$270
Tuition Cost per Credit
< 1 year
Average Completion*
Your Future in Healthcare Starts Here
A focused pathway to the prerequisite coursework, academic preparation, and experiences you need to take the next step toward professional school and a rewarding career in healthcare.
Prepare for your next step in healthcare with the Pre-Health Certificate at Athens State University. Designed for students pursuing professional programs in medicine and other health-related fields, this certificate provides a focused pathway to complete essential prerequisite coursework while building the academic foundation and experiences needed for competitive professional-school applications.
Whether you’re preparing for medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, optometry, or another health profession, Athens State can help you turn your career goal into a strategic academic plan. The three-semester certificate can also complement an existing bachelor’s degree or provide a focused option for students who have already earned a degree and need additional prerequisite coursework.
Program Overview
The Pre-Health Certificate is designed to help you complete prerequisite courses commonly required by professional health programs while receiving individualized guidance along the way. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all pre-health track, you’ll work with a Pre-Health advisor to build a course plan around your intended professional school and its specific admission requirements.
The certificate is flexible enough to support preparation for a wide range of professional programs, including medical (MD and DO), dental, pharmacy, veterinary, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, athletic training, anesthesiologist assistant, audiology, nurse practitioner, and psychiatry programs. Coursework can also help prepare students for standardized admissions examinations such as the MCAT, DAT, and PCAT.
The Pre-Health Certificate can be paired with an Athens State degree or pursued by students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and need to complete additional prerequisite coursework. This makes it an especially useful option for students changing career direction, preparing for professional school after completing an undergraduate degree, or seeking a more focused pathway toward a healthcare career.
What You’ll Learn
Your coursework will depend on your intended professional program, but the Pre-Health Certificate provides a strong foundation in the sciences and other areas commonly required for professional-school admission. Depending on your career goal, your academic plan may include biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, or other supporting coursework.
You’ll also develop the academic preparation and critical-thinking skills needed to succeed in demanding professional programs. Your advisor can help you identify the prerequisite courses required by the schools you plan to pursue and build a timeline that accounts for coursework, standardized examinations, application deadlines, and other requirements.
Pre-Health preparation extends beyond the classroom. Athens State encourages students to pursue clinical or professional experiences, research, community service, job shadowing, and other opportunities that can strengthen a professional-school application and help you better understand your chosen healthcare field.
Your Career Advantage Starts Here
The Pre-Health Certificate is designed for students whose ultimate goal is advanced professional education rather than immediate entry into a single career. By completing the appropriate prerequisite coursework and developing a strategic plan for professional-school admission, you’ll be better prepared to take the next step toward a career in healthcare.
Depending on your goals, the certificate can help prepare you for professional programs leading to careers such as physician, dentist, pharmacist, veterinarian, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, optometrist, nurse practitioner, or other health professions.
Your Pre-Health advisor can help you identify the courses and experiences that align with the admission requirements of your target professional schools. Because requirements vary from one program to another, students should work closely with their intended professional schools to confirm prerequisite and admission requirements.
Explore your career pathways with the Pre-Health certificate, including anticipated salaries, annual job growth, and even active job listings through the Career Concourse portal.
$57k
Health Education Specialist Estimated Entry Salary
$81k
Health Education Specialist Estimated Median Salary
Estimated salary and employment information based on labor market data provided by Career Concourse and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries and employment outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and employer and are not guaranteed upon degree completion.
Admissions & Aid
The Pre-Health Certificate offers a flexible way to complete prerequisite coursework at Athens State, whether you are pursuing it alongside an undergraduate degree or returning to college after earning a bachelor’s degree. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can use the certificate to complete additional pre-professional coursework without pursuing another undergraduate degree.
Athens State’s affordability and flexible course options can make completing prerequisite coursework more accessible, particularly for students balancing college with work and other responsibilities. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities may be available based on your student status and eligibility.
Because professional-school prerequisites vary, your first step should be connecting with a Pre-Health advisor to develop an academic plan that matches the requirements of the professional programs you are considering.
Why Choose This Program at Athens State?
Life doesn’t stop while you’re earning your degree. That’s why the Pre-Health certificate program is offered through flexible course formats, allowing you to complete coursework when it fits your schedule without sacrificing academic quality.
Built for Today’s Professionals
You shouldn’t have to choose between advancing your education and advancing your career. Athens State’s degree programs are designed with working professionals in mind. Flexible learning options allow you to pursue your degree while continuing to meet your professional and personal commitments.
Invest in Your Future The Smart Way
Athens State University is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education. As Alabama’s most affordable public, state university, we give you the opportunity to earn an advanced degree while making a smart investment in your future, without unnecessary debt.
Learn from Experienced Faculty
Our faculty combine academic excellence with real-world experience, bringing current industry practices into every course. At Athens State, you’re not facing the journey alone — our dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and staff walk alongside you each step of the way, providing personalized guidance and support.
Our Faculty
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*Average completion time varies by student and depends on prior credits
transferred to Athens State and the number of courses taken per semester.
Please consult with your Student Success Coach and faculty advisor for your personalized plan of study.