Pre-Health Advising

Preparing you for the science and the service of dentistry

Students in Creighton’s pre-dental pathway are guided through a process of exploration and preparation as they consider a calling to dentistry. Through dedicated advising and engagement beyond the classroom, they gain a clear understanding of the profession, reflect on their strengths and goals, and begin developing the knowledge and skills needed to care for patients with competence and compassion.

As they advance, students focus on strengthening their candidacy through clinical exposure, service, mentorship and intentional professional development. This holistic approach integrates academic success with real-world experience, preparing them to apply confidently to dental school and to enter the field ready to serve the health of individuals and communities. Students interested in dentistry will take part in the guided pathway outlined below.

Freshman Year: Explore

In their first year, students take part in the online Pre-Health Information Community. Through the group, the Center for Advising Resources and Support will keep students informed of pre-health activities, events and resources. The goal of the Pre-Health Information Community is to assist students in exploring their pre-health options.

Sophomore Year: Experience

During their second year, students will participate in a 0-credit Pre-Health Seminar. Through required online modules and a small number of in-person sessions, the Center for Advising Resources and Support guides students through the process of gaining experience in the health career fields. Emphasis is placed on both academic and co-curricular expectations for professional health programs.

Junior or Senior Year: Apply

The Pre-Dental Education Seminar is for students who are within their application cycle for dental school. The seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application to ADDSAS.

Forming Physicians Who Care for the Whole Person

Our pre-medicine pathway students are supported from their first year as they explore the vocation of medicine and what it means to live the Jesuit value cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Through individualized advising, community engagement and exposure to healthcare environments, students explore their path while developing the intellectual curiosity, ethical grounding and commitment to service that define strong future physicians.

As they progress, students intentionally build the experiences and competencies expected by medical schools by engaging in clinical settings, service opportunities, leadership and mentorship. This integrated approach helps them connect academic learning with real-world impact, preparing them to navigate the application process with confidence and to enter medical education ready to serve patients and communities with skill and compassion.

Freshman Year: Explore

In their first year, students take part in the online Pre-Health Information Community. Through the group, the Center for Advising Resources and Support will keep students informed of pre-health activities, events and resources. The goal of the Pre-Health Information Community is to assist students in exploring their pre-health options.

Sophomore Year: Experience

During their second year, students will participate in a 0-credit Pre-Health Seminar. Through required online modules and a small number of in-person sessions, the Center for Advising Resources and Support guides students through the process of gaining experience in the health career fields. Emphasis is placed on both academic and co-curricular expectations for professional health programs.

Junior or Senior Year: Apply

The Pre-Medical Education Seminar is for students who are within their application cycle for medical school. The seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application to AMCAS.

A Flexible Pathway to a Dynamic Healthcare Profession

Students in the pre-pharmacy pathway at Creighton University are introduced to the vital role pharmacists play within today’s healthcare teams and communities. With guidance from dedicated advisors, they explore how scientific knowledge, compassionate service and patient education intersect while developing skills in critical thinking, communication and ethical decision-making. Early engagement allows students to decide whether pharmacy aligns with their interests and long-term professional goals.

Students moving through the program focus on preparing for the next step through hands-on experiences, interprofessional collaboration and intentional academic planning. This pathway supports multiple timelines to application, allowing students to pursue professional study as soon as they are ready while building the competencies and confidence needed to succeed in pharmacy school and in a collaborative healthcare environment.

Optional:

The Pre-Health Information Community is for first-year pre-health students to keep them informed about pre-professional preparation, events or presentation, resources and advising opportunities.

Freshman Year: Explore

The Pre-Pharmacy Learning Community is for all first-year pre-pharmacy students to explore the pharmacy profession. Emphasis is placed on academic and co-curricular preparation as well as inter-professional awareness and discernment.

Sophomore Year: Apply

The Pre-Pharmacy Education Seminar is for students who are in their application cycle for pharmacy school. The seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application.

With the option to start a Pharmacy or Occupational Therapy professional program after two years of undergraduate study, Pre-Occupational and Pre-Pharmacy students should consult with the Center for Advising Resources and Support before registering for a community to ensure they are on track for their application timeline.

Discover a Profession Centered on Whole-Person Wellbeing

Students explore how meaningful activity supports health, independence and quality of life on the pre-occupational therapy pathway. Through personalized advising and early exposure to the profession, they learn how occupational therapists help individuals of all ages engage in daily living, recover from injury and adapt to physical or cognitive challenges. This pathway encourages students to reflect on their strengths and develop empathy to determine how they are called to serve others through therapeutic practice.

Advancing through the pathway, students prepare for professional study by gaining observation experiences, cultivating interprofessional collaboration, and building a strong academic and service profile. Flexible timelines allow qualified students to pursue early application while ensuring they are well prepared for the rigor of occupational therapy programs and for collaborative, patient-centered care.

Optional:

The Pre-Health Information Community is for first-year pre-health students to keep them informed about pre-professional preparation, events or presentation, resources and advising opportunities.

Freshman Year: Explore

The Pre-Occupational Therapy Learning Community is for all first-year pre-occupational Therapy students to explore the Occupational Therapy profession. Emphasis is placed on academic and co-curricular preparation as well as inter-professional awareness and discernment.

Sophomore Year: Apply

The Pre-Occupational Therapy Education Seminar is for students who are in their application cycle for occupational Therapy school. The seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application.

With the option to start a Pharmacy or Occupational Therapy professional program after two years of undergraduate study, Pre-Occupational and Pre-Pharmacy students should consult with the Center for Advising Resources and Support before registering for a community to ensure they are on track for their application timeline.

Strengthening Your Candidacy through Experience and Service

In Creighton’s pre-physician assistant pathway, students explore a profession grounded in collaboration, clinical excellence and compassionate patient care. Through individualized advising and early exposure to varied healthcare environments, they gain insight into the diverse roles physician assistants play on medical teams while developing strong communication, critical-thinking and service-oriented skills. This pathway encourages students to discern how their interests and talents align with a fast-paced, patient-centered career.

As they advance, students prepare for professional school with intention, building meaningful healthcare experiences, engaging in service and strengthening the academic and personal competencies expected of competitive applicants. By integrating classroom learning with real-world practice, the pathway equips students to navigate the application process confidently and to enter PA education ready to contribute as collaborative, adaptable healthcare professionals.

Freshman Year: Explore

In their first year, students take part in the online Pre-Health Information Community. Through the group, the Center for Advising Resources and Support will keep students informed of pre-health activities, events and resources. The goal of the Pre-Health Information Community is to assist students in exploring their pre-health options.

Sophomore Year: Experience

During their second year, students will participate in a 0-credit Pre-Health Seminar. Through required online modules and a small number of in-person sessions, the Center for Advising Resources and Support guides students through the process of gaining experience in the health career fields. Emphasis is placed on both academic and co-curricular expectations for professional health programs.

Junior or Senior Year: Apply

The Pre-Physician Assistant Education Seminar is for students who are within their application cycle for PA school. The seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application to CASPA.

A Clear Path to a Career in Optometry

Students interested in a career in optometry follow the pre-med pathway. They are supported from their first year as they explore the optometry profession and its vital role in promoting lifelong vision and health. Through individualized advising, community engagement and exposure to clinical environments, students discern their path while developing the scientific knowledge, ethical foundation and attention to detail essential for caring for patients’ visual wellbeing.

Students build the experiences and competencies expected by optometry programs, engaging in observation, service, mentorship and professional development. This integrated approach connects academic preparation with real-world application, helping students navigate the application process with confidence and preparing them to enter optometric education ready to enhance patients’ quality of life through compassionate, specialized care.

Equipping Future Veterinarians for Lifelong Impact

Students wishing to pursue a career in veterinary medicine follow Creighton’s pre-med pathway and are supported as they explore careers dedicated to animal health and welfare and the connection between human and veterinary medicine. Through individualized advising, experiential learning and engagement with professionals in the field, students can decide their path while developing the scientific knowledge, compassion and ethical awareness essential to caring for animals and serving the communities that depend on them.

Students intentionally build the experiences and competencies expected by veterinary programs, gaining exposure to animal care settings, participating in service and cultivating strong problem-solving and observational skills. This integrated approach connects academic preparation with hands-on experience, helping students prepare competitive applications and enter veterinary education ready to promote the health of animals.