Allied Health Preparatory Programs
Allied health preparatory programs include pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant - both of which are part of the Biology (B.A.) program, as well as pre-occupational therapy, pre-pharmacy, and pre-cytotechnology. Students usually spend two to four years of study at Bloomsburg, and then transfer to another institution for clinical and further specialized training. Students follow a course of study that prepares them for entry into programs at different schools and for a degree in biology if they wish to remain at Bloomsburg University for four years. Bloomsburg University does not offer specific degrees in these areas. These preparatory programs provide the advantage of combining a quality, reasonably priced education at a rural university, with training at a major, often urban, medical center.
To help prepare you for clinical study in physical therapy, you'll take introductory courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and physics, plus college-level mathematics, statistics, English composition, sociology or anthropology and psychology.
Courses you'll need to enroll in mid-entry and master's degree physician assistant program can be found as part of the bachelor of arts biology curriculum, including introductory biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry, as well as microbiology, human genetics, medical terminology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, statistics, college algebra, English composition, medical ethics, sociology and psychology.
Pre-Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapists develop activities, tools, and materials to help patients achieve independence and self-sufficiency. Clients include those who are limited by physical or mental injury/illness, old age, or developmental disabilities. Occupational therapy degree programs are now at the master's level. Most students complete 2 years of pre-requisite courses at Bloomsburg then transfer to a combined baccalaureate/master's degree OT program for 3 years. Bloomsburg students have been admitted to many different schools; there are 13 in Pennsylvania. As for physical therapy, Bloomsburg has an affiliation agreement with Thomas Jefferson University that guarantees admission to our students providing specific undergraduate requirements are met.
If you're planning on enrolling in an occupational therapy school, you'll get a firm foundation in a two-year sequence at BU that includes introductory biology, anatomy and physiology, hemistry, and physics as well as mathematics and statistics, English composition, socology, cultural anthropology and psychology.
Pre-Pharmacy - Pharmacy is a health profession concerned with knowledge about drugs and their effects. Pharmacists prepare, dispense, and administer drugs. They evaluate medication orders, and provide information and advice on drug selection, effects, and interactions. Some pharmacy programs offer a five-year bachelors degree. These are typically "2+3" programs: two years of pre-pharmacy education at Bloomsburg followed by three years in a pharmacy program. Most pharmacy programs now offer and recommend the Doctor of Pharmacy degree, requiring an additional year of clinical studies ("2+4" programs). Bloomsburg students have been admitted to many different schools; there are 5 in Pennsylvania.
Preparation for colleges of pharmacy includes much of the coursework leading to a bachelor of science degree in Biology, including those at the doctoral level. You'll study medical terminology, introductory biology and chemistry, physics and calculus, as well as organic chemistry, English composition, public speaking, economics, medical ethics, sociology, psychology, anatomy and phyiology, microbiology an an allied health internship. You'll work with your adviser for specific needs for admission to specific pharmacy programs.
Pre-Cytotechnology - Cytotechnologists study the structure and function of cells. They prepare and observe slides and cultures, and work with pathologists in the detection of abnormalities that may be indicative of cancer or other diseases. Cytotechnology programs are bachelors degree programs. Students typically complete 2 years of course work at Bloomsburg and then transfer to a cytotechnology program for further clinical and specialized courses. Bloomsburg students have been admitted to a number of different schools; there are 6 in Pennsylvania. We have an affiliation agreement with Thomas Jefferson University that guarantees admission to our students providing specific requirements are met.
Students preparing for entry into clinical cytotechnology programs at Thomas Jefferson or elsewhere will find the two-year preparatory program at Bloomsburg required or recommended by most program. These include study in introductory biology, anatomy and physiology, medical termiology, microbiology, cell biology, introductory and physiological chemistry, college algebra, statistics and English composition.