Academics
Building a Strong Foundation for Health Professions
At University of Detroit Mercy, we encourage you to take full ownership of your academic path. That means:
- Knowing your GPA and understanding how your performance compares to expectations in your chosen field
- Planning ahead to meet the specific course requirements that graduate and professional health programs expect
- Using campus resources early such as faculty office hours, tutoring, study groups, and academic advising
- Asking for help before you fall behind
Your academic path is the foundation of your pre-health journey. From selecting the right courses to understanding program requirements, thoughtful planning helps you stay on track and prepare for the rigor of professional school. In this section, you’ll find guidance on choosing prerequisites, understanding your GPA, and making academic decisions that support your long-term goals in healthcare.
Declaring a Major
Being pre-health means you’re preparing for a future in a healthcare profession, whether that’s medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant studies, or another path. It is not a major, but a focused academic and experiential track that includes completing specific prerequisite courses and gaining relevant experience alongside your chosen degree.
At Detroit Mercy, many pre-health students major in biology, chemistry, or biochemistry because these programs naturally include many of the required science courses for graduate health programs. They also help build a strong foundation for entrance exams like the MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE. However, you can choose any major that interests you as long as you plan carefully and meet the prerequisites for your intended professional program.
Understanding Prerequisite Courses
No matter which major you choose, completing the right prerequisite courses is essential for applying to professional health programs. These courses—often in biology, chemistry, physics, and math—are required by most professional graduate programs and help prepare you for entrance exams like the MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE.
While many health professions share similar prerequisites, each program may have its own specific requirements. It’s important to research the schools and career paths you’re interested in so you can plan your coursework accordingly.
To help you get started, our Pre-Health Checklists outline the recommended courses for a variety of health tracks. Use these tools to stay organized, track your progress, and make sure you’re meeting the academic expectations for your intended profession.
It is your responsibility to know the exact course requirements for both your chosen health profession and the specific programs you plan to apply to. Staying informed and proactive will help you avoid surprises and keep your application on track.
Pre-Health Checklists:
- Pre-Dental
- Pre-Medical
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Veterinary
Grades and Academic Performance
Your academic performance plays an important role in preparing for professional health programs. Admissions committees pay close attention to your GPA, especially in science and prerequisite courses, to evaluate your readiness for graduate-level study.
A strong GPA is important, but it is not the only factor. Programs also consider your academic trends, the difficulty of your coursework, and how you have responded to challenges. If you have experienced setbacks, showing growth and improvement over time can make a meaningful difference.
It is essential to know your GPA and understand how it aligns with the expectations of your target programs. Use our GPA Tracker to monitor your progress and stay on top of your academic goals.
Tips to stay on track:
- Understand the GPA requirements for your intended health profession
- Seek support early through tutoring, office hours, or academic resources
- Balance your course load to maintain both academic success and personal well-being
- Meet regularly with your academic advisor to review your progress and plan ahead
Professional schools want to see that you are capable, resilient, and prepared. Your grades help tell that story, but how you grow and learn along the way also matters.