Breadcrumb
Career Paths
Navigating the start of your career in healthcare can be complicated. Our team of cross-disciplinary academic advisors offer dedicated pre-health advising support for all health programs and pre-health pathways.
Refer to the table below for more information, and contact our professional advisor for guidance.
Not sure where to start?
Connect with Elizabeth Keener, Academic Advisor for pre-professional pathways.
Physical Health Pathways
Humboldt Coursework
- Biology- 2 semesters with labs
- BIOL 105- Principles of Biology
- Other requirements by major or ask an advisor
- General Chemistry- 2 Semesters with Labs
- CHEM 109- General Chemistry 1
- CHEM 110- General Chemistry 2
- Organic Chemistry - 2 Semesters with Labs
- CHEM 324/324L- Organic Chemistry 1 & Lab
- CHEM 325/325L- Organic Chemistry 2 & Lab
- Physics- 2 Semesters with Labs
- PHYX 106- College Physics: Mechanics & Heat
- PHYX 107- College Physics: Electromagnetism & Modern Physics
- Recommended/optional
- MATH 105- Calculus for Biological Sciences
- MATH 109- Calculus 1
- STAT 109- Introductory Biostatistics
- ZOOL 113- Human Physiology
- ZOOL 270- Human Anatomy
Exams
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
Confirm with target schools
Possible Degrees
Health & Medical Science
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Biology, General
Biology, Cellular/Molecular
Humboldt Coursework
Same as Pre-Med. Many dental schools also expect anatomy/physiology and microbiology (courses vary). Confirm with your advisor.
Exams
DAT (Dental Admission Test)
Confirm with target schools
Possible Degrees
Health & Medical Science
Biology, General
Biology, Cellular/Molecular
Humboldt Coursework
Same as Pre-Med. Additional animal and physiology courses may strengthen preparation. Confirm with your advisor
Exams
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
Confirm with target schools
Possible Degrees
Biology, General
Biology, Cellular/Molecular
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Zoology
Humboldt Coursework
Similar to Pre-Med, but add:
BIO 412 - Microbiology
ZOOL 113 - Human Physiology
Confirm with your advisor
Exams
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Confirm with target schools
Possible Degrees
Health & Medical Science
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Biology, General
Biology, Cellular/Molecular
Humboldt Coursework
- Chemistry
- CHEM 109 General Chemistry 1
- CHEM 110 General Chemistry 2
- CHEM 324/324L- Organic Chemistry 1 & Lab
- CHEM 325/325L- Organic Chemistry 2 & Lab
- CHEM 434/L- Biochemistry 1
- Biology
- BIOL 105- Principles of Biology
- BIOL 412- Microbiology
- BIOL 304- Genetics
- Math
- STAT 109- Statistics
- MATH 105- Calculus for Biological Sciences
- MATH 109- Calculus 1
- Physics: Basic concepts of light and electricity
Courses vary. Confirm with your advisor
Exams
CLS certification exam after degree completion
Possible Degrees
Health & Medical Science
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Biology, General
Biology, Cellular/Molecular
Humboldt Coursework
Same as Pre-Med. Psychology or perception courses recommended (varies by school)
Exams
OAT (Optometry Admission Test)
Confirm with target schools
Possible Degrees
Health & Medical Science
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Biology, General
Biology, Cellular/Molecular
Humboldt Coursework
- Biology with Labs
- BIOL 105- Principles of Biology
- ZOOL 113- Human Physiology
- ZOOL 270- Human Anatomy
- Chemistry
- CHEM 109- General Chemistry 1
- CHEM 110- General Chemistry 2
- Physics
- PHYX 106- College Physics: Mechanics & Heat
- PHYX 107- College Physics: Electromagnetism & Modern Physics
- Additional courses: Psychology and Statistics. Other biology, chemistry, physics, and kinesiology electives may be recommended. Confirm with your advisor
Exams
GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
Confirm with target schools
Possible Degrees
Health & Medical Science
Kinesiology, Pre-Health Professions
Humboldt Coursework
- Biology with Labs
- Any General Biology- BIOL 102, BIOL 104, or BIOL 105
- ZOOL 113- Human Physiology
- ZOOL 270- Human Anatomy
- Psychology
- PSYC 104- Introduction to Psychology
- PSYC 311- Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 338- Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 321- Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
- Math
- Statistics (STAT 108, 109, PSYC 109)
- Additional courses: Social Sciences: Sociology (SOC 104) or Anthropology, Humanities: Writing/Expository Writing, Medical Terminology, Art: 3D art course (sometimes recommended)
Exams
GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
Confirm with target schools
Possible Degrees
Psychology
Child Development
Kinesiology, Pre-health Professions
Health & Medical Science
Humboldt Coursework
- Biology
- BIOL 104/L- General Biology & Lab
- BIO 412- Microbiology
- ZOOL 113- Human Physiology
- ZOOL 270- Human Anatomy
- Chemistry
- CHEM 107- Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Health Education
- HED 231- Basic Human Nutrition
- KINS 244- Medical Terminology
- Other requirements by major. Check with an advisor
Exams
NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses)
RN is a 2-year program. Speak to an advisor
Possible Degrees
Biology, General
Kinesiology, Pre-health Professions
Health & Medical Science
Note: Our Nursing program requires an RN from a 2-year institution before acceptance.
Behavioral Health Pathways
Humboldt Coursework
- Most school psychology graduate programs (Ed.S., MA, or PhD) expect:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental / Lifespan
- Psychology (very important)
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
- Research Methods
- Helpful additional courses:
- Educational psychology
- Child/adolescent psychology
- Learning or cognition
- Behavior analysis
Exams
GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
Confirm with target schools
After graduate training (for credential/licensure): Praxis School Psychologist Exam (commonly required)
State credentialing requirements: In California, this typically includes a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Psychology
Possible Degrees
Psychology
Child Development / Human Development
Education
Special Education
Sociology
Other acceptable majors (with relevant coursework):
Behavioral sciences
Family studies
Humboldt Coursework
- Most graduate programs in counseling or clinical psychology expect:
- General Psychology (Intro)
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental/Lifespan Psychology
- Statistics
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Personality Psychology (sometimes recommended)
- Social Psychology (often recommended)
- Helpful additional courses
- Human sexuality
- Cognitive psychology
- Biology or neuroscience basics
Exams
GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
Confirm with target schools
After grad school (for licensure):
- EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
- Possibly a state-specific jurisprudence exam
Possible Degrees
Psychology
Human Development / Human Services
Sociology
Social Work
Behavioral Sciences
- Other acceptable majors (if paired with psych coursework):
- Biology
- Education
- Criminal Justice
Humboldt Courses
- LCSW programs (MSW programs) are generally more flexible than psychology PhD programs, but helpful coursework includes
- Introduction to Psychology
- Sociology
- Human Development / Lifespan Development
- Social Problems or Social Inequality
- Statistics (recommended, not always required)
- Research Methods (helpful but not always required)
- Some programs may also value
- Public health
- Cultural studies / diversity-related courses
- Human behavior in the social environment
Exams
GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
Confirm with target schools
After completing the MSW (for licensure)
- ASWB Clinical Exam
- State-specific law & ethics exam (California requires this)
Possible Degrees
Social Work (BSW)
Psychology
Sociology
Human Development / Human Services
Criminal Justice
Public Health
- Other acceptable majors
- Education
- Political Science
- Anthropology