Academic Preparation

Certain Northeastern courses may fulfill health professional program prerequisites even when their titles, credit structures, or departmental classifications differ from traditional requirements.

Course Title Variations

Course titles often vary by institution. For example, Northeastern’s Foundations of Biology may be considered equivalent to General Biology at other institutions. While health professional programs commonly accept equivalent coursework, substitutions generally must fall within the same or a closely related subject area.

General Chemistry

Northeastern’s integrated General Chemistry (CHEM 1161/1162 or CHEM 1151/1212) course encompasses most learning objectives traditionally covered across two semesters of General Chemistry. This coursework is widely accepted by allopathic medical schools and commonly accepted by other health professional programs as fulfilling their General Chemistry prerequisites.

Statistics

Most health professional programs accept statistics courses offered across a variety of academic departments, not just Mathematics. Unless a program specifies a particular course or departmental requirement, students may generally fulfill this prerequisite through any statistics course.

Writing Requirements

Many health professional programs accept coursework in the humanities or social sciences to fulfill writing prerequisites, even when courses are offered outside the English Department. Examples include philosophy, history, sociology, psychology, political science, and communication studies. Students should review individual program requirements to determine whether specific English courses are required or whether other writing-intensive coursework is acceptable.

Medical Terminology

Although Northeastern does not offer a standalone Medical Terminology course in the undergraduate day program, Basic Clinical Skills (HLTH 1203) includes comprehensive instruction in medical terminology using Jane Rice’s Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals. This course is widely accepted as fulfilling health professional programs’ medical terminology prerequisite.

Important: Prerequisite requirements and course acceptance policies vary by program. Students are responsible for confirming that their coursework meets the requirements of their schools of interest and should consult their PreHealth Advisor regarding any exceptions. 

For additional guidance, please refer to our Northeastern University Coursework page.

Health professional programs may have different policies regarding when, where, and how prerequisite coursework is completed. Students should consider these requirements when planning their academic schedules.

Completing Prerequisites Before Applying

Some health professional programs require all prerequisites to be completed before applying, while others allow limited coursework to remain in progress until matriculation. However, programs may prefer applicants who have completed their requirements at the time of application.

Whenever possible, students are encouraged to complete prerequisite coursework before taking their entrance exam to ensure adequate preparation.

Coursework Outside Northeastern or After Graduation

Health professional programs generally accept prerequisite coursework completed at other institutions or after graduation, including courses taken as a non-degree-seeking student. Applicants must submit official transcripts from every institution attended.

Students seeking to transfer external coursework toward their Northeastern degree or use it to satisfy prerequisites for NU courses should first consult their Academic Advisor.

Community College Coursework

Many health professional programs accept community college coursework, particularly when completed before enrolling in a four-year institution. However, some programs prefer or require prerequisites from four-year institutions. Students should confirm individual program policies before enrolling.

Online Coursework

Students are strongly encouraged to complete laboratory science prerequisites in person, as many health professional programs restrict or do not accept online labs. Some programs made exceptions for coursework completed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students should review individual program policies regarding online coursework.

Pass/Fail Grading

Students are strongly discouraged from taking prerequisite courses using the Pass/Fail grading option. Many health professional programs require letter grades to verify that minimum prerequisite grade requirements have been met.

Summer Coursework

Students may complete prerequisites during summer terms. Northeastern’s summer courses are taught by faculty and maintain the same academic rigor as fall and spring offerings, making them a recommended option.

Students considering summer coursework elsewhere should consult their Academic Advisor regarding transfer credit eligibility and prioritize courses at four-year institutions with comparable academic rigor.

Important: Policies regarding prerequisite completion, course format, and institutional eligibility vary by health professional program. Students are responsible for reviewing the requirements of their schools of interest before enrolling in coursework.