Expedition Courses
PreMed & PreHealth Program Expedition Courses
PreMed and PreHealth Expedition Courses are non-credit learning experiences designed to support students at key stages of their pre-health journey.
Offered in sequence, these Expeditions provide structured guidance, practical tools, and targeted resources to help students navigate the pathway to health professional school. Through a combination of career exploration, skill development, mentorship, community building, and application preparation, students gain the knowledge and confidence needed to achieve their goals.
Students may participate in one or more Expedition Courses based on their stage in the pathway, eligibility, and individual interests. Whether delivered through live instruction, experiential learning opportunities, or flexible online formats, Expeditions empower students to create a personalized roadmap toward a future in healthcare.
While Expedition Courses do not appear on the official Northeastern transcript, they offer meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth, peer connection, and preparation for important academic and application milestones.
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Discovering My PreHealth Pathway Seminar is designed to provide first- and second-year undergraduate pre-health learners with an in-depth exploration of their personal values related to their journey to a health professional career. This 6-part series will include live seminars and engaging activities focused on career-life alignment, networking, active citizenship, exploring health careers, and demystifying research. By completing the series of sessions, pre-health learners will have an increased clarity and motivation in the pre-health pathway.
In addition to the seminar sessions, students will participate in an experiential learning component through small-group cohorts (PODs). Each POD is paired with a clinician mentor from Northeastern University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS), providing students with the opportunity to engage in professional mentorship, explore healthcare careers through the lens of practicing clinicians, and build meaningful connections beyond the classroom.
Session Topics
| Session | Topic |
| 1 | Introduction & Career & Life Alignment |
| 2 | Social Collateral |
| 3 | Becoming an Active Citizen |
| 4 | Exploring Health Careers |
| 5 | Demystifying Research |
| 6 | Celebration & Future Plans |
VIEW FALL 2025 DISCOVERY COURSE OUTLINE HERE
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Identify and craft meaningful extracurricular experiences aligned with personal values.
- Confidently build a professional network and conduct informational interviews.
- Engage with the campus and local community to demonstrate an orientation to service.
- Explore and identify the unique features of various health professions.
- Develop a sense of professional identity and related behaviors to prepare for entering the health professional workforce.
- Navigate the complexities of identifying, securing, and beginning in an undergrad research role.
- Create a custom outline of learner’s pre-health pathway for future semesters.
- Appreciate the value of a collaborative, rather than a competitive, pre-health community.
particiPation
The seminar is offered each fall semester on the Boston campus and is delivered through in-person sessions supplemented by online reflection assignments in Canvas. Students enrolled full-time on the Boston campus during the fall semester are eligible to participate and earn a Certificate of Completion.
Interested in participating?
Registration for Fall 2026 opens this summer. Check back in August for program details and the Opt-In Form.
To express interest, complete the Opt-In Form.
Please note:
- Submitting the Opt-In Form does not guarantee participation.
- Space is limited, and selected students will be notified by email.
- Please only opt in if you are committed to completing the program.
- Selected participants will be enrolled in the Canvas course site.
- Attend at least 5 of the 6 seminar sessions. One absence is permitted for any reason (e.g., illness, wellness day, scheduling conflict).
- Complete all 6 seminar action-step assignments in Canvas by the end of the semester.
Students who successfully complete all program requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion.
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Starting the Next Mile: Postbacc Pre-Health Seminar is designed to ease the transition into a postbaccalaureate pre-health program, marking an exciting and pivotal stage in the journey toward a career in the health professions.
This one-day intensive seminar is designed specifically for students in their first year of Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program.
Through a highly interactive and supportive format, the course will foster early connections to the Northeastern pre-health community, Pre-Med and Pre-Health Advising resources, and a network of postbaccalaureate peers. Participants will explore strategies to navigate common challenges, reflect on the unique aspects of the postbacc experience, and cultivate a strong foundation for academic and professional success. The seminar aims to promote a sense of belonging and positive self-perception, key factors in thriving within a rigorous and meaningful pre-health postbaccalaureate pathway.
Seminar Schedule
| Mini Session | Time | Topic |
| 1 | 20 minutes | Welcome to the NU Pre-Health Community! |
| 2 | 30 minutes | The Postbacc Pre-Health Student Experience |
| 3 | 30 minutes | Navigating Return to School Challenges |
| 4 | 15 minutes | Break |
| 5 | 30 minutes | Resources Available to You |
| 6 | 30 minutes | An Asset-Based Approach to Your Postbaccalaureate Journey |
| 7 | 20 minutes | Wrap-Up & Next Steps |
Starting the Next Mile: Postbaccalaureate Pre-Health Seminar Syllabus
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and engage with key pre-health advising staff and PBSA student mentors at the university to begin building a supportive academic and professional network.
- Articulate their identity as a postbaccalaureate learner—whether as a career changer, academic record enhancer, or a combination of both.
- Recognize shared experiences between themselves and their peers, fostering connection and mutual understanding.
- Explore practical strategies for navigating the academic, personal, and logistical challenges common in the postbaccalaureate pre-health journey.
- Locate and utilize internal (university) and external (outside the university) resources that support pre-health learners.
- Adopt an asset-based mindset, appreciating their prior academic and career experiences as strengths on the path toward a health profession.
- Reframe their self-perception, developing confidence in their potential and capabilities as pre-health learners.
- Strengthen their sense of belonging within the Northeastern University pre-health community.
PARTICIPATION
Participation is by invitation only. Eligible students are invited via email and attend the seminar once during their time in the program.
The course will be delivered as a 3-hour live, synchronous session via Zoom. Participants will also gain access to a companion Canvas site to engage with supplemental resources, reflection activities, and follow-up materials.
ABOUT THE COURSES
The Navigating Entrance Exam Preparation self-paced and instructor-led courses are designed to guide students through each phase of entrance exam preparation, offering strategic planning tools, curated resources, and evidence-based approaches to help you prepare efficiently and confidently for either the MCAT or DAT examinations.
These courses are intended to supplement—not replace—your primary study resources. By providing guidance, structure, and accountability, they help students develop an organized preparation plan, strengthen critical reasoning and content mastery, and build confidence as they prepare for this important milestone in the health professional school admissions process.
self-paced
Students are invited to self-enroll in our virtual, asynchronous MCAT or DAT prep courses on Canvas. This course is intended to supplement—not replace—your primary MCAT or DAT study resources.
Key topics include:
- Creating a personalized study plan and timeline
- Selecting and effectively using preparation resources
- Developing content review and practice question strategies
- Understanding the structure and expectations of the exam
- Building sustainable study habits and test-taking skills
Ultimately, this course is designed to help you create an organized and effective preparation strategy, strengthen your content knowledge and critical reasoning skills, and maximize your performance on the exam.
Instructor Led
This hybrid, instructor-led MCAT preparation course is designed for Northeastern University students and alumni who plan to take the MCAT within the next year. Combining live virtual instruction with independent study, the course provides a structured framework to help students navigate the complexities of MCAT preparation while staying accountable to a consistent study schedule.
Led by Northeastern students and alumni who have successfully navigated the MCAT and admissions process, sessions focus on effective study strategies, content review approaches, test-taking skills, and evidence-based preparation techniques. Participants will have opportunities to engage with instructors, ask questions, discuss challenges, and learn from peers pursuing similar goals.
Attendance is expected at all scheduled sessions. Absences may be accommodated with advance notice to the instructor. Virtual meeting information will be provided to registered participants following the registration deadline.
Course Details:
Fall 2026 Course Information will be posted in August!