A minor in Public Health is useful to any student considering a career in medicine, health care or the health sciences. Seven courses are required for the Public Health minor:

• PUBH 101 Foundations of Public Health (3 credits)
• PUBH 201 Environmental Health (3 credits)
• PUBH 211 Global Health (3 credits)
• STAT 137 Biostatistics (3 credits)
• PUBH 260 Principles of Epidemiology I (3 credits)

Chiropractic Doctors
The broad liberal arts offerings at Mercyhurst University provide excellent opportunities to explore the principles associated with preparing students for entry into Chriopractic School. Chiropractors are licensed physicians trained to use manipulative techniques to properly align the spinal column, improving patients' overall health. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform surgery, but they do counsel patients on the importance of nutrition, exercise, and stress management with the goal of helping their patients implement healthy lifestyle choices.

Preparation
While students often enter Mercyhurst as a Biology major to fulfill requirements for entrance into Chiropractic School, other majors may also be chosen to fulfill the requirements in consultation with the Pre-Health Advisor.

The Mercyhurst Advantage
Laboratory sections taught at Mercyhurst are always small (less than 22 students) and always taught by professors, giving students the benefit of a personalized education. These labs also provide opportunities for hands-on manipulation and dissection of organisms, skills that are very practical in the highly technical field of chiropractic medicine.

Dentists
Our newly renovated Anatomy Lab and faculty specializing in anatomy instruction and research provide an optimal training group to prepare students for entrance into Dental School. Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth and educate their patients on how to maintain oral health to help with the prevention of diseases.

Preparation
Students generally fulfill requirements for entrance into Dental School by completing requirements of a Biology major, but they may choose other majors under the guidance of the Pre-Health Advisor at the Mercyhurst.

The Mercyhurst Advantage
Mercyhurst offers regular standardized test review and focus groups so our students can gauge their level of preparedness for this difficult specialty from the very beginning of their educational training.

Medical Doctor
Mercyhurst's Pre-Medical Program prepares students for entrance into medical school to become allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) physicians. Both physicians are fully qualified and licensed to prescribe medication, perform surgery, and have the option to practice in specialty areas

Preparation
Most students choose to meet medical school admissions requirements as a Biology major, but Sports Medicine, Biochemistry, or other majors, in consultation with the Mercyhurst Pre-Health Advisor, can also fill requirements for successful transition into Medical School.

The Mercyhurst Advantage
Our potent combination of academics, advising, research, and volunteer opportunities have led to great success in placing students in top Medical Schools across the country, including Penn State and George Washington University in the past two years alone. Additionally, our personal interactions with students have made them eligibile for special awards and fellowships offered to only a few across the country.

Optometrists
Mercyhurst University prepares students for entrance into Optometry School by offering a powerful combination of representative coursework and laboratory training. Doctors of Optometry are licensed to administer medications to treat eye diseases and prescribe eyeglasses or contacts for correcting impaired vision.

Preparation
Students will take classes and labs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and other disciplines to form the broad knowledge base required for entrance into Optometry School. Student typically enter the Pre-Optometry program as a Biology major, but can enter as a different major in consultation with the Pre-Health Advisor at Mercyhurst.

The Mercyhurst Advantage
Our flexible schedule allows students to complete requirements for entrance into highly competitive Schools of Optometry while at the same time exploring other interests.

Mercyhurst University and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Medicine have an affiliation agreement that pledges our commitment to the training of future medical practitioners by giving students the opportunity to complete their medical education in two phases. Phase I consists of three years of undergraduate and pre-med education at Mercyhurst University, and Phase II consists of four years of medical education at LECOM School of Medicine. In consultation with an advisor, a program of study that follows the guidelines stipulated in the plan of agreement will be created.

A separate application is needed to apply to this program prior to entering the school. This application should be mailed electronically to Dr. Michael Elnitsky, Pre-Health Advisor, at melnitsky@mercyhurst.edu, at the time of submission of the regular application to the University. Notification of acceptance into the program will be given near the time of regular acceptance into the University.

Pharmacists
This is one of our most successful programs. The preparation students receive in the sciences and liberal arts combined with the hands-on experience gained in our laboratories provides outstanding preparation for students applying to Pharmacy School. Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs and advise patients, physicians, and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. In addition, they monitor the progress of patients to ensure that the medication is safe and effective. However, some pharmacists are pursuing other career options in areas including research, marketing, the health insurance industry, public health care services, armed forces, and teaching in collegiate institutions.

Preparation
Students can complete required coursework for entrance into Pharmacy School as a Biology, Biochemistry, or other major in consultation with the Pre-Health Advisor at the Mercyhurst. Several volunteer experiences, clubs, and focus groups are also available to enhance preparation and experience.

The Mercyhurst Advantage
One particular indicator of Mercyhurst's success in this area is that we sent eight students to various pharmacy schools throughout the country last year alone. Additionally, our affiliation with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) provides opportunities for accelerated completion of a degree in pharmacy.

Physician Assistants
This is without a doubt our fastest growing area of interest within the pre-health sciences at Mercyhurst. Our educational philosophies and representative coursework provide excellent opportunities for students interested in preparing for admission into Physician Assistant school. Physician Assistants provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health care services under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Students planning on entering the Physician Assistant field will enjoy both challenges and flexibility in work schedules the profession offers in comparison to other demanding fields of study in the health sciences.

Preparation
Students will usually meet the requirements for admittance into Physician Assistant School as a Biology major, but may also choose another major of study in consultation with the Pre-Health Advisor at Mercyhurst.

The Mercyhurst Advantage
The volunteer opportunities available at Mercyhurst University and within the Erie community present a great variety of ways in which a student could fulfill shadowing requirements or engage in other relevant field experiences in preparation for applying to Physician Assistant school.

Podiatrists
Representative coursework in the sciences in conjunction with Mercyhurst's hallmark liberal arts education prepares students for entrance into Podiatry School. Doctors of podiatric medicine are licensed and specialized in diagnosing and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Podiatrists prescribe medication and physical therapy, set fractures, and perform surgery to improve their patients' health.

Preparation
Most students at Mercyhurst University meet requirements for entry into Podiatry School as a Biology major, but majors in Sports Medicine or other disciplines can also fulfill requirements in consultation with the Pre-Health Advisor.

The Mercyhurst Advantage
Each year our seminar series brings in speakers from Podiatry Schools to give our students one-on-one interactions, helping them learn more about the profession and the path towards becoming podiatrists.

Veterinarians
Mercyhurst University offers a unique combination of courses and animal-based exposure to prepare students for entry into Veterinary School. Veterinarians are medical professionals who contribute to the healthcare and well-being of animals. They also make contributions is the areas of human public health, medical research, and public safety.

Preparation
Students who major in Biology, Forensic Science, or related disciplines complete representative coursework that prepare them for entry into the Veterinary Sciences. While completing their coursework, students are also able to gain exposure to the veterinary field through research and volunteer opportunities.