Pre-Health Certificate

Coordinator: Kenneth Miller
Email: miller_k@fortlewis.edu

Affiliated Faculty:
Professors: Shere Byrd
Associate Professors: David Blake, Steve Fenster, Jennifer Lowell, Kenny Miller
Assistant Professors: Caroline Kulesza, Aimee Morris

The certificate programs consist of a specified set of academic courses that focus on a specific topic, representing a coherent and relatively free standing body of knowledge. Successful completion of a certificate signifies the achievement of competence in the specified domain and is recognized by the awarding of a certificate (an official document) from the sponsoring department or program. Completion of certificate programs approved by the College will also be noted on the official student transcript.

Description of Certificate

Are you considering going to medical, dental or nursing school? If the answer is yes, then this certificate will help guide your studies at Fort Lewis College. While each individual will “get ready” for their career by following different timelines and pathways, here is an outline of what you should be thinking about and possibly doing during your preparation for a health-related career or profession. You should start preparing in academics, public service, research, work in the medical profession, and personal leadership.

The Fort Lewis College Pre-Health Certificate Program

Students who are seeking the Pre-Health Certificate should declare their intention using Change or Declaration form.  At the same time, students interested in pursuing a career associated with health should discuss their academic plans with their advisors and faculty mentors. Fort Lewis College has a wide variety of courses that fulfill the pre-requisite coursework requirements for training programs in many different health professions including medicine, physician assistant, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and physical therapy.  The college can work with each student to customize their education to meet criteria for admission to many different professional schools.  We also have a faculty Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee which is available to provide a number of services to students.

For more information, students should contact the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee through its Chair, Dr. Shere Byrd.

Requirements for Certificate Students

A minimum “C” grade must be earned in each course applied toward the certificate program.
All coursework must be in graded courses. Pass/fail work will not be accepted toward certificate requirements.
At least 50% of the coursework toward the certificate must be earned at Fort Lewis College.
Students must matriculated through the Office of Admission as a credential seeking student.
Certificate coursework may also be applied in fulfillment of requirements for departmental majors or minors.
Courses taken prior to admission to the certificate program can be counted toward the certificate only with the program director’s specific approval.
Certificates will not be awarded to individuals who have completed all of the coursework prior to admission to the certificate program.