Pre-Medicine Programs at SFU

(Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Veterinary)

The Pre-Medicine Concentration is designed for students intending to pursue medical careers. Students choose this concentration to gain the experience and guidance toward a medical career while choosing to major in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Exercise Physiology, Public Health, or any other major by meeting the minimum pre-requisites (one year each of biology, inorganic or general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics through calculus). Students in a Pre-Medicine Concentration will be guided by the Pre-Medicine Coordinator (the Chair of Biology or her/his designee), who is a member of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. The Coordinator will act as a co-advisor to assist students seeking admission to medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary schools. Pre-Medicine students will gain practical experience, typically through shadowing, before the second semester of their junior year and prepare for the entrance exam required of applicants in their field. The Saint Francis University Pre-Medicine program emphasizes attentive faculty support and advising of students, rigorous academic preparation, undergraduate research opportunities that expand student skillsets and set them apart. As a result, graduates of the program have successfully completed their medical programs and moved into careers as dentists, optometrists, physicians, psychiatrists, surgeons, veterinarians, and other medical professions.

(Podiatric Science)

Podiatrists are doctors restricted in their practice to care and treatment of the feet and lower extremities. By agreement with the Pennsylvania University of Podiatric Medicine, qualified students may shorten their normal eight-year program in podiatry to seven years by admission to the Pennsylvania University of Podiatric Medicine after only three years at Saint Francis University. Students majoring in Podiatric Science receive their Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Francis University after successful completion of their first year at the Pennsylvania University of Podiatric Medicine.