Program Requirements

Medical and other health-related graduate schools increasingly accept applicants with a wide variety of majors. At St. John’s, you can choose from any number of high-quality majors, from philosophy to biology.

However, pre-health students must complete certain course requirements to qualify for admission to most health professional schools. There are some variations in specific fields, but the following are the most common.

  • One year of biology with labs:
    For biology majors, BIO 1000 and 2000
    For non-biology majors, BIO 2000 and 3000
  • Chemistry 1210 and 1220, with labs
  • Chemistry 2230 and 2240, with labs
    The chemistry sequence is modified for Pharmacy students
  • Physics 1610 and 1620, with labs
  • College mathematics through calculus
  • English (fulfilled automatically by St. John’s core requirements)

You also can apply for the following dual degree programs combining an undergraduate degree at St. John’s with a medical degree in a specialized field: 

  • Seven-year, B.S.-O.D. Degree with SUNY College of Optometry:Graduate in seven years with a B.S. degree in biology from St. John’s and an O.D. degree from the SUNY College of Optometry. Accepted students attend St. John’s for their first three years, majoring in biology. Upon successfully completing the first year of study at SUNY Optometry, you are awarded a B.S. in biology from St. John’s, followed by the O.D. degree when you complete your full studies at the SUNY College of Optometry.
  • Seven-year B.S.-D.P.M. Degree with New York College of Podiatric Medicine:Graduate in seven years with a B.S. in biology and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. After your first three years at St. John’s, you receive the B.S. in biology at the end of your first year at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and, at the completion of your studies at the College of Podiatric medicine, your D.P.M.
  • Five-year B.S.-M.S. Degree at St. John’s University:You can complete both a B.S. and M.S. in either biology or chemistry through five years of study at St. John’s. Students receive the B.S. in biology or chemistry at the end of the fourth year, and the M.S. at the end of their fifth year. The program is ideal for students interested in research careers in science and the health professions.