The School of Medicine’s Professional Programs consist of nine undergraduate, graduate and professional programs: Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology; Health Informatics and Information Management; Immunology and Medical Microbiology; Medical Laboratory Sciences; Occupational Therapy; Pathologists’ Assistant, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant.
The undergraduate programs of Exercise Physiology, Immunology and Medical Microbiology, and Medical Laboratory Science are stand-alone undergraduate degrees as well as excellent preparatory pathways into many advanced degrees such as medicine, dentistry, chiropractic medicine, optometry, veterinary science, physical therapy, physicians’ assistant, pathologists’ assistant and other graduate programs. Students interested in attending one of these or other professional programs can select one of the School of Medicine's three undergraduate preparatory programs. Check out Exercise Physiology, Immunology & Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Science below for more information.
Finding the right residence hall is a very important decision. We have the right choice for our Health Professions students in the Health Professions Living-Learning Community (LLC).
The Health Professions LLC is located in Brooke Tower, only a short walk or PRT ride to the Health Sciences Center. Brooke Tower has newly renovated study space and an Academic Success Center.
Selecting this living experience will be a unique experience giving you the opportunity to live and study with like-minded students who are all in health or related majors. You will be able to participate in distinctive programming that is only open to residents of this LLC. You will be able to interact with faculty and healthcare professionals and attend workshops designed to help you prepare for graduate or professional programs.
For more information or to make this selection, please visit https://housing.wvu.edu/housing-options/living-and-learning-communities.
Pre-Medical, Dental and other professional program preparatory program
The Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology is a preparatory program for graduate or professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, and more. Courses include science, anatomy including a human cadaver lab, physiology, hands-on laboratories where students gain practical patient skills, a 135-hour clinical internship. and the only Aquatic Therapy Area of Emphasis in the U.S.
Pre-Medical, Dental and other professional program preparatory program
The Immunology and Medical Microbiology program combines the study of the immune system and medical microbiology to address how humans and other mammals respond to infectious disease. The Bachelor of Science degree is both a stand-alone program and a preparatory program for graduate or professional schools and includes courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.
Pre-Medical, Dental and other professional program preparatory program
Medical laboratory scientists are skilled professionals who perform and analyze laboratory tests used to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders. The Bachelor of Science degree boasts 100% employment and many of our graduates go to medical school or our Pathologists’ Assistant graduate program. Courses include biology, chemistry, math and student laboratory and clinical experiences.
HIIM professional are trained in information management technology applications and understand the operations and workflow of a variety of healthcare organizations. They are vital to the daily operations management of heath information and electronic health records. Graduates can work in a variety of organizations including large healthcare systems, physician practices of all sizes and more.
Occupational therapy professionals provide services to people of all ages with physical, mental, developmental or emotional disabilities. Assessment and treatment focus on developing an individual’s capacity to function independently in self-care, leisure or work activities at home and in the community. This program is currently an entry-level master’s degree but is transitioning to a OTD.
Physical therapists diagnose and manage movement disorders. Our program is a three-year, post-baccalaureate, entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. To apply, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree. Exercise Physiology is an excellent preparatory program for Physical Therapy, as it has all the required prerequisite courses in the curriculum.
Pathologists’ assistants provide anatomic pathology services under the direction of a pathologist. This masters program is 24 months and focuses on surgical and autopsy pathology with additional training in laboratory management, clinical pathology, forensic and biomedical photography and more. Both Medical Laboratory Science or Immunology & Medical Microbiology are great undergraduate majors.
The physician assistant studies program provides a model for addressing health disparity through an understanding of health and health policy, as well as awareness of demographic risk factors for health and quality of life as applied both locally and globally. The program will begin accepting students in 2020.
The WVU Athletic Training program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Due to mandated changes, the program will move to the School of Medicine as a professional level master's degree program. The program is currently undergoing administrative review and once approved, the University will apply to CAATE for a change in level of degree.
