Pre-Health Advising

Explore Your Calling to Medicine

Creighton’s pre-medicine pathway helps students prepare thoughtfully for medical school while exploring the kind of physician they hope to become. Beginning in the first year, students receive personalized guidance. Throughout their time at Creighton, they develop a strong academic foundation while considering how Jesuit values such as cura personalis, care for the whole person, can shape their approach to medicine.

Preparation becomes increasingly hands-on as students move through their undergraduate experience. Clinical exposure, leadership, service and mentoring opportunities help students strengthen the skills and experiences medical schools look for while putting classroom learning into practice. With advising and support throughout the process, students are equipped to approach medical school applications with a clear sense of purpose and enter their next stage of training prepared to care for patients and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

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.

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.

Stay in the Know

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.

Explore

Starting their first semester, students can enroll in a 0-credit Exploring Pre-Health advising seminar, designed to help all first-year pre-occupational therapy students explore pre-health professions and find ways to gain experience. Emphasis is placed on academic and co-curricular preparation as well as interprofessional awareness and discernment. 

Apply

As students prepare to begin their application cycle for occupational therapy school, they can enroll in a 0-credit Applying to Professional School advising seminar. This seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application. 

Looking for a major that complements your pre-occupational therapy goals? Creighton's Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Studies is a popular choice for students preparing for occupational therapy school. Explore the Interdisciplinary Health Studies program to learn more.

With the option to start a Pharmacy or Occupational Therapy professional program after two years of undergraduate study, Pre-Occupational Therapy 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.

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 helps students learn how pharmacy can align 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.

Stay in the Know

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.

Explore

Starting their first semester, students can enroll in a 0-credit Exploring Pre-Health advising seminar, designed to help all first-year pre-pharmacy students explore pre-health professions and find ways to gain experience. Emphasis is placed on academic and co-curricular preparation as well as interprofessional awareness and discernment. 

Apply

As students prepare to begin their application cycle for pharmacy school, they can enroll in a 0-credit Applying to Professional School advising seminar. This seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application.

Looking for a major that complements your pre-pharmacy goals? Creighton's Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Studies is a popular choice for students preparing for pharmacy school. Explore the Interdisciplinary Health Studies program to learn more.

With the option to start a Pharmacy or Occupational Therapy professional program after two years of undergraduate study, Pre-Occupational Therapy 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.

Making a Lasting Impact Through Movement and Rehabilitation

In Creighton’s pre-physical therapy pathway, students explore how movement, rehabilitation and preventive care restore function and improve quality of life. With guidance from experienced advisors, they gain insight into the role of physical therapists across clinical and community settings while developing a strong foundation in scientific reasoning, communication and compassionate patient interaction. Early exploration helps students discern their fit for a profession centered on helping others regain strength, mobility and confidence. 

Students build a competitive application through observation experiences, service and varied professional development opportunities. Emphasis is placed on connecting academic preparation with real-world practice, fostering the collaboration and problem-solving skills essential for success in physical therapy programs and in patient-centered care. 

Stay in the Know

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.

Explore 

Starting their first semester, students can enroll in a 0-credit Exploring Pre-Health advising seminar, designed to help all first-year pre-physical therapy students explore pre-health professions and find ways to gain experience. Emphasis is placed on academic and co-curricular preparation as well as interprofessional awareness and discernment.  

Apply 

As students prepare to begin their application cycle for physical therapy school, they can enroll in a 0-credit Applying to Professional School advising seminar. This seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application. 

Looking for a major that complements your pre-physical therapy goals? Creighton's Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Studies is a popular choice for students preparing for PT school. Explore the Interdisciplinary Health Studies program to learn more.

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.

The Center for Advising Resources and Support offers specialized guidance for pre-health students in additional professional tracks, including:

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.

Veterinary Medicine

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.

Podiatry

Students wishing to pursue a career in podiatry follow Creighton’s pre-med pathway and are supported as they explore careers dedicated to specialized physical health and direct patient care. Through individualized advising, firsthand experience, and intentional reflection, students explore the profession while developing the scientific knowledge, interpersonal skills, and interprofessional collaboration to succeed in the healthcare field.

Anesthesiology Assistant

Students wishing to pursue a career as a certified anesthesiology assistant (CAA) follow Creighton’s pre-med pathway and are prepared to become a part of collaborative, fast-paced medical care teams. Through individualized advising, an integrated undergraduate curriculum, and opportunities for healthcare experience, students are prepared to develop comprehensive applications for CAA programs as well as strong interpersonal skills for professional competency.

Genetic Counseling

Students wishing to pursue a career as a genetic counselor follow Creighton’s pre-med pathway and are prepared for a science-based, human-centered career. Through individualized advising, rigorous scientific training, and guidance on opportunities for firsthand experience in the field, students are prepared as competent, compassionate candidates for graduate programs in genetic counseling.

Students in any of these pre-health paths can gain experience through the following pre-health seminars:

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 professional school—often medical school, but the content is applicable to additional healthcare specialties, too. The seminar focuses on the needs of Creighton students as they prepare to submit their application.