Many biology students are interested in preparing for careers in the medical, dental, or other health fields. In fact, on average, almost 72 percent of our graduating majors go on to graduate or professional school. See After the Mount...

The biology department has many programs designed to assist students in achieving these goals.

Health Professions Advisory Committe 

Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity 

Prep for Medicine, Dentistry, & More 

Cooperative  Program NYU College of Dentistry 

Cooperative Program with the New York College of PodoaTric Medicine 

Cooperative Program with the State University of New York (SUNY) State College of Optometry 

Prepartion for Physical Therapy

Prepartion for Occupational Therapy

HEALTH PROFESSIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Health Professions Advisory Committee is a counseling body of faculty members established to give guidance to students who are interested in preparing for medical, dental, or allied health careers. The committee attempts to make the preprofessional student aware of the qualifications essential for admission to professional school, and to direct the student to choose a program of studies that will furnish him or her not only with specialized preprofessional courses in science, but also with a broad liberal arts education that will provide ample preparation for active and creative participation in the spiritual and intellectual needs of the human community. For additional information, contact Elana Fishman elana.fishman@mountsaintvincent.edu.

PHI DELTA EPSILON INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL FRATERNITY
Phi Delta Epsilon assists undergraduate preprofessional students in making informed decisions when seeking careers in the health professions, conducts discussions with local health care professionals and current professional school students, holds regional and international conventions, and helps develop community service programs. Phi Delta Epsilon is the largest and only medical fraternity of students and practicing physicians. It is active on more than 40 medical school campuses. Interested applicants must be entering their sophomore year and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

PREPARATION FOR MEDICINE, DENTISTRY & More
Various science curricula offer a four-year program of study designed to meet the requirements of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Dental Association for admission to accredited medical, dental, pediatric, and optometry schools and other professional associations in the health field. These programs offer specialized preprofessional courses in science and, at the same time, provide a broad liberal arts education and training. The College has cooperative programs with the New York University College of Dentistry, the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, and the State University College of Optometry.

In view of the limited number of students accepted by professional schools and their high standards of admission, preprofessional students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0. To qualify for medical or dental recommendation, a student should have received credit for Biology 111–112, 113–114; Chemistry 101–102, 319–320, 323–324; and Physics 107–108.

CO-OP PROGRAM WITH THE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
Mount Saint Vincent and the New York University College of Dentistry sponsor a joint articulation program in dental education. Interested students must apply early in the fall semester of their junior year. An index of at least 3.0 or higher for all science courses and an acceptable score on the DAT are required. The curriculum of the combined B.S./D.D.S. program requires completion of at least 98 credits at Mount Saint Vincent. Upon successful completion of the first year of study at the College of Dentistry, the B.S. degree will be awarded by Mount Saint Vincent. The D.D.S. degree will be awarded upon completion of the seventh year of study by the New York University College of Dentistry. Final admission to the program resides with the Office of Enrollment Services of the College of Dentistry.

COOPERATIVE PROGRAM WITH THE NEW YORK COLLEGE OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE
Mount Saint Vincent and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine sponsor a joint articulation program in podiatric education. Interested students must apply early in the fall semester of their junior year and must take the MCAT in April of their junior year. An index of 3.2 at Mount Saint Vincent and an acceptable MCAT score are required. The curriculum of the combined B.S./D.P.M. program requires the completion of at least 98 credits at Mount Saint Vincent. Upon successful completion of the first two years of study at NYCOPM, the B.S. degree will be awarded by Mount Saint Vincent. The D.P.M. degree will be awarded upon completion of the seventh year of study at NYCOPM. Final admission to the program resides with the admissions office of the New York College of Podriatric Medicine.

COOPERATIVE PROGRAM WITH THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (SUNY) STATE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
Mount Saint Vincent and the SUNY State College of Optometry sponsor both a joint degree affiliation agreement and an early assurance program agreement for students interested in pursuing the field of optometry. Students interested in the joint degree affiliation program must apply early in the fall semester of their junior year and must take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) in the spring of their junior year. An index of 3.2 at Mount Saint Vincent and an acceptable OAT score are required. The curriculum of the combined B.S./O.D. program requires the completion of at least 98 credits at the College of Mount Saint Vincent with no science or math grade below a 2.0. Upon successful completion of the first year at SUNY State College of Optometry, the B.S. degree will be awarded by the College of Mount Saint Vincent. The O.D. degree will be awarded upon completion of the seventh year of study at SUNY State College of Optometry. Final admission to the program resides with the Office of Student Affairs at the SUNY State College of Optometry.

Students interested in the early assurance program apply by the end of their sophomore year with a minimum of 60 college credits, and must have completed at least 70 percent of the prerequisite science and math courses. Following submission of all appropriate application materials, interviews will be conducted by SUNY State College of Optometry, and candidates will be notified in writing of their status by August 31. If accepted, a minimum 3.2 overall grade point average and a minimum 3.2 in science and math must be maintained during the student’s final two years at Mount Saint Vincent. In addition, by February of senior year, the student must take the OAT and attain a minimum science score of 320.

PREPARATION FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
Mount Saint Vincent has a cooperative 3–3 arrangement with New York Medical College, which enables students to earn their bachelor’s degree plus a doctoral degree in physical therapy after six years of study. Students who meet the New York Medical College criteria for admission to this physical therapy program will spend the first three years of study at the College and the final three years at New York Medical College at Valhalla, New York. Students should request additional information from the biology chair. Final admission to the program resides with the admissions office of New York Medical College.

PREPARATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Mount Saint Vincent has a cooperative 3–2 arrangement with the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, which enables students to earn a B.S. degree in biology, psychology, or health education, and an M.S. degree in occupational therapy after five years of study. Students who meet the Columbia University criteria for admission to the occupational therapy program will spend the first three years of study at Mount Saint Vincent and the final two years at Columbia. For additional information, students should request the occupational therapy brochure from the admission office.