Students go over anatomy models during class lab in human anatomy class.

Pre-Health Sciences Degree, AS

Get the core knowledge and skills you need to enter a health science program in just two years with San Juan College's Associate of Science (AS) degree in Pre-Health Sciences. This degree will help you transfer to health science programs at SJC or other institutions. You can go on to enter many allied health fields, such as dental hygiene and nursing. Start your journey towards a rewarding and in-demand career as an allied health professional today!

Why Complete an Associate Degree in Pre-Health Sciences?

If you want to enter an allied health field, the Pre-Health Sciences AS is a beneficial degree for you. Allied health professionals work to support physicians and other primary care providers in delivering quality patient care. By completing the two-year associate degree, you'll have the foundational knowledge to apply to allied health programs, from nursing to dental hygiene. You also may be able to transfer credits into the program so you can complete it more quickly.

By completing an associate degree in pre-health sciences, you can apply to programs in:

Dental hygiene
Medical assisting
Nursing
Nutrition and dietetics
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Radiology technology
Respiratory therapy

If you are interested in becoming a medical doctor, surgeon, dentist, or veterinarian, check out our Medical Sciences AS. If you want to become a pharmacist, learn about our Pre-Pharmacy AS.

Why Earn a Pre-Health Sciences Degree at San Juan College?

Receive Individual Attention

One of the biggest advantages of attending SJC is our small classroom sizes. Unlike larger schools, we do not offer introductory science courses in lecture halls with 100 or more students. Instead, you'll receive individual attention from our expert instructors, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, clarify concepts, and join one-on-one office hours.

Transfer to SJC or a Four-Year School

Prepare for an in-depth allied health science degree at SJC or another school. Our Pre-Health Sciences AS includes prerequisite and required courses for many programs. In most cases, you'll be able to transfer course credits from SJC. This means you can finish your program quickly so you can start your career.

The Pre-Health Sciences AS degree meets most of the prerequisites for SJC health science programs. We encourage you to check with an advisor to ensure you have all the credits you need to apply.

Affordable Pathway to an Allied Health Profession

Because of SJC's low tuition rates, the Pre-Health Sciences AS two-year degree is an excellent investment for you. You'll get the knowledge and skills you need to prepare for the next steps in your career. You may also qualify to get your degree tuition-free through the NM Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships.

What You'll Learn

Prepare to apply or transfer to a health science program with the Pre-Health Sciences AS. It gives you the knowledge and skills you need to understand this essential and rewarding career. Core courses include:

Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (Includes labs)
Microbiology (Includes lab)

The Pre-Health Sciences AS degree gives you the choice of several program core electives to align with your healthcare area of interest, including:

Developmental Psychology
General Chemistry I for STEM Majors (Includes lab)
Human Nutrition
Medical Terminology
Pathophysiology

Additionally, the associate degree includes the following general education requirements:

Composition I and II
Introduction to Psychology
Survey of Mathematics or College Algebra
A humanities course
A fine arts course

Pre-Health Sciences Degree AS Curriculum

Transfer Options

As a Pre-Health Sciences AS graduate, you have a variety of options for what to do with your degree. You can apply to many health programs at San Juan College, such as:

You can also transfer your credits to a four-year college or university to earn your bachelor's degree. Previous graduates have been accepted to:

Diné College
Fort Lewis College
The University of New Mexico

Whatever program you choose, we strongly encourage you to meet with your academic advisor. They will help you stay on track to graduate and complete all course requirements.

Learn More About the Transfer Process

Careers and Outcomes for Pre-Health Sciences Students

Make a difference in patient care by entering the healthcare field. Our graduates are prepared for more advanced science and health courses at allied health programs and four-year schools.

To enroll in the Associate of Science in Pre-Health Sciences degree courses, you must first apply to San Juan College. It's easy, and you can apply online at any time!

Apply Now

If you are already a student at San Juan College, talk to your advisor about our Pre-Health Sciences AS program. You can also discuss your transfer options.

Find Your Advisor