Prepare for a Career in Medicine and the Health Professions
Get a competitive edge when applying to healthcare schools with Merrimack's pre-healthcare pathways.
We offer our students a multitude of pre-healthcare pathways to choose from – come find yours!
Our pathways include pre-dental, pre-med, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant, and pre-veterinary.
Pre-Healthcare Pathways at a Glance
You’ll develop skills in critical thinking, empathy, communication, and leadership, giving you a firm foundation for your future in healthcare! Choose from:
Pre-Dental
Pre-Medical
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Veterinary
Tell Me More About Merrimack College Majors
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About Our Pre-Healthcare Programs
Select a program below to learn more:
Pre-Dental
The pre-dental pathway at Merrimack is for students preparing for dental school. To pursue the pre-dental pathway, your major will be Humanities.
What You'll Study
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy
Patient Care
Dental Schools Where Alumni Have Matriculated
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Pre-Dental Student Spotlight
B.S., BiochemistRY, Merrimack College

Pre-Medical
The pre-medical pathway at Merrimack is for students preparing for medical school. To pursue the pre-medical pathway, your major will be Humanities.
What You'll Study
Biology
Ethics
Anatomy
Patient Care
Medical Schools Where Alumni Have Matriculated
University of Vermont School of Medicine
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Carolinas
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Pre-Medical Student Spotlight
M.D., Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
B.S., Biochemistry, Merrimack College

Pre-Occupational Therapy (OT)
The pre-OT pathway at Merrimack is a preparatory track for students pursuing a career as an occupational therapist. To pursue the pre-occupational therapy pathway, your major will be Health Science.
What You'll Study
Biology
Psychology
Anatomy
Human Development
Rehabilitation
Patient Care
Occupational Therapy Schools Where Alumni Have Matriculated
University of Vermont
Regis University
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Tufts University
Stony Brook University
Sacred Heart University
Pre-OT Student Spotlight
M.S., Exercise & Sport Science and B.S., Health Science, Merrimack College

Pre-Physical Therapy (PT)
The pre-PT pathway at Merrimack is a preparatory track for students pursuing a career as a physical therapist. To pursue the pre-physical therapy pathway, your major will be Health Science.
What You'll Study
Biology
Kinesiology
Anatomy
Patient Mobility
Rehabilitation
Patient Care
Physical Therapy Schools Where Alumni Have Matriculated
University of Vermont
Regis University
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Tufts University
Stony Brook University
Sacred Heart University
Pre-PT Student Spotlight
B.S., Exercise Science, Merrimack College

Pre-Physician Assistant (PA)
The pre-PA pathway at Merrimack is for students preparing for physician assistant school. This pathway is also perfect for students preparing for pharmaceutical school. To pursue the pre-physician assistant pathway, your major will be Health Sciences.
What You'll Study
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy
Patient Care
Physician Assistant Schools Where Alumni Have Matriculated
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
University of Colorado
Northeastern University
Sacred Heart University
Pre-PA Student Spotlight
B.S., Biology, Merrimack College

Pre-Veterinary
The pre-veterinary pathway at Merrimack is for students aiming to become veterinarians.
Related Majors
You may select any major to pursue the pre-veterinary pathway. However, some of our most popular majors for students pursuing the pre-vet pathway include:
What You'll Study
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy
Animal Care
Veterinary Schools Where Alumni Have Matriculated
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine
Pre-Vet Student Spotlight
B.S., Biology, Merrimack College

Why Choose a Pre-Healthcare Pathway?
Declaring a pre-healthcare pathway at Merrimack can provide you with several advantages:
STRONG ACADEMIC FOUNDATION
Your academic journey at Merrimack will be carefully sculpted to prepare you for the future graduate school of your choice through clear cut pathways by your advisor.
COMPETITIVE EDGE
After graduation, you'll be totally prepared to enter into medical school having already taken introductory classes during your undergraduate time. Or, choose to become a Double Warrior and enroll in one of our life science-focused master's degree programs further preparing you to apply for medical schools.
EARLY EXPOSURE TO HEALTHCARE
By taking a healthcare-focused internship, you'll reinforce your inside-the-classroom learning with outside-the-classroom experience.
TIME AND COST EFFICIENCY
A pre-health program streamlines your academic journey reducing the likelihood of needing extra years of study or additional courses to meet health school requirements.
Career Outlook: Where Can a Pre-Healthcare Pathway Take You?
Career Outcomes Rate
96% of Merrimack’s undergraduate class of 2023 were either employed, participating in voluntary service, or continuing their education within nine months of graduation.
Experiential Learning
90% of the undergraduate class of 2023 participated in at least one internship, co-op, clinical, practicum or research opportunity while at Merrimack.
Graduate School
Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine and University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine are just a few of the medical schools Merrimack graduates are attending.
Where Merrimack Pre-Healthcare Graduates Work & Intern
University of Vermont
School of Medicine
Tufts
University
School of Dental Medicine
University of Colorado
Physician Assistant Program
Tufts
University
School of Veterinary Medicine
Rutgers University
School of Dental Medicine
Central Michigan University
College of Medicine
Midwestern University
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of New England
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Beyond the Classroom

Student Life
You’ll have endless opportunities to find your fit, get involved and pursue what makes you happy—all while making lifelong friends (and memories!).
Explore your passions alongside others with similar interests, whether that means a cappella singing or outdoor adventuring.
- 70+ student organizations
- Division I Athletics, club and intramural sports
- Beloved traditions like Homecoming, Block Party and Spring Concert
- Fraternities and sororities

Internships & Co-Ops
Our students gain valuable work experience and connections with leading companies through guaranteed internships and the Warriors at Work co-op program. Recent placements include:
- Interning with Homeland Security Investigations, shadowing special agents
- Interning at Delta Tech-Ops, working in components engineering
- Working as a tax intern at Baker Tilly

Research with Faculty
With access to cutting-edge tools, undergraduate students can collaborate with faculty on research projects that can lead to presentations and publications.
- Explore the complexities of the human mind in a state-of-the-art psychology lab.
- Understand how inflammation affects immune cell aging in our Shared Instrumentation and Research Facility.
- Build fully functional battle bots for competitions.

Study Abroad
Global Merrimack provides transformative, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Our 30+ study abroad programs include semesters abroad, faculty-led trips and international internships.
- Explore and study in the Dominican Republic or Iceland.
- Immerse yourself in cities like Dublin, Madrid or Rome.
- Experience a semester at sea or intern in vibrant cities like London or Paris.

Service Learning
Community and service are at the heart of our Augustinian mission.
Over 1,000 students work together to engage in hands-on service learning projects each year, supporting our communities and those in need.
- Participate in our campus-wide Mack Gives Back volunteer days.
- Spend your winter, spring, or summer break on an immersive SEND trip in the U.S. or abroad, helping those in need.
- Tutor students in nearby school districts.
See for Yourself
Pre-Healthcare Related Majors
Explore other areas and where they can take you.
Take the Next Step (We're Here to Help)
At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way!
Upcoming Events

Info Session & Campus Tour
Monday-Friday & Most Saturdays
Attend a 20-minute info session led by an admission counselor and then take a student-led campus tour. Registration is required.
Merrimack College Awards & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2024)
- Most Innovative Schools (#5)
- Regional Universities North (#39)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (#19)
- Best Colleges for Veterans (#15)
- Best Value Schools (#51)
Tell Me More About Merrimack College Majors
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