Health Professions

Welcome to Schreiner’s Health Professions Program!

The Health Professions is a rapidly expanding field with many options in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, optometry, chiropractic, communication disorders, and a multitude of other allied health professions.

Most students pursuing these careers typically major in Biology, Chemistry, Nursing, Psychology, Health Sciences or Exercise Science. However, there is no specific major for these careers, and instead students should select a major that encompasses the prerequisite coursework they’ll need to apply to specialized professional schools after their undergraduate degree.

Our Health Professions Program provides students with the resources and guidance needed to graduate from Schreiner University and be successful applicants to the professional schools of their choice. Schreiner University currently offers academic tracks or degrees for the following health professions:

Pre-Athletic Training

Pre-Chiropractic

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Medicine

Nursing

Pre-Occupation Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician Assistant

Public Health

Pre-Veterinary Science

Online Certificate Programs

Schreiner University also offers Online Certification Programs.
Online classes on your time, on any device, anywhere you happen to be.

Comprehensive Career Programs | Externship Opportunities | Payment Plan Options | Certification Opportunities

Start your health career strong with one-on-one advising and peer support in the Health Professions Community!

The goal of the health professions program at Schreiner University is to support and advocate for students as they undergo the highly-competitive application process for professional schools. We are committed to assisting students in reaching their goals by offering application support, mock interviews, and feedback on personal statements throughout this intricate process.

Additionally, Schreiner University maintains a number of cooperative partnership programs with professional schools, including Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), University of Incarnate Word (UIW), and Texas A&M University Health Science Center, that guarantee eligible students interviews and/or admission to specific programs of study.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Health Professions Coordinator with any additional questions about the opportunities Schreiner University has to offer or about your journey to becoming a health professional.

Download – Health Professions Digital Booklet – PDF

First and foremost, your grades are crucial. Most professional schools look for overall GPAs of 3.5 or higher, and for certain programs, a GPA of 3.85 may be necessary to stay competitive. Thus, it’s essential that you stay motivated, focus on your physical and mental health, reach out for help, and actively monitor your studying habits and academic performance.

Second, health professions schools typically require an entrance exam, such as the MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE. Navigating all these abbreviations can be overwhelming, but there’s no need to stress. The health professions coordinator can provide guidance on which test is most appropriate for you, when to begin your preparation, and the best strategies for studying. Timing your entrance exam is essential for success in the application process. Taking these exams too early may result in a lack of readiness, while waiting too long can lead to unnecessary stress and potentially missing application deadlines.

Third, most programs want to ensure you have a genuine understanding of the profession. It’s crucial to gain experience by working in the field or shadowing a professional. These experiences should allow you to write confidently about your understanding of the patients you’ll serve, the care you’ll provide, and any particular subfield within the profession that interests you.

Fourth, the health professions are centered around service. Our motto is “Learning By Heart so You Can Serve With Heart.” It’s essential to have a strong passion for caring for others and contributing to your community. During your time at Schreiner, engaging in meaningful service will not only enhance your application to professional schools but also prepare you to be a compassionate and effective health professional.

FAQ

Attending Schreiner University offers several key benefits for pre-health profession students. Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention, allowing you to build strong relationships with faculty who are dedicated to your success and can provide highly personalized reference letters for your future applications. The close-knit learning environment also fosters meaningful interactions and tailored support throughout your academic journey. Our liberal arts approach enriches your education with a broad perspective, while our focus on community engagement offers practical experience in the medical field. Additionally, our dedicated health professions coordinator provides expert guidance to help you achieve your career goals. Combined with our commitment to ethical and compassionate care, Schreiner University prepares you to excel in healthcare by integrating practical learning with a strong ethical foundation.

General lectures begin at around 25-30 students and decrease as you progress through more advanced courses. All science lab courses will be under 30 students for your entire Schreiner experience.

You can pursue a variety of healthcare careers through our programs and partnerships, including pre-medical, pre-chiropractic, pre-dental, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, communication disorders, pre-veterinary science, pre-physician assistant, pre-athletic training, and nursing.

There is no specific major required for professional schools, but most students pursuing these programs choose majors like biology, chemistry, nursing, psychology, or exercise science, as these degrees include the prerequisites for most health professions programs. Professional programs look for intelligent, motivated, well-rounded students who demonstrate academic success, particularly in prerequisite science courses, rather than a particular major. It’s important to research the admission requirements for your desired professional program to ensure you earn all required credits.

  • The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is a partnership between undergraduate institutions and Texas medical schools. JAMP guarantees eligible students admission to at least one participating medical school, and it provides students with scholarships, MCAT preparation resources, and internship opportunities.
  • Eligible students must have enrolled at a participating Texas university
    immediately following their high school graduation. Furthermore, as a freshman in college, the student must complete at least 27 hours of undergraduate credit with a 3.25 GPA or higher. Lastly, the student must receive a specific financial score on their FAFSA per the eligibility requirements set by JAMP. Visit the JAMP Page for more information.

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Start by meeting with the health careers program coordinator to begin mapping out your four-year plan and to inquire about available opportunities and/or resources at Schreiner and within the community. Focus on excelling academically, and begin to do research on the professional program you’d like to pursue after your undergraduate degree. Lastly, become a reader. Reading non-fiction literature can be very beneficial for MCAT preparation by improving your critical thinking skills, sharpening your reading comprehension, and expanding your vocabulary.

Students pursuing nursing start and end their career journey at Schreiner University. Students begin their first two years as pre-nursing students dedicated to completing prerequisite coursework before applying to the Nursing program at Schreiner University. Accepted students are reassigned as nursing students, dedicating their final two years to clinical training before earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Schreiner University does not offer a degree in any healthcare specialization, such as MD, PharmD or DDS. Students seeking careers in other health professions earn a four-year degree from Schreiner University to meet the prerequisite coursework to apply to professional schools.

Students interested in healthcare should begin researching career options and education requirements. Some helpful websites to aid in this process are linked below:

Students traditionally take Admission Tests in the spring or summer of their junior year. Students should time their MCAT exam carefully, ensuring they have completed key coursework and prepared thoroughly. Taking the MCAT too early can result in poor scores due to inadequate preparation, while taking it too late may delay applications, reducing admission chances.

Applications for medical school are usually submitted in the summer between junior and senior year, around June. Deadlines may vary depending on different schools or specific programs, but the health professions coordinator at Schreiner University can help you in developing an application timeline.

Stop by the Cailloux Campus Activity Center (CCAC) #250 at Schreiner University to meet with the Health Professions Program Coordinator, or reach out to him with your questions.

Alumni Achievement in Health Professions

Jana DeJesus

Jana DeJesus, M.D.

VIEW PROFILE

Jana DeJesus, M.D.

General Surgery Resident
(PGY-3) at UTMB

SU Class ‘14

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Benjamin T. Enslow

Benjamin T. Enslow, M.D.

VIEW PROFILE

Benjamin T. Enslow, M.D.

Assistant Professor at Saint Mary’s University

SU Class ‘14

Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio

Shelby Spenrath

Shelby Spenrath, D.O., M.S.

VIEW PROFILE

Shelby Spenrath, D.O., M.S.

Family Medicine Physician OB/Women’s Health Fellowship

SU Class ‘16

The University of the Incarnate Word School Osteopathic Medicine

Matthew Jepson

Matthew Jepson, D.O.

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Matthew Jepson, D.O.

Cardiologist at Austin Heart Fredericksburg

SU Class ‘10

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM)

Avery Gil

Avery Gil, D.D.S., M.S.

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Avery Gil, D.D.S., M.S.

Orthodontist at Becher & Gil Orthodontics

SU Class ‘12

University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston

Angela L. Schladöer

Angela L. Schladoer, D.P.M.

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Angela L. Schladoer, D.P.M.

Podiatric Physician at Private Practice

SU Class ‘01

Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Michael Stewart II

Michael Stewart II, MD

VIEW PROFILE

Michael Stewart II, MD

Physician, Sports Medicine Specialist at Bardin Road Specialty Clinics

SU Class ‘14

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Laryssa Bonilla

Laryssa Bonilla, DrPH, MS, CHES

VIEW PROFILE

Laryssa Bonilla, DrPH, MS, CHES

Deputy Director of Pitkin County Public Health

SU Class ‘14

Loma Linda University
Texas A&M University

Margie Diaz-Ochu

Margie Diaz-Ochu, MD

VIEW PROFILE

Margie Diaz-Ochu, MD

Pediatrician at BeeHome Pediatrics

SU Class ‘05

UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School

Contact

Salinas, Victor

Image/Picture
Victor Salinas
Health Professions Program Coordinator
Academic Affairs
830-792-7436
vsalinas@schreiner.edu
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