Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals
This post-baccalaureate certificate program provides an opportunity for pre-health career students to strengthen their academic background prior to application for admission to a health professional school. The program is designed to make post-baccalaureate students more competitive for admission through a combination of coursework, standardized test preparation, and health science activities. A student must remain in post-baccalaureate status while completing the certificate program. A grant from the US Department of Education's Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) program allows us to offer additional exciting training opportunities to eligible students.
Students may begin the certificate program only during the Fall Quarter of an academic year. Completed applications must be received by the Department no later than May 15 (this is not a postmark date).
The certificate program requires completion of a minimum of 24 units taken in post-baccalaureate standing. A maximum of 6 units of previously completed post-baccalaureate coursework from another institution may be used toward completion of the certificate program. Refer to the Graduate Study chapter of the University Catalog for general information governing all certificate programs.
Requirements for Admission to the Program
Completion of a University application and acceptance by the University to post-baccalaureate status.
Completion of a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for Pre-Health Professionals application form and acceptance by the selection committee. A limited number of students will be accepted into the program each academic year.
An undergraduate degree in a biological science from an accredited college or university, or an undergraduate degree in another discipline from an accredited college or university and completion of pre-health professional required science courses with lab (see table below).
Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math courses.
| REQUIRED COURSES | Required |
| General Biology with lab | 1 year |
| General Chemistry with lab | 1 year |
| Organic Chemistry with lab | 1 year |
| General Physics with lab | 1 year |
| College Mathematics | 1 quarter/semester |
| General Genetics with lab | 1 quarter/semester |
| Cell Biology with lab | 1 quarter/semester |
Admissions Decisions
Admissions decisions are finalized in mid-June and formally made by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Email is the university's official method of communication.
Requirements for the Certificate
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required in all course work.
Completion of a minimum of 24 units from the following list of courses.
| BIOL 408 | Experimental Design and Advanced Biometry (4) |
| BIOL 413 | Molecular Diagnostics (4) |
| BIOL 414 | Cytogenetics (4) |
| BIOL 415 | Population Genetics (4) |
| BIOL 416 | Molecular Genetics (4) |
| BIOL 417 | Principles of Gene Manipulation (4) |
| BIOL 422 | Vertebrate Structure and Function (5) |
| BIOL 424 | General Embryology (4) |
| BIOL 429 | Animal Histology (5) |
| BIOL 432 | Fundamentals of Toxicology(4) |
| BIOL 433 | Animal Physiology I (4) |
| BIOL 434 | Animal Physiology II (4) |
| BIOL 435 | Neurobiology: Neuroanatomy (4) |
| BIOL 436 | Neurobiology: Neurophysiology (4) |
| BIOL 439 | Endocrinology (4) |
| BIOL 444 | Drug Discovery (4) |
| BIOL 448 | Molecular Biology of the Brain (4) |
| BIOL 449 | Neurobiology of Development (4) |
| BIOL 454LP | May be taken with PRIOR adviser approval (units vary) |
| MICR 401 | General Virology (3) |
| MICR 410 | Hematology (4) |
| MICR 412 | Introduction to Epidemiology (4) |
| MICR 430 | Bacterial Physiology (3) |
| MICR 433 | Bacterial Physiology Laboratory (2) |
| MICR 450 | Innate Immunity (4) |
| MICR 454L | May be taken with PRIOR adviser approval (units vary) |
| CHEM 431A | Biochemistry (3) |
| CHEM 431B | Biochemistry (3) |
| CHEM 431C | Biochemistry (3) |
| CHEM 435 | Introduction to Biochemistry (4) |
Completion of one or more of the following courses is strongly recommended to enhance a professional school application.
| ANTH 444 | Medical Anthropology (4) |
| BIOL 300 | Biometrics (4) |
| ENGL 308 | Expository Writing (4) |
| PHIL 429 | Bioethics (4) |
| SOC 425 | Medical Sociology (4) |
Application Checklist:
- Two sets of official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended (one to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and one to be sent with your supplemental application packet)
- Personal Statement
- Two letters of recommendation/evaluation (directly from the originator) - at least one letter must be from a faculty person
- Official copy of standardized test score (MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE etc.) - if applicable
- Letter of Rejection - if applicable
- Letter verifying waiting list status - if applicable
- Expanding Opportunities for Pre-health Professionals program cover page - if applicable
How to Apply
Step 1
Complete and submit a University application through CSU Mentor at http://www.csumentor.edu/.
- Under "Major/Program Objective", select Pre-Health Science Certificate.
- Under "Degree Objective", select None.
Step 2
Request that official transcripts of all universities/colleges you attended be mailed to:
California State University, Los Angeles
Office of Admissions and Recruitment
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Step 3
Complete a supplemental Department application:
 |
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals Application |
Here are examples of completed supplemental applications for students from semester and quarter systems:
|
Completed pre-health certificate application semester system |
|
Completed pre-health certificate application quarter system |
If you are a member of any of the following groups:
- Hispanic/Latino
- Economically disadvantaged
- Academically disadvantaged
Go to /academic/biol/ppoha.php and read the program description for the Expanding Opportunities for Pre-Health Professionals Program. If you are interested, fill out and submit the Expanding Opportunities for Pre-Health Professionals Cover Page with your application.
Step 4
Mail supplemental Department Application and all supporting documents to:
California State University, Los Angeles
Biological Sciences 143
c/o Pre-Health Certificate Selection Committee
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8201
Step 5
Apply for financial aid at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Contact Information
For advisement questions or to check on the status of your application, please email us at the address below.
Elba Muñoz, M.A.
Health Professions Advisor
Office: BIOS 174
Tel: (323) 343-6062
Alex Martinez, M.A.
Program Coordinator
Office: BIOS 170
Tel: (323)343-6063
Note: The information on this page was modified from what appears in the University Catalog.