**This Program is Discontinued as of Fall 2022**
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals—Record Enhancer (Option I)
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 and health science activities. A student must remain in post-baccalaureate status while completing the certificate program.
Students may begin the certificate program only during the Fall term of an academic year.
The certificate program requires the completion of a minimum of 18 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 through CSU Apply. Acceptance by the University to post-baccalaureate status and acceptance by the selection committee.
- Baccalaureate degree in a science major or a baccalaureate degree in another discipline and completion of pre-health professional required science course with lab (see table below)
- A minimum 3.0 grade point average in all Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math courses
- Personal Statement (see prompt on certificate program application form)
- Two letters of recommendation
| 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 |
Application Cycle
DISCONTINUED
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. All applicants will be contacted with final admission decision via email by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Program Benefits
- Completion of upper-division science coursework
- Access to one-on-one health professions advisement and workshops through the HCAO
Requirements for the Certificate
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required in all coursework.
Completion of a minimum of 18 units from a list of approved courses selected in consultation with your advisor. Submission of university certificate application and program sheet.
List of Courses Approved for Post-Bac (Option I): Record Enhancer Program
BIOL 4000 - Molecular and Cellular Biology II (3 units)
BIOL 4120 - Human Genetics (3 units)
BIOL 4130 - Molecular Diagnostics (3 units)
BIOL 4150 - Population Genetics (3 units)
BIOL 4160 - Molecular Genetics (3 units)
BIOL 4170 - Gene Manipulation (3 units)
BIOL 4180 - Advanced Evolutionary Biology (3 units)
BIOL 4240 - General Embryology (3 units)
BIOL 4290 - Animal Histology (4 units)
BIOL 4300 - Plant Physiology I (4 units)
BIOL 4320 - Fundamentals of Toxicology (3 units)
BIOL 4330 - Integrative Human Physiology I (3 units)
BIOL 4340 - Integrative Human Physiology II (3 units)
BIOL 4350 - Neurobiology: Neuroanatomy and Development (3 units)
BIOL 4360 - Neurobiology: Cellular and Molecular Physiology of the Nervous System (3 units)
BIOL 4370 - Cell Signaling (3 units) BIOL 4390 - Endocrinology (3 units)
BIOL 4450 - Bioscience Companies: From Concept to Market (3 units)
BIOL 4400 - Plant Systematics ( 3 units)
BIOL 4620 - Plant Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 4490 - Neurobiology: Development (3 units)
BIOL 4510 - Ornithology (3 units)
BIOL 4540 - Special Lecture Topics in Biology (1-3 units)
BIOL 4541 - Special Activity Topics in Biology (1-3 units)
BIOL 4700 - Conservation Biology (3 units)
BIOL 4810 - Animal Cell Culture (3 units)
BIOL 4840 - Drug Discovery and Development (3 units)
MICR 4100 - General Virology (3 units)
MICR 4200 - Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (3 units)
MICR 4220 - Bioterrorism and Biosecurity (3 units)
MICR 4300 - Hematology (3 units)
MICR 4400 - Mycology (3 units)
MICR 4540 - Special Topics in Microbiology (1-3 units)
MICR 4541 - Activities in Special Topics in Microbiology (1-3 units)
MICR 4600 - Theoretical and Applied Immunology (4 units)
CHEM 4300 *- Introduction to Biochemistry (3 units)
CHEM 4310 *- Biochemistry I (3 units)
CHEM 4320 - Biochemistry II (3 Units)
* Students may take either CHEM 4300 or 4310, but not both
Program Cost
Students pay Graduate/PB level fees; please refer to the Cashiers Office web site for the most current fee information.
Be aware that this program does not meet the criteria to be eligible for federal or state student aid. As a result, Some students turn to private (non-federal) education loans to help cover their education costs. Before making a decision about a private loan, view the information from Finaid.Org so that you have as much information as possible before you begin the process.
Application Fees
There is a $70 nonrefundable and nontransferable CSU Apply application fee.
Application Checklist:
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for Pre-Health Professionals Application—Record Enhancer (Option I)
- Transcripts from all colleges attended—Only one official set to be sent to the University's Office of Admissions and Recruitment
- Personal Statement
- Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR).
How to Apply
Step 1
Complete and submit a Graduate Application for Admission through CSU Apply
Under "Major/Program Objective", select Certificate - Pre-health Professionals.
Under "Degree Objective", select None.
Step 2
Submit official transcripts to Cal State LA’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment and complete online application to the program through CSU Apply. For help uploading documents associated with your online application, please visit the Uploading Documents webpage.
Step 3
Confirm that your application has been submitted through CSU Apply and your documents have been received with the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Note: The information on this page was modified from what appears in the University Catalog.