Science Foundations for Health Professions
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
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Pursue a new career in the health professions.
The Science Foundations for Health Professions (SFHP) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program is designed for students who did not major in the sciences but would like to pursue medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, podiatry or chiropractic schools, nursing programs or graduate programs in physician assistant, physical therapy, pharmacy or occupational therapy studies. The program will allow students to complete prerequisite courses for the program and entrance exams before applying to their program(s) of interest.
Degree Explorer
A rich tradition in the health sciences
Saint Vincent College has a strong tradition in the health sciences, with acceptance rates of its graduate into health professions graduate and doctorate programs much higher than the national average over the past two decades. The SFHP certificate fits with this strong tradition, as students will enroll in the same undergraduate classes and be afforded the same opportunities with the College’s Pre-Allied Health Committee and Preprofessional Health Committee (letters of recommendation, interviews with faculty and undergraduates) as the College’s undergraduate students.
Curriculum Requirements
The requirements for health professions school admission are dependent on the type of profession desired and each student’s need for preparation. Each SFHP certificate candidate will be required to enroll in General Biology I and II (course and lab), General Chemistry I and II (course and lab) and General Calculus I. Candidates must then earn a minimum of 25 additional credits at Saint Vincent College. Within these 25 credits, three courses must have a lab component. Based on the candidate’s background and desired health professions program, these additional credits can be accrued in courses offered by the Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, Physics, Psychological Science and Sociology Departments. The Program Director will work one-on-one with students to develop a plan of courses and timeline based on goals.
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Prerequisites
BL150/151 General Biology I and Lab
BL 152/153 General Biology II and Lab
CH 101/102 General Chemistry I and Lab
CH 103/104 General Chemistry II and Lab
MA 109 Calculus I with Applications
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25 Credits Based on Background and Program
BL 208/209 Cell Biology and Lab
BL 212/213 Microbiology and Lab
BL 224/225 Physiology and Lab
BL 245 Exercise Physiology
BL 260 Biostatistics
CH 221/223 Organic Chemistry I and Lab
CH 222/224 Organic Chemistry II and Lab
CH 251/253 Proteins and Metabolism and Lab
INTS 222/224 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab
INTS 223/225 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab
INTS 250 Fundamentals of Nutrition
PH 109/113 College Physics I and Lab
PH 110/114 College Physics II and Lab
PY 100 Introduction to Psychological Science
PY 214 Life Span Development
PY 243 Abnormal Psychology
PY 308 Cognitive Psychology
PY 322 Health Psychology
PY 331 Biological Psychology
SO 101 Introduction to Sociology
Placement Statistics
Allied Health
The success rate for Saint Vincent students applying to allied health programs. This is a five-year rolling average from 2017-21.
| ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM | # MATRICULANTS/# APPLICANTS | % ACCEPTED |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapy | 10/13 | 77% |
| Physician Assistant | 19/27 | 70% |
| Second Degree Nursing | 16/16 | 100% |
| Occupational Therapy | 6/9 | 67% |
| Pharmacy | 11/11 | 100% |
Pre-Med
Following are the admissions statistics and schools attended for students who graduated from Saint Vincent College during the past five years.
| HEALTH PROFESSION | # MATRICULANTS/# APPLICANTS | % ACCEPTED |
|---|---|---|
| Human Medicine (Allopathic/Osteopathic) | 40/47 | 85% |
| Dental Medicine | 5/7 | 71% |
| Veterinary Medicine | 3/3 | 100% |
| Other | 26/29 | 90% |
Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Science Foundations for Health Professions (SFHP) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program will:
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Learn the foundations of sciences essential for their future education. Through the coursework the students take, they will gain the scientific knowledge they were not exposed to during their undergraduate careers.
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Complete prerequisite courses needed for their program of interest and entrance exams. The Program Director will work with each student to ensure they are successfully completing the coursework needed and are prepared for their entrance exams and certificate completion.
Facilities
The Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion
The Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion
Engage within the sciences and the Benedictine tradition in our 113,260 square foot LEED-certified Gold Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion, home to The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing. The James F. Will Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Hall was added to in 2017, creating an environment for study characterized by mutual respect, personal attention and open dialogue.
The Liberatore Human Anatomy Lab
The Ralph and Donna Liberatore Human Anatomy Lab, is an expansive, state-of-the-art laboratory space equipped with six surgical stations for anatomical research for medical training sessions with physicians and surgeons. Our undergraduate biology students study human anatomy and physiology through cadaveric dissection demonstrated by practicing medical physicians.
Digital Imaging Lab
The Digital Imaging Lab is utilized by faculty and students throughout the natural science curriculum for inquiry-based classroom, laboratory-based activities and for faculty and student research projects. The lab includes a nine-station advanced microscopy suite containing fluorescent compound microscopes, research-grade dissection microscopes, a fluorescent inverted microscope for mammalian cell culture, a polarizing microscope and more to facilitate complex student research projects.
The Anatomage Table
In spring 2021, Saint Vincent College students studying health sciences were introduced to the new, state-of-the-art Anatomage Table, the most technologically advanced 3-D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection school for anatomy and physiology education. Located in the Liberatore Human Anatomy Lab in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion, the Anatomage Table allows for exploration and learning of human anatomy beyond what any cadaver could offer. The laboratory is used by undergraduate students for the study of human anatomy and physiology, facilitated by cadaveric dissection. The lab is also used by external clients for surgical training and demonstrations.
Contact
For more information or to learn more about the SFHP program, please contact the program director or the office of graduate and continuing education.
Jennifer Koehl, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology and SFHP Program Director
jennifer.koehl@stvincent.edu
Office of Graduate and Continuing Education
724-805-2933
gradadmission@stvincent.edu