Schools Take Notice
Interested in a healthcare or biomedical career, but don't have a science degree or the desired GPA for applying to Health Professional Schools?
Cal State East Bay’s Pre-Professional Health Academic Program (PHAP) is specifically designed to provide you with the competitive advantage to enter into health professional schools and, ultimately, a career in the health care industry.
Whether you’re interested in a career change or already have an educational background in science but would like to enhance your GPA, the PHAP has a track for you.
Program Highlights
Supportive cohort classroom learning environment; our small-sized classes are exclusive to PHAP students
Individualized advising, mentoring, tutoring through each step of the way
The Princeton Review® MCAT prep course at a highly subsidized rate
Personal statement/application workshops
Committee letter of recommendation or letter packet (students must meet minimum requirements)
Numerous clubs/extracurriculars
PHAP helped me improve my academic resume; allowed me to balance two clinical-oriented jobs, volunteering, and extracurricular activities; and guided me through the rigorous application process. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the lasting connections and friendships I’ve made in this program!
CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2026
With a PHAP Certificate from an accredited university, you’ll quickly be on your way to an exciting and rewarding career in the health profession.
Become an Asset to Your Community
Do you desire a career that is challenging, engaging, and satisfying? Cal State East Bay’s Pre-Professional Health Academic Program is strategically designed to provide the competitive advantage needed to enter a health professional school and launch a rewarding career in medicine, optometry, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, and other healthcare fields.
Launch a rewarding career in a variety of healthcare fields.
Occupational and Medical College Trends
Physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations, with a median wage equal to or greater than $239,200 per year.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Performing well in a premedical post-baccalaureate program demonstrates successful completion of premedical requirements, as well as a continued commitment to your goal of a career in medicine.
—Association of American Medical Colleges
Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032, adding about 1.8 million new jobs.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Develop Your Competitive Edge
Health professional schools today are admitting more post-baccalaureate students than ever before. As a student in Cal State East Bay’s PHAP, you’ll receive the intensive training and preparation needed to succeed in those schools and foster a career in the health profession of your choice.
Join the growing list of Cal State East Bay graduates who are admitted into medical schools across the nation each year by showing promise in scholarship, competitive entrance test scores, quality experience in health/medical settings, and excellent personal characteristics that include maturity, leadership, self-discipline, compassion, and empathy.
The PHAP program transformed my approach to learning and revealed the importance of tailoring study strategies across different subjects. PHAP provided a supportive environment where I overcame my fear of asking questions, actively engaging in office hours and lectures, and forming study groups.
UC Davis School of Medicine, Class of 2027
This unique program has so much to offer if you are willing to explore it all. It has helped me learn better study habits, be more efficient with time management, and network with many professionals that have been a huge part of my success. I am thankful for the wonderful staff and would highly recommend PHAP to anyone that is thinking of applying to a professional program.
UOP School of Dentistry, Class of 2026
Rigorous PHAP classes expanded my medical knowledge and refined my study habits. I am thankful for the invaluable guidance provided by PHAP professors/advisors, ensuring I stay on course to achieve my goal of entering medical school.
Charles R. Drew COM, Class of 2027
As a first generation college student from an underserved/underrepresented community, it was often challenging to envision myself in a position to become a medical professional. Aside from practicing new study strategies, I was able to surround myself with a very supportive community of students and staff who shared my interest in the medical professions.
UCSF School of Medicine, Class of 2027
Not only was I given an opportunity to grow academically, PHAP provided me with the tools to grow as a leader and allowed me to volunteer with the community. Being a PHAPer allowed me to connect with my professors in a small class setting and build my confidence to pursue my dream, all the while surrounded with like-minded individuals!
Western University COM, Class of 2028
Program Objectives
By successfully completing this program, you will:
Acquire the required baseline knowledge in entrance and advanced science courses to competitively apply to health professional schools.
Gain necessary experience in various health settings.
Prepare for national entrance exams such as the MCAT, DAT, GRE, and OAT.
Have opportunities to engage in basic or clinical research and participate in community service.
Receive mentoring and tutoring that prepare you for the health professional school application process.
Develop personal characteristics and acquire skill-based professional training for career advancement.
Program Curriculum
Cal State East Bay’s Pre-Professional Health Academic Program is designed to fit the needs of both non-science and science majors. As a student in the program, you’ll enjoy a goal-oriented curriculum that includes health profession volunteerships/internships, research experience, community service, and pre-health association opportunities.
The program is designed for students who can take classes full-time, with at least three to four classes per semester. However, with classes being offered at the Hayward and Concord campuses and the Oakland Center with convenient class times, including some evening courses, you can easily fit classes into your busy schedule.
Choose from Two Tracks Designed to Meet Your Goals
The program includes two different tracks, depending on your academic background:
Approximately 2 full years, or 4 semesters. Choose this track if you have a non-science degree.
Approximately 1 full year, or 2 semesters. Choose this track if you already hold a biological sciences or biochemistry degree.
Track I: Career Changer (CC)*
Requirement: Completion of all foundational science courses required in your career choice (usually biology I/II, general chemistry I/II, organic chemistry I/II, physics I/II, and calculus I), plus a selection of 4-5 upper-level biology/biochemistry recommended/electives, plus 2 seminars (2 units each) (starts Fall semester only)
Typically students in the Career Changer track complete the following:
- Foundation Science Courses ~38 units
- Recommended/Elective Upper Division Courses ~18-24 units
* If you have completed some, but not all of the foundation sciences, you will not be required to retake them unless you did not pass with C and above grade.
Foundation Science Courses (~38 units):
| Biology Courses |
|---|
| BIOL 140A - Cell and Molecular Biology (5 units) |
| BIOL 140B - Organismal Biology (5 units) |
| Physics Courses |
|---|
| PHYS 125 - Principles of Physics I (4 units) |
| PHYS 126 - Principles of Physics II (4 units) |
| Chemistry Courses |
|---|
| CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I (5 units) |
| CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II (5 units) |
| CHEM 331 - Organic Chemistry I (5 units) |
| CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II (5 units) |
| Mathematics Courses |
|---|
| MATH 130 - Calculus I (4 units) |
| Psychology Courses |
|---|
| PSYC 100 - General Psychology (3 units) |
| PSYC 330 - Cognitive Psychology (4 units) |
| Statistics Courses |
|---|
| STAT 303A - Biostatistics for Health Sciences (3 units) |
| Health Science Courses |
|---|
| HSC 130 - Health Humanities (3 units) |
| HSC 405 – Toxicology (3 units) |
| Seminar Courses |
|---|
| BIOL 408 – Biomedical Sciences Seminar (2 units) |
Elective Lower and Upper Division Courses (~18-24 units):
| Select from the following: |
|---|
| BIOL 270 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 units) |
| BIOL 271 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 units) |
| BIOL 310 - Genetic Analysis I (4 units) |
| BIOL 330 - General Microbiology (5 units) |
| BIOL 410 - Genetic Analysis II (3 units) |
| BIOL 426 - Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology (3 units) |
| BIOL 434 - Molecular Microbiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 440 - Molecular Virology (3 units) |
| BIOL 441 - Parasitology (3 units) |
| BIOL 442 - Epidemiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 444 - Medical Entomology (3 units) |
| BIOL 445 - Immunology (3 units) |
| BIOL 470 - Animal Senses (4 units) |
| BIOL 471 - Neurobiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 473 - Comparative Physiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 474 - Biomedical Physiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 476 - General Endocrinology (3 units) |
| BIOL 488 - Environmental Physiology (3 units) |
| CHEM 441 - Biochemistry I (4 units) |
| CHEM 442 - Biochemistry II (4 units) |
| CHEM 445 - Protein Structure (3 units) |
| CHEM 446 - Nucleic Acid Chemistry (3 units) |
| CHEM 447 - Major Organ Biochemistry (3 units) |
| CHEM 490 - Independent Study (1-4 units) |
| HSC 315 - Public Health (3 units) |
| HSC 355 - Bioethics (3 units) |
| MATH 131 - Calculus II (4 units) |
Track II: Academic Enhancer (AE)*
Requirement: The number of units an academic enhancer student needs will depend on their undergraduate coursework and academic performance, in consultation with a faculty academic advisor. Typically, AE students complete a selection of ~ 9-12 upper-level elective courses (~30-36 units), plus 2 seminars (2 units each) (starts Fall and Spring semesters)
*If you did not pass any required foundation course with C and above grade, you may be required to retake it.
Elective Lower and Upper Division Courses (34-40 units):
| Biology Courses |
|---|
| BIOL 270 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 units) |
| BIOL 271 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 units) |
| BIOL 310 - Genetic Analysis I (4 units) |
| BIOL 330 - General Microbiology (5 units) |
| BIOL 410 - Genetic Analysis II (3 units) |
| BIOL 424 Bioinformatics (3) |
| BIOL 426 - Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology (3 units) |
| BIOL 430 Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (3) |
| BIOL 432 Microbe-Host Interactions (3) |
| BIOL 434 - Molecular Microbiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 440 - Molecular Virology (3 units) |
| BIOL 441 - Parasitology (3 units) |
| BIOL 442 - Epidemiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 444 - Medical Entomology (3 units) |
| BIOL 445 - Immunology (3 units) |
| BIOL 470 - Animal Senses (4 units) |
| BIOL 471 - Neurobiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 473 - Comparative Physiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 474 - Biomedical Physiology (3 units) |
| BIOL 476 - General Endocrinology (3 units) |
| BIOL 488 - Environmental Physiology (3 units) |
| Physics Courses |
|---|
| BIOL 125A – Principles of Physics I (1 unit) |
| BIOL 126A – Principles of Physics II (1 unit) |
| PHYS 303 - Biophysics (3 units) |
| Chemistry Courses |
|---|
| CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I (5 units) |
| CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II (5 units) |
| CHEM 331 - Organic Chemistry I (5 units) |
| CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II (5 units) |
| CHEM 441 - Biochemistry I (4 units) |
| CHEM 442 - Biochemistry II (4 units) |
| CHEM 445 - Protein Structure (3 units) |
| CHEM 446 - Nucleic Acid Chemistry (3 units) |
| CHEM 447 - Major Organ Biochemistry (3 units) |
| Mathematics Courses |
|---|
| MATH 130 - Calculus I (4 units) |
| MATH 131 - Calculus II (4 units) |
| Psychology Courses |
|---|
| PSYC 100 - General Psychology (3 units) |
| PSYC 330 - Cognitive Psychology (4 units) |
| Statistics Courses |
|---|
| STAT 303A - Biostatistics for Health Sciences (3 units) |
| English Courses |
|---|
| ENGL 100 College Writing: Stretch I (3) |
| ENGL 101 College Writing: Stretch II (3) |
| ENGL 200 College Writing II (3) |
| Health Science Courses |
|---|
| HSC 130 - Health Humanities (3 units) |
| HSC 315 - Public Health (3 units) |
| HSC 355 - Bioethics (3 units) |
| HSC 405 - Toxicology (3 units) |
| Seminar Courses |
|---|
| BIOL 408 – Biomedical Sciences Seminar (2 units) |
| Independent Study |
|---|
| BIOL 490 – Independent Study (1-4 units) |
| CHEM 490 Independent Study (1-4 units) |
Please note: Students with biomedical undergraduate degrees (like biology, biochemistry, etc.) must complete a minimum of 10 upper division courses (or one full year) as post-baccalaureates to qualify for certification.
Featured Faculty
Kenneth Curr
Dr. Kenneth Curr is an associate professor in CSUEB’s Department of Biological Sciences. Dr. Curr's research is based on three areas of study, molecular virology (GB Virus Type C/HIV-1), marine invertebrate immunology and population genetics (the nudibranch Tritonia tetraquetra) and finally,heavy metal bioremediation using cyanobacteria (Spirulina plantensis/maximus).
Tyler Evans
Dr. Tyler Evans is an assistant professor in CSUEB’s Department of Biological Sciences with a focus on environmental physiology, genomics, and climate change. His lab, The Evans Lab at California State University, East Bay, is interested in how shifts in abiotic variables affect the performance of marine organisms, particularly within the scope of global climate change. His work strives to characterize responses to the environment across levels of biological organization and elucidate differences that exist between populations or species in their capacity to respond to environmental change. Ultimately, this information is useful in developing predictions as to how organisms will fare in future environments.
Dr. Evans has a PhD in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada).
For more information about his research, please visit his website.
Erik Helgren
Dr. Erik Helgren is the chair for CSUEB’s Department of Physics as well as an associate professor with a focus on transport properties of renewable energy materials. He also is the co-director of the Social Impact Solar (SIS) program, i.e., the Solar Suitcase Program since 2015, where students learn basic STEM concepts associated with solar technology as well as the social justice and environmental justice implications that solar technology can have on society. Students in the class assemble a working off-grid solar energy system, i.e., the Solar Suitcase, developed by our partner non-profit We Share Solar.
Dr. Helgren was awarded the George and Miriam Phillips Outstanding Professor Award for the 2018-2019 academic year and has served on the board of directors for the CSUEB Institute for STEM Education since 2015.
He earned his PhD in Physics from UCLA.
Arnab Mukherjea
An effective teacher is one who draws out the natural talents and skills individuals possess through their personal experiences and mastery of their own realities. As an instructor, my role is to have students blend academic knowledge with these important exposures to become competent, innovative, and influential professionals.
Dr. Arnab Mukherjea has a specific passion for empowering at-risk populations to assume ownership of their own health prospects. He firmly believes that training and developing diverse and talented students will allow them to return to their communities to positively impact health. Dr. Mukherjea received his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Applied Health Disparities Research, as well as a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Health & Social Behavior with a specialization in Multicultural Health. His Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is in Molecular & Cell Biology, with a concentration in Neuroscience. All of his academic training occurred at the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Mukherjea has been involved in both undergraduate and graduate public health education in the University of California and California State University systems since 1998, teaching courses in community health, multicultural health, team building, epidemiology, as well as integration of theory and practice. In addition to teaching, he has worked in the non-profit sector, encompassing research and practice, with a particular focus on understanding and addressing preventable disparities among understudied Asian American populations. He has published and lectured on a number of issues related to health disparities in California and throughout the U.S. and has received numerous awards for his research in this area.
James Murray
As a scientist, Dr. James Murray is trained to employ critical thinking, and as an instructor he has learned to hone critical thinking skills in his students. Throughout his courses, students learn how to critically analyze scientific literature and data, and how to evaluate the importance of scientific results and statistical evidence. The bulk of Dr. Murray's research focuses on the neural basis for adaptive behavior.
Dr. Murray received a BS in Neurobiology & Behavior from Cornell University in 1988, and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Washington in 1994.
Poonam Narula
Dr. Poonam Narula has taught general chemistry at Cal State East Bay since 2017. She has a passion for teaching as she believes that it allows her to share her knowledge with the future of tomorrow.
Apart from her teaching experience, Dr. Narula has worked in various business sectors for the past 15 years and has been involved in identification of new growth areas and managing implementation in these areas.
Dr. Nurula holds a PhD in inorganic chemistry from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC and a postdoc in analytical chemistry from the University of NC at Chapel Hill as well as an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Claudia Uhde-Stone
Dr. Claudia Uhde-Stone is a professor in CSUEB’s Department of Biological Sciences. In her lab, undergraduate and graduate students collaborate to unravel the molecular mechanisms that underlie plants’ abilities to adapt, communicate, learn, and potentially live forever. Dr. Stone’s lab uses transcriptomics (RNA-sequencing), proteomics (mass spectrometry) and genome editing (CRISPR-Cas) to better understand how plants function.
She has a PhD from the University of Bielefeld in Germany.
Additional Faculty:
Dr. Semere Bairu
Dr. Hardeep Kaur
Dr. Helen Kwan
Dr. Faezeh Manshadi
Dr. Taban Seif
Dr. Hasan Tahir
Admission Requirements
To qualify for entry into the Pre-Professional Health Academic Program at Cal State East Bay, you must:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree with an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 (average of accepted GPA is 3.0).
How to Apply
Once you are ready to apply to the program, you will fill out an online application and submit all transcripts directly from your previous college.
Please note that applications for Career Changers (Track I) are ONLY processed for classes beginning in the fall term. Academic Enhancers (Track II) applications are accepted for classes beginning fall and spring terms.
Due to the growth in the pool of prospective students applying to the program, you are encouraged to apply early. Like biomedical schools, the program follows a rolling admissions format, which leads to students with higher GPAs being accepted further along the application cycle. In short, the earlier you apply, the higher your chances of being accepted.
International Student Applicants
If you are an international student/applicant you must demonstrate proficiency in English with one of the following:
- A transcript showing graduation with a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S. college or university, or an international college or university where we accept English as the principal language of instruction. The list of countries we accept are listed in the following link English Proficiency Requirement.
- A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80 ibt (internet based test) or above.
- An overall test score from IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam of 6.5 or above.
If you are an international student and have completed a bachelor’s degree in a science or non-science field, you are invited to apply to the program.
To facilitate processing of international applications, you must:
- Complete an online application through Cal State Apply.
- Submit unofficial transcripts and a degree certificate from all foreign institutions attended from your undergraduate degree and higher, if applicable and official transcripts from U.S institutions and submit proof of English proficiency.
- If you are admitted, you will be required to submit all official documents, transcripts, degree certificates and test scores.
- If you are an F-1 student, a message will be sent to your Horizon email account if you are admitted in order to further gather information to issue your I-20.
Admission Deadlines
Track I: Career Changer Track
| Term | Application Filing Period | Transcripts & Other Docs Due By |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Not accepting applications | N/A |
| Fall 2025 | 10/1/24-6/1/25 | 7/1/25 |
Track II: Academic Enhancer Track
| Term | Application Filing Period | Transcripts & Other Docs Due By |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | 8/1/24-11/15/24 | 11/30/24 |
| Fall 2025 | 10/1/24-6/1/25 | 7/1/25 |
At Cal State East Bay, we pride ourselves on putting students first, from the moment you inquire until you graduate. We hope you've found answers to your questions in this support center, but if not, please get in touch.