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Preprofessional Track

Students following the pre-professional track will complete MLS required courses and additional courses required by professional schools. There are two curricula: Pre-Professional A (Pre-PA) for students planning to apply to Physician Assistants or Pathologists’ Assistant master’s-level two year programs and Pre-Professional B (Pre-Med) for students planning to apply to Medical (MD or DO), Dental, or Pharmacy school four year programs. Students following a Pre-Professional curriculum should not only consult with their Medical Laboratory Science advisor each semester but also with a Pre-Professional Advisor through the UACC located in Hood House, Rm 102, (603) 862-2064, premed.advising@unh.edu. For more information find them on the web at http://www.unh.edu/pre-med-advising.

Pre-Professional A (Pre-PA): Students must complete additional courses including:

Physician Assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, they conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. The average master’s level program curriculum is approximately 26 months.

Students interested in Physician Assistants programs should consult the American Association of Physician Assistants web site, http://www.AAPA.org to research the requirements of specific programs. Additionally many Physician Assistants programs expect applicants to have had significant hands-on health care experience. Expectations range from 500 to 2,000 hours of experience. Many MLS students get this hands-on health care experience by completing the phlebotomy theory course (MLS 640) and internship (MLS 641) and then obtaining a position as a phlebotomist at one of the local area hospitals.

Pathologists’ Assistants are intensively trained health professionals who provide anatomic pathology services under the direction and supervision of a pathologist. Pathologists’ Assistants interact with pathologists in the same manner that physician assistants carry out their duties under the direction of physicians. Pathologists’ Assistants can do all work leading up to but not including diagnosis. Pathologists’ assistants are qualified to do complex surgical resections, autopsies, and clinical summary.

Student interested in Pathologists’ Assistant programs should consult the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants web site, http://www.pathologistsassistants.org. There are currently 7 master’s-level programs in the United States with an average program curriculum of approximately 2 years.

Pre-Professional B (Pre-Med): Students must complete additional courses including:

Note: Advanced Placement credit, though accepted by UNH, is generally not accepted by medical schools. If you have placed out of any courses, you will need additional upper level courses in that subject area at the college level.