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Health-related pre-professional programs


Your future in Health-related pre-professional programs

Want to attend medical or dental school? Have a desire to become a physician assistant or pharmacist or work as a physical therapist? The University of North Texas' Office of Health Professions can put you on the right track to become a health professional such as a:

  • Dentist
  • Physician assistant
  • Doctor
  • Physical therapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Podiatrist
  • Optometrist
  • Veterinarian
  • Pharmacist

How we can help

The Office of Health Professions has advisors and counselors who provide one-on-one advising and prepare you for professional school through various seminars, advising and information sessions. Detailed information regarding entrance requirements, tutoring, the application process, letters of recommendation and the interview process also provided to you.

Several academic departments offer courses that prepare you to enroll in health professions programs in Texas and across the nation. Your undergraduate major may be in any program, but the prerequisite requirements for applying to health professions schools must also be met. Many of our most distinguished faculty members teach these courses. Opportunities to participate in their research may also be available.

You can gain valuable insights and access to other resources through the Alpha Epsilon Delta national pre-health honor society. Other related student organizations include the:

  • Alpha Delta Pre-Health Minority Club
  • Eagles Pre-Pharmacy Association
  • Medically Dedicated Students Organization
  • Pre-Dental Society
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Club
  • Pre-Physician Assistant Club
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club

A Living-Learning Community brings together students pursuing health profession careers who live on campus to enhance social and academic experiences.

Information about health professions scholarships is available by contacting the Office of Health Professions at healthprofessions@unt.edu or by calling at 940-565-2051.

Looking ahead

For admission to medical, dental, podiatry, optometry or veterinary school, it's important that you:

  • Maintain a strong GPA
  • Make a competitive score on the entrance exam
  • Shadow professionals in the chosen profession
  • Demonstrate a desire to help others by volunteering in patient-based activities

Nine medical schools, three dental schools, one veterinary medical school, two optometry schools and many allied health care professional schools are located in Texas. Among the nine medical schools is the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth's Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, which is the only osteopathic medicine school in the state.

The health science center also houses many master's and doctoral programs, including those in physician assistant studies (master's), physical therapy (doctoral) and pharmacy (doctoral).

HOW TO ENROLL AT UNT

High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the distinguished level of achievement under the Texas Foundation, Recommended or Distinguished Achievement high school program or the equivalent.

In your junior year, take the SAT or ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, apply for admission at www.applytexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit our website

Transfer students

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult our online transfer guides, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor or advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning will allow you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you with a peer mentor and other campus resources. Each year, 3,800 students transfer to UNT. More information about the center is available at the Transfer Center site.