You’re interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Now is a great time to pursue a career healthcare with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 14 percent rise in healthcare jobs by 2028 largely because of the aging population.
But you’re exploring what is the right career for you. When it comes to preparing for your career in medicine, you may be confused about what the difference is between pre-health and pre-med programs and asking how they might intersect.
Both pre-health and pre-med are programs aimed at providing students interested in a career in medicine with foundational experience. The confusion arises because they are often used interchangeably as part of an undergraduate or certificate track.
What’s the difference between pre-health and pre-medicine?
Pre-med programs are specifically designed to prepare you for medical school. Pre-health programs also can prepare you for medical school, but can represent a broader spectrum of careers including: Physician Assistants, Dentists, Pharmacy technicians, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs).
Other differences include:
- Increased Flexibility. Pre-health programs offer greater flexibility than pre-med programs. Pre-health certificate programs can be completed in as little as eight to 12 weeks and are often interactive, online and self-paced.
- Career Changers. Pre-health programs are often post undergraduate and specialize in working with career changers.
Find out more about how a pre-medicine certificated can help you build a powerful foundation and boost your chances of getting accepted in medical school here.
