Health Pathways

Are you interested in a career in health? ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ offers the largest number of health-related programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia, providing undergraduate and graduate pathways to diverse careers in medicine, dentistry, medical laboratory and diagnostic sciences, nursing, public health, rehabilitation sciences, and more. Our health programs equip students with a rigorous science foundation, coupled with a robust liberal arts education, clinical experiences, and research opportunities, preparing them for both entry into the workforce or admission into top-quality graduate programs nationwide.

Academic advisors provide guidance to help you explore your career interests, goals, and pathways to an undergraduate degree and beyond.Ìý Select from the tabs below to see the programs we offer @ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿.

Programs

The following programs offer students an opportunity to begin working in a health-related field upon graduation. Students pursuing admissions to graduate professional health programs like medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant and other professional programs can choose any major as a path toward a graduate degree. ÌýÌý

Clinical ProgramsÌýin theÌýEllmer College of Health SciencesÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýEllmer School of NursingÌýprovide a path toward licensure or certification to begin working as a health professional upon graduation and successful completion of licensing or certification exams. Clinical Programs have limited spaces and require a secondary application for admission. Admission into the following majors is selective and competitive. Students are Intended Majors unless admitted by the program via the secondary application process. Make sure to review the admissions criteria for your intended major before applying. These programs are lock-step and admit students once per year. Most programs start in the fall. Additional information regarding each major can be found below:

Pre-Clinical programs in the Ellmer College of Health Sciences provide a pathway for students interested in pursuing career paths that require a graduate degree + license/certification to practice in a clinical setting, such as in medicine, physical therapy, or speech language pathology.Ìý

The following programs in theÌýEllmer College of Health SciencesÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýCollege of SciencesÌýoffer students the opportunity to pursue a bachelor's degree with a health-related focus. Students gain practical skills through hands on learning and research opportunities. These programs prepare students for opportunities in both clinical and research-based settings.

Ellmer College of Health Sciences

The Exercise Science - Preventive/Rehabilitative Track prepares students for opportunities in biomechanics, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and health & wellness fields.

College of Sciences

Majors in theÌýCollegeÌýof SciencesÌýoffer students the opportunity to build a robust science foundation in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, psychology, and physics. Through hands-on learning and research opportunities, students gain the knowledge and skills needed for careers in education, research, health, technology, or as preparation for pursuing advanced studies including medical, dental, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary, and other professional health programs.

Joint School of Public Health

Majors in theÌýJoint School of Public Health,Ìýprepare students for careers in environmental health, occupational safety, health administration and management, behavioral health, health education and promotion, and public health in the community, including public health departments, the military, data analysis, and the health equity field. ÌýÌý

Students pursuing admission to most master's degree programs in the , Ellmer College of Health Sciences, and Joint School of Public Health can choose ANY undergraduate major as a path toward a graduate degree. Students pursuing admission to a graduate program in the Ellmer School of Nursing must complete a Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field before applying.

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The following programs are all Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs. For specific admission requirements for each program,Ìý

For working professionals seeking to advance their careers.Ìý

Students pursuing admission to graduate professional health programs like medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other professional programs, including the MD degree offered byÌýÌýand the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) in theÌýÌýcan choose ANY undergraduate majorÌýas a path toward a graduate degree. Students pursuing admission to a graduate program in theÌýEllmer School of NursingÌýmust complete a Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field before applying.Ìý

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The following programs are all Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs. For specific admission requirements for each program,ÌýÌý

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For working professionals seeking to advance their careers.

  • (must be a working physician assistant)

The following programs offer students an opportunity to begin working in a health-related field upon graduation. Students pursuing admissions to graduate professional health programs like medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant and other professional programs can choose any major as a path toward a graduate degree. ÌýÌý

Clinical ProgramsÌýin theÌýEllmer College of Health SciencesÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýEllmer School of NursingÌýprovide a path toward licensure or certification to begin working as a health professional upon graduation and successful completion of licensing or certification exams. Clinical Programs have limited spaces and require a secondary application for admission. Admission into the following majors is selective and competitive. Students are Intended Majors unless admitted by the program via the secondary application process. Make sure to review the admissions criteria for your intended major before applying. These programs are lock-step and admit students once per year. Most programs start in the fall. Additional information regarding each major can be found below:

Pre-Clinical programs in the Ellmer College of Health Sciences provide a pathway for students interested in pursuing career paths that require a graduate degree + license/certification to practice in a clinical setting, such as in medicine, physical therapy, or speech language pathology.Ìý

The following programs in theÌýEllmer College of Health SciencesÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýCollege of SciencesÌýoffer students the opportunity to pursue a bachelor's degree with a health-related focus. Students gain practical skills through hands on learning and research opportunities. These programs prepare students for opportunities in both clinical and research-based settings.

Ellmer College of Health Sciences

The Exercise Science - Preventive/Rehabilitative Track prepares students for opportunities in biomechanics, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and health & wellness fields.

College of Sciences

Majors in theÌýCollegeÌýof SciencesÌýoffer students the opportunity to build a robust science foundation in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, psychology, and physics. Through hands-on learning and research opportunities, students gain the knowledge and skills needed for careers in education, research, health, technology, or as preparation for pursuing advanced studies including medical, dental, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary, and other professional health programs.

Joint School of Public Health

Majors in theÌýJoint School of Public Health,Ìýprepare students for careers in environmental health, occupational safety, health administration and management, behavioral health, health education and promotion, and public health in the community, including public health departments, the military, data analysis, and the health equity field. ÌýÌý

Students pursuing admission to most master's degree programs in the , Ellmer College of Health Sciences, and Joint School of Public Health can choose ANY undergraduate major as a path toward a graduate degree. Students pursuing admission to a graduate program in the Ellmer School of Nursing must complete a Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field before applying.

Ìý

The following programs are all Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs. For specific admission requirements for each program,Ìý

For working professionals seeking to advance their careers.Ìý

Students pursuing admission to graduate professional health programs like medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other professional programs, including the MD degree offered byÌýÌýand the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) in theÌýÌýcan choose ANY undergraduate majorÌýas a path toward a graduate degree. Students pursuing admission to a graduate program in theÌýEllmer School of NursingÌýmust complete a Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field before applying.Ìý

Ìý


The following programs are all Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs. For specific admission requirements for each program,ÌýÌý

Ìý

For working professionals seeking to advance their careers.

  • (must be a working physician assistant)

Connect with Your Advisor

Stay on target with your goals. Get help from our academic advisors.Ìý Many programs require specific prerequisites and may have a secondary application process. For students interested in pursuing careers that requireÌýa graduate degree, our expert advisors provide guidance to assure the prerequisites for the chosen career path are met, even if not explicitly listed among specific undergraduate major requirements.

Health Sciences Advising

Majors in the Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Ellmer School of Nursing, and Joint School of Public Health

Sciences Advising

Majors in the College of Sciences

Pre-Professional Health

Supports students pursuing graduate professional health programs regardless of major

Special Pathways

Learn about Early Admission Programs(EAP) and Guaranteed Entry Programs (GEP).