Choosing A Major
Doctorate Level Health Professions
(medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, veterinary)
There is no preferred major when applying to the doctorate level health professions. At most colleges and universities, including Stony Brook, there is no “premedical major” or “pre-health major.” You can major in anything you want as long as you complete the prerequisites to apply to these programs.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a major:
- What topics do you find interesting?
- Does this course of study fit your style and academic background?
- Does this major curriculum have any overlap with the required prerequistes for your program of interest?
- You may want to avoid choosing a major which has a course of study that would make it difficult or impossible to complete your pre-health prerequistes at the level of quality or within the time frame you need
You are encouraged to meet with departments of your interest and read about their curriculum in the undergraduate catalog. The Career Center also has great information on how majors and careers are related.
Masters Level Health Professions
(ie. physician assistant, occupational therapy)
Just like the doctorate level health professions, there is no preferred major when applying to masters level professions such as occupational therapy and physician assistant. You can major in anything you want as long as you complete the pre-requisites to apply to these programs. Please see the information above for suggestions on choosing a major.
Bachelor Level Health Professions
(ie. nursing, athletic training, respiratory care etc.)
If you are planning to apply to a program that is a bachelors degree (athletic training, nursing, respiratory care, social work, etc.), you may want or need to declare a different major while you are completing your pre-requisites for these programs. If you apply to the program of your choice but don’t get in the first time around, you still need to make progress towards your degree. You are not, for example, a “nursing major” until you formally apply and are accepted into a nursing program. Speak to an advisor for more information on planning your courses and possible back up majors.
You may also need to have a major declared to be eligible for some financial aid programs. You should speak to someone in the Office of Student Financial Aid Services to see if this applies to you.