
BIOL 290 & 290L Principles of Microbiology
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
CHEM 231 & 233 Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab
CHEM 232 & 234 Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab
MATH 215 Elementary Statistics OR SOSCI 210 Statistics
MATH 230 Calculus I
PSYCH 120 or 121 Introductory Psychology

Encouraged Courses:

UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
CHEM 451 Biochemistry I
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 215 or SOSCI 210: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 230: MATH 120 College Algebra

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Pharmacy Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Ohio Northern University
The Ohio State University

Physical Therapy

Capital’s pre-physical therapy program prepares students to enter graduate school in physical therapy at the doctoral (DPT) level. Our approach produces professionals eager to increase our understanding of human health and the natural world. Physical therapists practice in hospital settings or through home health agencies, nursing homes, public schools, and a variety of other non-traditional settings.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Physical Therapy

Required Courses*:

BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
BIOL 231 & 231L Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Lab
BIOL 232 & 232L Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 and Lab
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
MATH 215 Elementary Statistics OR SOSCI 210 Statistics
PHYS 220 & 220L General Physics 1 with lab
PHYS 221 & 221L General Physics 2 with lab
PSYCH 120 or 121 Introductory Psychology

Encouraged Courses:

HSPTS 289 Applied Human Anatomy
HSPTS 385 Therapeutic Rehabilitation
UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 215 or SOSCI 210: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra
Prerequisite Courses Needed for PHYS 220: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra, MATH 120 College Algebra, and MATH 230 Calculus

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Physical Therapy Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Andrews University
Chapman University
Cleveland State University
Marshall University
Mount St. Joseph University
Ohio University
Saint Francis University (PA)
The Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati
University of Dayton
University of Findlay
University of Lynchburg
University of Maryland Baltimore
University of Toledo
Walsh University
Wheeling University

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They may treat injuries, prescribe most medications, and perform routine patient care. A master’s degree is required and takes 2.5 years to complete.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Physician Assistant

Required Courses*:

BIOL 150 or 270/270L Genetics
BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
BIOL 231 & 231L Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Lab
BIOL 232 & 232L Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 and Lab
BIOL 240 Medical Terminology
BIOL 290 & 290L Principles of Microbiology
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
CHEM 231 & 233 Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab
CHEM 232 & 234 Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab
CHEM 451 Biochemistry
ENGL 111 Academic Composition
MATH 215 Elementary Statistics OR SOSCI 210 Statistics
PSYCH 120 or 121 Introductory Psychology

Encouraged Courses:

HSPTS 289 Applied Human Anatomy
UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 215 or SOSCI 210: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Physician Assistant Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

Albany Medical College
Baldwin-Wallace University
Butler University
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Kettering College
Lake Erie College
Marietta College
Ohio Dominican University
Ohio University
Shenandoah University
University of Dayton
University of Findlay
University of Mount Union
University of Toledo
University of Nebraska
University of Toledo

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary physicians treat non-human patients, from cats and dogs to exotic animals in zoos. Four years of study after the undergraduate degree are required to earn the doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Opportunities for specialty training are available in addition to private practice. Veterinarians often work for the government and industry as food and public health inspectors, as well as in zoos, aquaria, and animal parks.

See the Required and Encouraged Courses for Pre-Veterinary

Required Courses*:

BIOL 150 Human and Applied Genetics OR BIOL 270/270L Genetics
BIOL 151 & 151L Foundations of Modern Biology 1 and Lab
BIOL 152 & 152L Foundations of Modern Biology 2 and Lab
BIOL 290 & 290L Principles of Microbiology
CHEM 171 & 173 Chemical Principles 1 and Lab
CHEM 172 & 174 Chemical Principles 2 and Lab
CHEM 231 & 233 Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 232 & 234 Organic Chemistry 2
ENGL 111 Academic Composition
Second Writing Course (e.g., ENGL 204 or 310)
MATH 215 Elementary Statistics OR SOSCI 210 Statistics
PHYS 220 & 220L General Physics 1 with lab
PHYS 221 & 221L General Physics 2 with lab

Encouraged Courses:

BIOL 324 & 324L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 334 & 334L Vertebrate Physiology
HSPTS 289 Applied Human Anatomy
HSPTS 362 Biomechanics
UC 100 Section: 21st Cent. Health Professions
Five semesters of psychology or humanities
Prerequisite Courses Needed for MATH 215 or SOSCI 210: MATH 110 Intermediate Algebra
Prerequisite Courses Needed for PHYS 220: MATH 120 College Algebra and MATH 230 Calculus

*Students should check specific course and application requirements to determine if additional courses are needed to apply.

See the Veterinary Schools that Capital University Graduates Attended

The Ohio State University

Ready for the Next Step?

Request Information

Male And Female Standing In Front Of Mees

Schedule a Visit

Apply to Capital

Apply Now