We Prepare You To Stand Out

What do medical and other health professional schools look for in candidates? While application requirements are unique to each schooland program, most schools seek students who are top academic performers with high overall science/math and science GPAs and high professional school admissions test scores (eg, MCAT, OAT, DAT, GRE); have extensive and relevant research as well as experiential and volunteer activities; demonstrate evidence of professional competency and behavior and positive letters of recommendation.

Post-Secondary Certificate in Pre-Medical and Health Professions

To be eligible for a Duquesne University letter of endorsement, PMHPP Honors Cords, and designation of enrollment in the PMHPP on his/her transcript, a student must earn the PMHP Post-Secondary Certificate. This designation on a student's transcript will provide medical, dental, and other health professional schools' admission units with a way to recognize a student who has received specialized education and training consistent with those who may earn a degree/academic major in pre-medical studies at other universities. It also validates the unique intentional learning in medicine and health professional content that is not offered to any other group of students at the University.

To earn the PMHP Post-Secondary Certificate, an UG-PMHPP student must:

  • Complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of PMHPP-approved pre-medical/health professional coursework in math, science, or psychology/sociology, earned with a minimum grade of "C" or better, after being formally enrolled in the Program.
  • Take an UG-PMHPP course each of the fall/spring semesters up until the time of application to medical or health professional school, with a minimum of one full year (two UG-PMHPP courses) being required to earn the PMHP Post-Secondary Certificate.
  • Earn passing grades in all UG-PMHPP courses,
  • Meet all PMHPP academic and professional behavior retention standards,
  • Demonstrate a cumulative GPA of >3.0, cumulative math/science GPA of >3.0, and cumulative science GPA of >3.0 at the time of validation for graduation to earn the PMHP Certificate, and
  • Be in good standing at the University and within his/her respective school

PMHPP student professional expectations, behavior, and academic retention standards are described in the 2021-2022 PMHPP Handbook which is accessible to all PMHPP students on the Community Canvas site.


NOTE: Undergraduate students applying to or already enrolled in Duquesne's Pharmacy, Nursing, or Physician Assistant academic major programs are not eligible for the PMHPP to pursue these careers, because they already receive the specialized advisement and preparation services for those careers through their respective programs. Should they wish to pursue medical/health professional careers other than their major program careers, they then may apply to the PMHPP to get the additional assistance to pursue those alternate paths.

Post-Secondary Certificate in Pre-Medical and Health Professions

To be eligible for a Duquesne University letter of endorsement, PMHPP Honors Cords, and designation of enrollment in the PMHPP on his/her transcript, a student must earn the PMHP Post-Secondary Certificate. This designation on a student's transcript will provide medical, dental, and other health professional schools' admission units with a way to recognize a student who has received specialized education and training consistent with those who may earn a degree/academic major in pre-medical studies at other universities. It also validates the unique intentional learning in medicine and health professional content that is not offered to any other group of students at the University.

Earn the PMHP Post-Secondary Certificate

An UG-PMHPP student must:

Complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of PMHPP-approved pre-medical/health professional coursework in math, science, or psychology/sociology, earned with a minimum grade of "C" or better, after being formally enrolled in the Program.

An UG-PMHPP student must:

Take an UG-PMHPP course each of the fall/spring semesters up until the time of application to medical or health professional school, with a minimum of one full year (two UG-PMHPP courses) being required to earn the PMHP Post-Secondary Certificate.

An UG-PMHPP student must:

Earn passing grades in all Ug-PMHPP courses

An UG-PMHPP student must:

Meet all PMHPP academic and professional behavior retention standards*,  be in good standing at the university and within his/her respective school.

 

*PMHPP student professional expectations, behavior, and academic retention standards are described in the 2021-2022 PMHPP Handbook which is accessible to all PMHPP students on the Community Canvas site.

An UG-PMHPP student must:

Demonstrate a cumulative GPA of >3.0, cumulative math/science GPA of >3.0, and cumulative science GPA of >3.0 at the time of validation for graduation to earn the PMHP Certificate

Pre-requisite Coursework

The amount of flexibility in your academic major curriculum will influence how and when the additional medical pre-requisite requirements will "fit" in your schedule. You are strongly encouraged to work closely with your PMHPP advisor to determine your specific pre-requisite course needs. The common pre-requisite coursework is as follows.

Common Pre-requisite Courses

2 Biology with labs
2 Chemistry with labs
1 Organic Chemistry with lab
1 Physics with lab       
1-2 Behavioral Sciences
1-2 Advanced Math or Stats

Samples of Additional Requirements Depending on Discipline

Microbiology with lab
1-2 English/Writing courses
2 Biochemistry 
2 Anatomy/Physiology with labs
Medical Terminology
2nd courses in Physics and Organic Chemistry with labs

NOTE: Use of AP credit is discouraged for the required math and science content; many medical and health professional schools do not accept AP credits for these types of courses.

PMHPP Course Sequence

In addition to gathering your pre-requisite coursework, you'll also get a chance to complete a dedicated PMHPP curriculum to give you a broad understanding of the culture and responsibilities associated with careers in medicine, as well as basic clinical skills, health and safety training, medical terminology, application preparation and instruction in basic anatomy and pathophysiology.

PMHP 101 - Pre-Medical and Health Professions I (Fall only)
This course is designed to provide first year PMHPP students with a broad understanding of the culture, expectations, and responsibilities associated with careers in medicine. Students receive instruction on the basic anatomy and function of the cardiorespiratory system, and learn and practice the associated basic medical/health skills including assessment of vitals, OSHA and HIPAA training, and maintaining a sterile and safe work environment.

PMHP 102 - Pre-Medical and Health Professions II (Spring only)
This second course in the first year series is designed to expose students to basic anatomical structures, function, and common conditions associated with the cardiorespiratory, digestive, and neurological systems. Students also learn more advanced medical/health skills including assessments of heart/lung sounds, blood oxygenation, blood glucose, and body temperature, as well as basic neurological assessment. Pre-Requisite: PMHP 101.

OR

PMHP 103 - Pre-Medical and Health Professions Combined Course (Spring only)
This course provides students who were unable to take the PMHP 101/102 course series with a broad understanding of the culture, expectations, and responsibilities associated with careers in medicine. Students are exposed to the anatomy, function, and common conditions of found in the cardiorespiratory, and gastrointestinal, systems. They also receive instruction on the associated medical/health skills, as well as OSHA, HIPAA and the skills needed to maintain a sterile and safe work environment.

PMHP 201-Pre-Medical and Health Professions III (Fall only)

Through lecture, guided-discovery, and case-based learning formats, this course introduces UG-PMHPP students to the medical terminology of body structure and function, appearance and position, and oncology, as well as the terminology and abbreviations associated with common conditions of the integumentary, cardiorespiratory, and endocrine systems. Students also are introduced to evidence-based practice and cultural competency in medicine. Pre-Requisite: PMHP 102 or 103

PMHP 203 - Pre-Medical and Health Professions IV (Spring only)
This course is a continuation of the PMHP 201 course and reinforces previous learning and skills from that course. Students also learn medical terminology and abbreviations associated with neonatology, hearing and sight, as well as the terminology and abbreviations associated with the digestive, musculoskeletal, urinary, male and female reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems. Pre-Requisite: PMHP 201

OR

PMHP 205 - Medical Terminology for Pre-Health Students - 1 credit (Spring Only)
Through lecture, guided-discovery, and case-based learning formats, this course is designed to promote and evaluate UG-PMHPP students' understanding of medical terminology and abbreviations associated with common conditions of the cardiorespiratory, endocrine, digestive, musculoskeletal, urinary, male and female reproductive, and integumentary systems. Students also are exposed to the terminology associated with neonatology, hearing, and sight.

PMHP 301 - Pre-Medical and Health Professions Seminar (Spring Only)
This course is designed to prepare PMHPP students to strategically prepare and complete the professional school application and admission processes. Students receive instruction on developing and refining the different components of the professional school applications, interview skills, preparing for admission exams, and how to describe and demonstrate professional behaviors and experiences required by professional schools. Pre-Requisite: PMHP 101 or 103