PRE-HEALTH
Develop a diverse and deep understanding of people and issues that impact health and healthcare.
“Becoming a Beyond120 Pre-Health Scholar and Morse Scholar significantly broadened my horizons with easily accessible opportunities that provided pivotal experience both in and outside the classroom. The Beyond120 family gave me the best academic and extra-curricular opportunities as an undergraduate at UF.”
– Emory Ranes
Pre-Health Scholars
Pre-health professional development is essential for individuals who aspire to pursue careers in the healthcare field. Professional schools look for applicants who are deeply and diversely educated in both academics and experiential learning. As a pre-health student, you should pursue opportunities to know and understand healthcare professions, issues, patient/family experiences, health-related competencies, and self-knowledge related to fit for the profession. Doing so will help you build a strong and competitive application. Beyond120 has numerous opportunities available to help you build up your skill set of professional development and experiential learning that fall into the Pre-Health Scholars (PHS) program. Please review the Intro to Pre-Health Professional Development & Experiential Learning Info Session for more details regarding the Beyond120 process of academic and experiential development.
The Beyond120 PHS program is for pre-health students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS). PHS encourages student engagement in the Beyond120 pre-health curriculum, humanities and social science courses, research, shadowing/mentorship, clinical employment/volunteering, community service, internships, global engagements and excursions. PHS academics and experiential opportunities benefit pre-health students in developing depth and diversity related to understanding the worldviews of others and insight into how people experience, apply meaning to healthcare experiences, and other issues related to healthcare. PHS enhances growth of the pre-health competencies required for admission to healthcare professional schools, interaction with future patients, and lifelong service to others in healthcare professions. Click here to view the Pre-Health Scholar Information Session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-health competencies are best developed through depth and diversity of thought and reflection through the humanities, social sciences and experiential learning.
“The humanities provide an outstanding foundation for understanding complexity and human variability, the conceptual basis for understanding medicine. “…health humanities foster critical thinking, empathy, and tolerance for ambiguity—qualities in high demand for medical school and beyond. What’s more, “the programs give students the opportunity to really grapple with the importance of culture in medicine and societal responses to illness and disability.”
– Charles M. Wiener, MD. “More Pre-Med Students Opting for Health Humanities Programs“
“For pre-med students, they can offer insight about the social and cultural contexts of health care. The health humanities trend dovetails with recent changes in the MCAT® exam, the need for more humanistic criteria in the admissions process, and a growing recognition that medical schools need to be turning out physicians who can function effectively in teams, think on their feet, and interact well with patients from diverse backgrounds. In fact, researchsuggests that academically, medical students with undergraduate degrees in the humanities perform as well as pre-meds with science backgrounds but tend to have better empathy and communication skills, and a more patient .”
– Howard, Beth. “More Pre-Med Students Opting for Health Humanities Programs“
“Humanities programs focusing on health and healthcare delivery in their cultural, historical, aesthetic, and political contexts complement efforts of health professions schools to recruit students who are patient-centered, ethically intelligent, skilled in communication, and competent with diverse populations.”
– Lamb, E.G., Berry, S.L. PhD, Jones, T. , “Health Humanities Baccalaureate Programs“
What are the benefits of being a Beyond120 Experiential Scholar?
20+ Points & 12 credits of Humanities and Social Science PH related courses (3k+) outside of major with Cs or above:
- Beyond120 graduation regalia
- Recognition of the Beyond 120 recognition event
- Include this accomplishment in your professional school application
The PHS Roadmap form is provided for you to keep track of your activities and points earned. You can use this form to keep track of the experiential learning opportunities you engage with, the program points you earn through them, and to make and monitor goals for future experiential learning. When you have earned the required 20 points for completion, email this form in to Bobbi Knickerbocker at rknicker@ufl.edu.
You may register for the PHS Scholar program as soon as you are a student at UF. However, if close to graduating, you must be able to demonstrate the ability to complete PHS requirements by graduation.
You may finish the remaining academic credits and experiential points in a flexible fashion prior to graduation. Feel free to exercise creative freedom in mixing and matching Beyond120 courses, study abroad programs, excursion, research, shadowing and other approved opportunities that aid in developing an understanding of the human dimensions and competencies in healthcare and the versatility of a CLAS degree.
You will submit your ‘Roadmap’ early in the semester that you graduate. If you have questions, email rknicker@ufl.edu for information on regalia and certificate of completion.
Requirements for the PHS Program
| 12 credits | 3,000 or 4,000 level courses in HUMANITIES OR SOCIAL SCIENCES OUTSIDE YOUR MAJOR REQUIREMENTS. These courses may overlap with minor, certificate, and general education or CLAS Basic Distribution requirements. Nine credits must be from courses in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS). We will accept three credits outside of CLAS. Courses must be passed with a ‘C’ or above. Students may consult with Bobbi Knickerbocker at rknicker@ufl.edu if you have any questions regarding what courses may count. All Beyond120 courses count towards the 12 credits. |
| 20 points | Experiential points based on Tiers One through Three as indicated below. To assist with planning, please download, research options, complete, and save your ‘Professional Development Plan.’ |
Beyond120 Pre-Health Courses
Click here for further guidance regarding coursework requirements.
This course will provide guidance on how students can prepare to be a healthcare professional and apply to health graduate programs. It will also introduce students to current topics in healthcare in a holistic, mind-body-spirit context including exploration of the patient/family experience, and one’s self as related to healthcare issues and topics. The use of the word ‘medicine’ in this course is all encompassing to include all healthcare professions.
Spring 2025 Syllabus (PDF, 428 KB)
Consistent/continual personal and professional growth is the core to preparation for health career professions. PH Pathways offers pre-health students opportunities for analysis, engagement, and assessment of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and critical reasoning pre-professional competencies defined by healthcare professional schools. Creation of a professional school ‘application portfolio’ demonstrate knowledge, skills and qualifications needed for competitive applicants. Students will leave this course with an in-depth understanding of personal competitiveness for application, the application process and content, and several components of the application complete.
Spring 2025 Syllabus (PDF, 416 KB)
Pre-requisite: UT 3 or sophomore standing.
This course is intended for students pursuing admission to pre-health professional graduate schools. Through the use of the humanities, social sciences, multi-media, case studies, guest speakers and discussion, this course will introduce students to a variety of healthcare topics and issues. In a holistic context, this course distinguishes characteristics of healthcare professions, articulates components of patient/family experiences, and identifies one’s strengths and challenges.
Earning Points for PHS
Click here for further guidance regarding points requirements.
- B120 Courses (3 credit)
- Research – minimum 45 hours
- Employment in a clinical/healthcare setting such as a certified M.A., CNA, EMT, scribe, phlebotomist, vet tech, dental assistant, dental lab, etc. – minimum 60 hours
- Pre-Health Scholar Leadership Role – Service Group Leader, CLAS Ambassador, Student Advisory Council
- Produce 1 podcast
- Beyond120 Internship – minimum 50 hours
- Global engagement – Study Abroad or Exchange program
- Participate in a summer pre-health program (i.e. SHPEP, UFCD Impressions Program, etc.)
- Beyond 120 courses (2 credits)
- Beyond 120 Excursions
- Beyond 120 PHS Service Group Member
- Shadowing – minimum 40 hours
- Community Service Volunteering – minimum 50 hours
- Completion of certification in an allied healthcare role – M.A., CNA, EMT, scribe, phlebotomist, vet tech, dental assistant, dental lab, etc.
- PHS Self Designed Project – Submit a proposal for a self-designed project that relates to humanities, social sciences. multicultural, inclusion, service, etc. This can be diverse in context whether a cultural event, art show, research project, food drive, etc. You will need a mentor to work with. This can be Beyond120 and/or UF faculty or service agency supervisor. Your mentor needs to complete the form for confirmation of project completion.
- Beyond 120 courses (1 credit)
- CLAS Pre-Health workshops and events
- Review podcasts
- B120 Workshops and Events
- B120 consultations
- Informational interview of a healthcare professional
- Healthcare professional school events and/or informational session
- Mentoring Consultations: Beyond120 Gator Network
Additional Resources to Meet PHS Requirements
Academic Requirements
12 credits
Health or culturally related courses
9 credits must be from the College of Liberal Arts & Science
3 credits may be from other college
List of possible electives. This is not a comprehensive list of electives. PHS students are encouraged to pursue electives they have interest in and relate to health, patients, or issues related healthcare and are in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS). PHS
Some courses may have pre-requisites and may not be offered every semester. Please check the Schedule of Courses and Course Descriptions for more information. General Education and Writing designations are always subject to change. Always check for designations when you are registering.
Beyond120 Canvas Course
Beyond120 Coursework
College of Medicine Courses – max of 3 credits will count
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) – courses related to healthcare and/or cultural insights
CERTIFICATION
- Medical Interpreters Certification. For more information about National Certification, visit the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters website or the Certification Commission for Health Care Interpreters.
- EMT – Santa Fe EMT Certificate
- Medical Scribe
EMPLOYMENT
CLINICAL VOLUNTEERING
- Streetlight (work with critically and chronically ill adolescents)
Clinics for Underserved
- iReviews: Disruptive Technology Reviews
- Salvation Army Homework Club: contact Shera Sherman at 352-376-1743 x 7101
Veterinary and Animal Volunteer Opportunities
National Volunteer Opportunities
UF does not endorse any programs other than the study abroad programs approved through the UF Beyond 102 and the International Center. Private programs should be carefully researched. Students participate at their own risk and should be fully aware of the ethical issues involved in international volunteer programs.
PLEASE review the module on International Experiences
Guidelines for Pre-Medical Students doing clinical work abroad —Guidelines for Pre-Dental Students doing clinical work abroad
Other options:
- International Habitat for Humanity https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/long-term-opportunities/international
Pre-Health Scholars Voices
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A First-Generation Student
When I applied to be a Morse Scholar, I expected support and mentorship, but I gained so much more. With the encouragement of my amazing advisor and the program’s staff, I have traveled the world, explored incredible opportunities, and grown in ways my freshman self never anticipated.
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The Importance of Involvement and Engagement
As an incoming first-year on a pre-medical track, I knew the importance of academics and traditional learning. However, I did not realize that involvement and experiences outside of classes are just as, if not more, significant as classes.
How Do I Get Involved with PHS?
Morse Scholars
The Morse Scholars program supports pre-health students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences who demonstrate tremendous academic and professional potential at the beginning of their collegiate career.
The purpose of the Morse Scholar program is to provide promising pre-health students opportunities for academic support and experiential learning to prepare them for their professional life after college. Starting in the Fall of Freshman year, students are assigned a faculty mentor and as they move through UF, they receive funding to support professional experiences, access to excursions, service-learning opportunities, and resources for professional school preparation. Through this program, students cultivate depth of knowledge in diverse contexts and learn how to meaningfully apply this knowledge in the field of healthcare.
- Assigned a Beyond120 faculty Pre-Health advisor to meet with semesterly and as-needed
- Development of a four-year plan for coursework, experiences, and service
- Participation in Beyond120 Pre-Health academic courses
- Priority to all Beyond120 academic and experiential resources and activities
- Guaranteed participation in the Pre-Health Scholars program
- Guaranteed participation in the Pre-Health Scholars Service Groups
- Connection with professional mentors via Gator Network
- Leadership as a Morse Scholar Mentor
- Funding and preference for Beyond120 excursions, internships, research, and study abroad
- Academic Major in the College of Liberal Arts & Science
- High School GPA – 4.0 weighted; 3.5 unweighted – consideration to lower GPAs on case by case basis
- Summer B GPA – UF GPA 3.3 minimum Will consider lower on case by case basis
- ALEKS score – 75%+ – place into MAC1147 Will consider MAC1140/MAC1114 on case by case basis
- Volunteer experiences and/or employment completed in high school demonstrating service to others
The 2025 Morse Scholars application will open May 2025.
For more information, contact Bobbi Knickerbocker at rknicker@ufl.edu. You can also book and manage appointments.
