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Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions for Current Undergraduates

Eligibility & Application

The Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions offers a rigorous, structured curriculum designed to prepare students for admission to health professional schools and careers in healthcare fields such as allopathic medicine (MD), osteopathic medicine (DO), dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, and physical therapy. 

The program strengthens foundational knowledge through integrated coursework in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, emphasizing case-based learning to cultivate critical thinking. Students also develop essential interpersonal and professional skills through a Foundations of Clinical Practice course, while elective options allow them to address prerequisite gaps and prepare for standardized entrance exams such as the MCAT, GRE, DAT, and PCAT.

Eligibility Requirements for the Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions

Eligible applicants must be current UC San Diego undergraduates, with a declared major in one of the undergraduate degree programs offered by the School of Biological Sciences. Students must demonstrate excellent performance in upper-division biology core courses during their undergraduate program to be eligible to enroll in biology graduate core courses. Eligible applicants will be considered for admissions if they meet the following requirements:

  • 3.0 Cumulative UC San Diego GPA
  • 3.3 Upper Division Major GPA
  • Spring undergraduate degree completion date

All prospective students must submit a complete application to the BS/MS program by the stated deadline. Application instructions and deadlines are detailed below.

Admission to the Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions within the Contiguous BS/MS program is not guaranteed for any applicant and will be selective due to the limited capacity of this program. Admissions decisions are final.

Required Application Material

Prospective students must complete and submit an application before the stated deadline (located within "Application Link and Deadline"). The list below outlines required material that students must submit within their application to the Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions.

Required Application Material:

  1. PDF copy of an applicant's UC San Diego Academic History
  2. Statement of Purpose that addresses the following questions:
    1. What is your motivation for pursuing a career in health care?
    2. What experiences have you had in the health care field?
    3. What are your future career plans?
    4. Why are you interested in this program, and how will it help you achieve your career goals?
    5. Describe your approach to learning complex, challenging material.
    6. Optional: reflect on your performance in relevant upper division major courses (i.e. BIPN 100, BIPN 102, BIPN 103, BIPN 105, etc.). How did your experience in these courses prepare you for graduate level coursework?
  3. CV/Resume that reflects any relevant preparation you have for a health care profession.

Applicants are not required to report test scores (GRE, TOEFL, etc.)

Letters of recommendation are not required and will not be considered in the admission review.

Application Link and Deadline

Students interested in the Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions must submit a complete application by the stated deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Fall 2026 Application

Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions Application

Application Opens: April 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM PST

Application Deadline: May 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM PST (Noon)

Estimated Decision Release: June 2026

Prospective Specialization in Pathways to Health Professions students must review and follow the detailed application instructions when submitting the graduate studies application.

Only applicants with an expected undergraduate degree completion date of Spring 2026 (DDA term) will be considered for Fall 2026 admission.

Financial Costs & Support

Information on the costs of the BS/MS program and sources of financial support.

Learn more

Questions?
Current UCSD students: Please submit your questions via the VAC. An advisor will respond in 1-3 business days.
Drop-in Advising times are posted on the Advising Calendar.