Pre-Health and Pre-Medicine Professional Path
Pepperdine University offers outstanding pre-health curricula for students who plan to apply for admission to professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nursing.
Many of these areas, such as medicine and dentistry, have a similar set of requirements for admission whereas physical therapy and physician assistant, for instance, do not. The required courses for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine are listed on this website.
In order to determine the courses needed for professional schools other than medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine, individual lists of required courses should be obtained from the schools of interest.
The pre-health curriculum at Pepperdine does not constitute a degree program, but is simply a list of courses that must be taken for any student interested in a career in healthcare. Although most students choose to major in biology, chemistry, and sports medicine, students can choose any major on campus and take the pre-health curriculum at the same time.
Pre-Health and Pre-Medicine Curriculum
As 95 percent of the pre-health students at Pepperdine are pre-medicine, most of the information on this website is tailored towards pre-medicine curriculum and careers in medicine.
Pepperdine University provides a wide range of services to current students, as well as those who have already graduated. Cecile Santos, the pre-health advisor, is available for advising and writing committee letters of recommendation for medical school applicants. Letters of recommendation will be stored electronically using the letter management system, PrivateFolio
The opportunities for pre-health students on campus are endless. There are several pre-health clubs to join, including pre-medicine club, pre-dental club, and biology and chemistry clubs. Additionally, there are many pre-health speakers who address a wide variety of topics throughout the year, international programs during both the academic year and summer with health professional opportunities.
As a way for students to serve local communities and find exceptional clinical experience, a list of relevant pre-medicine volunteer opportunities can readily be found in the Volunteer Handout above. There are employment, shadowing, internship and volunteer opportunities on this handout some in other areas besides pre-med.
Undergraduates have the unique option to pursue research directly with professors at Pepperdine, as well as present and publish their work. Seaver College professors and the supportive staff in the Natural Science office and Career Center provide helpful programs and advice to enable students to find their passion and pursue it at a high level of excellence.
Pre-Health and Pre-Medicine Students
Current Students in Program
Attend Medical School After Graduation
Pre-Med Acceptance Rates
Upcoming Events
Register for the events below, and more, on Handshake.
Why Pepperdine
Pepperdine Seaver College is consistently recognized among the top-ranked universities in California and the United States. We are a Christian university where students grow in knowledge and character. As a liberal arts institution, we focus on providing rich opportunities for intellectual and spiritual exploration for students with a diverse community.
Located in Malibu, CA
13:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
80% of Students Participate in an International Program
120,000 + Alumni Network
Contact Us
Natural Science Division
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Office: RAC 106
Joe Fritsch
Divisional Dean & Professor of Chemistry
Stephanie Adler
Office Manager
Sunni De Lano
Director, NSCP-ISPP
Daphne Green
Lab Manager
Patricia Scopinich
Administrative Assistant