Pre-Health Professional Programs

Most students enrolling at St. Mary’s University who are interested in pursuing health care careers choose to major in Biology. Students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, chiropractic, podiatry, veterinary medicine or allied health professions may pursue those careers with a degree from St. Mary’s.

Students may apply for admission to a number of different cooperative partnership programs. Partnerships exist between St. Mary’s and professional schools, including UT Health San Antonio, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and School of Public Health in San Antonio. The following fields of study are included: dentistry, medicine and public health.

medical
Dental
Allied Health
Other

Early Acceptance Programs: Medical School

Joint Admission Medical Program

The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is a special program created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged Texas resident students pursuing a medical education. Funded through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, JAMP is a unique partnership between multiple Texas medical schools and 65 public and private four-year undergraduate institutions. St. Mary’s is one such private institution.

Students accepted into JAMP are assured admission into one of 13 medical schools in Texas provided they meet requirements of the program while completing their undergraduate education. JAMP students also participate in two rigorous summer internships provided by JAMP to prepare for the MCAT exam and success in medical school.

Students interested in JAMP are encouraged to:

  • Engage in clinical experiences to gain exposure to the medical field and develop a knowledge of current clinical procedures
  • Demonstrate a commitment to improving the community and helping those in need by  participating in community service
  • Build relationships with faculty members
  • Take advantage of services offered at the St. Mary’s Career and Professional Development Center to sharpen their interview skills and polish their résumé

Baylor College of Medicine Early Acceptance

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s University has partnered with Baylor College of Medicine to offer St. Mary’s students the opportunity to gain early acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine during their second year of undergraduate study at St. Mary’s.

Students complete a four-year degree plan at St. Mary’s. If GPA and other requirements are met during their studies at St. Mary’s, students are provisionally accepted into Baylor College of Medicine.

Father Jim Tobin Saint Louis University Pre-Medical Scholars Program

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s University has partnered with the Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine to offer the Father Jim Tobin SLU Pre-Medical Scholars Program. The program allows St. Mary’s students to gain early acceptance to the SLU School of Medicine during their second year of undergraduate study at St. Mary’s.

Students complete a four-year degree plan majoring in either Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, Engineering with a Pre-Med Concentration, or Psychology. If GPA and other requirements are met during their studies at St. Mary’s, students are provisionally accepted into the SLU School of Medicine.

To be eligible, students must:

  • Apply during their sophomore year of study at St. Mary’s.
  • Earn at least a 3.65 GPA math/science and a 3.65 overall GPA at St. Mary’s.
  • Have a SAT score of at least 1170 and/or ACT score of at least 26.
  • Demonstrate in a personal statement an understanding of and commitment to a career in medicine.
  • Maintain a minimum of 14 credit hours per semester and 28 credit hours per year.
  • Complete SLU’s medical school prerequisites prior to matriculation. All math and science courses must be taken at St. Mary’s University.

LECOM Osteopathic Medicine Early Acceptance Program

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s University has partnered with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) to offer the Osteopathic Medicine Early Acceptance Program (OMEAP). This program allows St. Mary’s students to gain a provisional letter of acceptance into LECOM.

OMEAP students will follow a four-year degree plan for a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s. If GPA and other requirements are met during their studies at St. Mary’s, students will then be accepted into LECOM, where they will be on track to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Students can apply during their senior year in high school or their first or second year at St. Mary’s.

Early Acceptance Programs: Dental School

Dental Early Admission Program

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s University has partnered with the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry to offer a 3+4 program known as the Dental Early Acceptance Program (DEAP). DEAP allows St. Mary’s students to gain early acceptance into UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry after just three years at St. Mary’s.

Once students successfully complete their first year of course work at UT Health San Antonio’s School of Dentistry, they will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Combined Sciences from St. Mary’s. Once students complete the required course work at the dental school — a total of four years in addition to three years at St. Mary’s – they will earn a Doctor of Dental Science from UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.

LECOM Dental Early Acceptance Program

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s has partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) to offer the Dental Early Acceptance Program. This program allows St. Mary’s students to gain a provisional letter of acceptance into the LECOM Dental School. Students can apply during their senior year in high school or their first or second year at St. Mary’s.

Students in this program will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s. If GPA and other requirements are met during their studies at St. Mary’s, students will then be accepted into the LECOM Dental School. Please see the Pre-health Professions Adviser for additional information.

Early Acceptance Programs: Allied Health

LECOM Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s has partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) to offer the Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program. This program allows St. Mary’s students to gain a provisional letter of acceptance into the LECOM School of Pharmacy. Students can apply during their senior year in high school or their first or second year at St. Mary’s.

Students in this program will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s. If GPA and other requirements are met during their studies at St. Mary’s, students will then be accepted into the LECOM School of Pharmacy. Please see the Pre-health Professions Adviser for additional information.

Pre-Pharmacy Early Commit Program

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s University has partnered with the University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) to offer the Pre-Pharmacy Early Commit Program (PECP). 

PECP is a dual-degree program that allows St. Mary’s students to gain early acceptance into FSOP to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Students in the program are eligible for scholarships during their first year at FSOP.  

PECP students follow one of two degree paths. Students in the 4+4 program complete a four-year degree plan for a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s. Students in the 3+4 program complete a three-year degree plan at St. Mary’s and receive their Bachelor of Arts in Combined Sciences after completing their first year at FSOP.  

Accelerated Master of Public Health Program

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s University has partnered with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSCH) School of Public Health to offer the Accelerated Master of Public Health (MPH) Program.

The Accelerated MPH Program allows St. Mary’s students to take core MPH classes in their last year of undergraduate course work, allowing them to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years. Students who successfully complete a selected five MPH courses during the summer, fall and spring semesters of their senior year will earn a graduate certificate in Public Health and can apply to the graduate program at UTHSCH in the fall of their senior year.

The UTHSCH School of Public Health offers five concentrations: Biostatistics; Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Health Promotion/Education; and Management, Policy, and Community Health.

Other Pre-Health Opportunities

Pre-Health Career Conference

The Department of Biological Sciences at St. Mary’s invites current students, alumni, community college students and high school students to join in learning how to be successful in reaching a career in the health fields during the Pre-health Career Conference.

At the conference, keynote speakers, current practitioners, admissions advisers and representatives from local businesses — all from a wide variety of health occupations — are available to answer questions students may have. Attending college students can network, participate in mock interview sessions and learn how to become a more competitive applicant for graduate and professional schools.

Appointed Pre-Health Professional Adviser

Benjamin T. Enslow, M.D., brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the adviser role. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences since Fall 2023, specializes in Human Anatomy and has a rich background in Biomedical research and mentorship. Enslow holds a biochemistry degree from Schreiner University and a medical degree from UT Health San Antonio, with postdoctoral fellowships in Mitochondrial Biology and Immunometabolism.

As Pre-Health Professions Adviser, key responsibilities of Enslow include:

• Providing individual and group advising for approximately 150 students applying to various health professional schools.
• Participating in the Texas Association of Advisors of the Health Professions (TAAHP) conference annually.
• Assisting with summer orientation sessions for incoming freshmen.
• Advising health professional registered student organizations such as the Pre-Medical Society, Pre-Dental Society, American Red Cross Campus Club, and HOSA.
• Leading workshops and developing study plans for entrance exams like the MCAT, DAT, and GRE.
• Collaborating with partner institutions on early acceptance programs, including those with Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, and others.

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