Health Professions Advising and Transfer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists are professionals who work with patients to identify signs of oral diseases and provide preventive care. 

Students interested in Dental Hygiene should consider pursuing the Health Sciences Certificate at the College of Southern Maryland while also researching transfer destinations to determine required pre-requisite courses for Dental Hygiene programs.

Students interested in pursuing education in Dental Hygiene should utilize the American Dental Association program directory and the American Dental Hygienists Association program directory to find information about accredited Dental Hygiene programs.

Please note that typically Dental Hygiene is not considered a pathway into pursuing a Doctorate of Dentistry degree. 

Dentists take care of patient's oral care, which includes the teeth, gums, and diet as it affects the health of the mouth. It is more than brushing teeth or filling cavities. Dentists teach patients how to take care of their teeth and gums and related parts of the mouth.

At the College of Southern Maryland, students are encouraged to pursue the Associate of Science in Mathematics and Sciences: Biology concentration. Students then transfer to pursue a Bachelor's degree prior to applying and enrolling in a Doctorate program.

According to the American Dental Association, the most common pre-requisite courses include:

• Two semesters of Biology with lab
• Two semesters of Physics
• Two semesters of English
• Two semesters of General Chemistry with Lab
• Two semesters of Organic Chemistry with Lab

According to the Ohio State University, a very small number of dental student are graduates of any dental hygiene program. This path is not common and is comparable to completing a nursing degree as a pre-medicine major.

Students who intend to go to dental school are encouraged to use their undergraduate years to gain a strong science foundation and liberal arts education.

In its simplest terms, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

Students interested in a career as an Occupational Therapist are encouraged to pursue the Associate of Science in Mathematics and Sciences or the Associate of Arts in Arts and Sciences: Exercise and Sport Science. Students then transfer to pursue a Bachelor's degree prior to applying and enrolling in a Doctorate program.

Generally, students applying to Occupational Therapy programs are encouraged to complete the following:

• Undergraduate degree by May 31st
• 3.25+ GPA on last 60 credits
• Human Service Hours (some alternatives available due to COVID-19)

Generally, the most common pre-requisite courses include:

• English Composition
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Human Growth & Development
• Basic Statistics
• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 with lab
• Physics with lab (does not necessarily need to be calculus-based)

Students are encouraged to research and find the exact pre-requisite requirements for the specific Occupational Therapy program they wish to enroll in. 

Pharmacists are medication experts and play a critical role in helping people get the best results from their medications. Pharmacists prepare and dispense prescriptions, ensure medicines and doses are correct, prevent harmful drug interactions, and counsel patients on the safe and appropriate use of their medications. Pharmacists may also prepare personalized medications, participate in patient rounds at a hospital, reduce the spread of infections, conduct research or clinical trials, or focus on a specific patient population or disease state (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, asthma, HIV, and pain management). Pharmacists are also the most accessible health care professional, since most people in the U.S. live within 2 miles of a pharmacy!

Students interested in pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy are encouraged to enroll in the Associate of Science in Pre-Professional Health Sciences: Pharmacy concentration.

The College of Southern Maryland has two partnerships for students who want to earn a Doctorate of Pharmacy:

• Notre Dame of Maryland University 
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)

Physical Therapists (PT) provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. The main goal of a PT is to return the patient to their full functioning independence.

Students interested in pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy are encouraged to pursue either the Associate of Science in Mathematics and Sciences or the Associate of Arts in Arts and Sciences: Exercise and Sport Science. Students then transfer to pursue a Bachelor's degree prior to applying and enrolling in a Doctorate program.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the most common pre-requisite courses include:

• Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 with labs
• Biology 1 &2 (not botany or zoology)
• General Chemistry 1 & 2 with lab
• General Physics 1 & 2 with lab
• Psychology
• Statistics

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs are not considered to be a stepping stone to a Physical Therapy education or career. The PTA curriculum differs from that of the Physical Therapist and does not provide the needed pre-requisites required for physical therapist education. Fewer than 2% of enrolled Doctorate of Physical Therapy students were previously Physical Therapy Assistants. 

Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat patients. Physicians examine patients and can prescribe medications if necessary. Physicians also track and educate patients about the patient's overall wellness, including ordering diagnostic tests, diet, and preventative care. Surgeons operate on patients. They may be treating injuries or diseases.

At the College of Southern Maryland, there is no pre-medicine major. An important step is to identify the four-year college/university to which you intend to transfer, and then follow pre-medical advising committee recommendations offered by those four-year colleges/universities.

Four-year colleges/universities typically have a Pre-Med/Pre-Dental Advising committee made up of faculty members in the sciences who offer guidance throughout a student's four years of study. 

Students interested in becoming a Physician should review the Planning Timeline for Pre-Medicine from the Association of American Medical Schools.

PAs are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. PAs practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality.

Students interested in pursuing a Graduate degree in Physicians Assistant are encouraged to pursue either the Associate of Science in Mathematics and Sciences: Biology concentration. Students then transfer to pursue a Bachelor's degree prior to applying and enrolling in a Graduate program.

Prior to admission, it is common for programs to require Patient Contact Experience. Please review these requirements early for your desired program.

Respiratory therapists help people who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. People who have had heart attacks or who have sleep disorders and infants who are born prematurely might also need respiratory therapy to help them breathe more easily. They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning or shock.

At the College of Southern Maryland, we have a partnership with Prince George's Community College to assist students in entering this career field. For more information, including the pre-requisite requirements, please click here. 

Veterinary doctors work in clinical settings treating animals directly to improve the animals' health condition. They diagnose and treat pets, livestock, and other animals.

Students interested in pursuing a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine are encouraged to pursue either the Associate of Science in Mathematics and Sciences: Biology concentration. Students then transfer to pursue a Bachelor's degree prior to applying and enrolling in a Doctorate program.

Students should explore the specific pre-requisite requirements for the designed Veterinary Medicine program they wish to enroll in. To see a summary of course pre-requisites, please click here.

In addition to coursework, Veterinary Medicine programs look for applicants to have animal experience, including 4-H animal projects, livestock farms, humane societies, zoos, kennel work, racetracks – any activity that allows you to gain hands-on experience in working with animals in general. This does not include family pets. It’s advisable to keep a journal of your activities. Include dates, time spent, types of activities, who supervised, etc.