FAQ

UMBC Allied Health — 20 Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Allied Health encompasses a broad range of health professions involved in areas such as disease prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, nutrition, and healthcare administration. Examples include physical therapists, occupational therapists, dental hygienists, sonographers, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.

  2. No. Pre-Allied Health is generally a career-interest area rather than a specific undergraduate major at UMBC. Some pathways require students to complete an undergraduate degree and the prerequisite coursework needed to prepare for their chosen professional or graduate program.

  3. UMBC provides advising and resources for pathways including Anesthesiologist Assistant, Athletic Training, Chiropractic, Dental Hygiene, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physical Therapy. The website provides pathway-specific information to help students explore requirements and application preparation.

  4. No. Many professional programs do not require a particular undergraduate major. For example, students interested in Physical Therapy or Nursing may choose majors outside of the traditional sciences, provided they complete the required prerequisite courses.

  5. Start by identifying your professional goal and the schools you may want to attend. Then compare their prerequisite requirements with the requirements for potential UMBC majors. Your academic major advisor and Allied Health/pre-professional advisor can help you develop a plan that accommodates both your degree requirements and professional-school prerequisites.

  6. As early as possible. Students are encouraged to explore health careers early, research professional programs, and meet regularly with advisors so prerequisite courses and other requirements can be completed in a timely fashion.

  7. In many cases, yes. Your major advisor helps you navigate your undergraduate degree requirements, while your pre-professional advisor helps you understand the requirements and preparation for your intended healthcare profession. The website specifically encourages students to work with both advisors.

  8. For several pathways, students indicate their interest through the Declaration of Major form. For example, students interested in Pre-Nursing, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, or Pre-Physician Assistant can formally indicate their pathway and connect with an appropriate advisor.

  9. No. Prerequisites can vary significantly from one school to another. Students should research multiple programs and create a list of common and school-specific requirements rather than relying on the requirements of only one institution.

  10. Start with the Explore tab on the  Allied Health website for your intended profession, then review the admission requirements for the individual professional schools you are considering. Because requirements can change and vary by institution, students should confirm requirements directly with each school.

  11. Yes. UMBC encourages students to choose a major that aligns with their interests and goals while completing the science and other prerequisites required by their professional programs. However, students should plan carefully because STEM and non-STEM majors may have different course sequences.

  12. Students should seek opportunities that help them understand the profession and demonstrate their commitment to healthcare. Depending on the profession, this might include volunteering, shadowing, internships, research, employment, or direct patient-care experiences. The specific type and amount of experience required varies by professional school.

  13. For some professions, patient-contact experience is especially important. Physician Assistant programs, for example, place significant emphasis on applicants having meaningful patient-care experience. Students should research the experience expectations of each professional program they are considering.

  14. UMBC offers student organizations and activities connected to healthcare pathways, including the Pre-PA Society, Pre-Pharmacy Society, Pre-Occupational Society and Pre-Nursing Society. These organizations can provide opportunities to connect with peers and learn more about healthcare careers.

  15. Yes. The Allied Health website features guest speaker series, open houses, information sessions, symposiums, and other events designed to help students learn more about different healthcare professions and professional programs.

  16. Yes. UMBC Allied Health resources include information about local professional schools, program directories, open houses, information sessions, and other opportunities that can help students learn about potential graduate and professional programs.

  17. Yes. The Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising provides academic advising and application preparation for several Allied Health pathways. Students should work with their advisor to understand application timelines, prerequisites, experiences, and other components of the professional-school application.

  18. That’s okay! Career exploration is an important part of the Allied Health journey. Students are encouraged to investigate different healthcare professions, meet with advisors, participate in student organizations and events, take interest inventories, and gain firsthand experience before committing to a particular pathway.

  19. The Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising  is located in Fine Arts Room 017. The office can be reached at 410-455-2729. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

  20. Start exploring early! Identify the healthcare profession that interests you, review the appropriate Allied Health pathway, meet with your academic and professional/pre-professional advisors, research professional schools, map out prerequisite courses, and begin gaining relevant experiences. You don’t have to have your entire career mapped out on day one—the goal is to explore, plan, and make informed decisions along the way.