Successful applicants to health professions programs come from a wide variety of academic backgrounds. There is no required or preferred major for medical, dental, or other health professions programs, and students are not required to major in a science field. Instead, you are encouraged to choose a major that aligns with your interests, strengths, and academic goals while allowing you to complete the necessary prerequisite coursework.

Many pre-health students choose majors in the biological sciences. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), approximately 58% of medical school applicants major in a biological sciences field. However, students from a wide range of majors—including humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences—successfully gain admission to medical and other health professions programs. In fact, students from non-biological science majors often demonstrate stronger academic performance and application outcomes (e.g. scoring higher on the MCAT and having higher matriculation rates).

At UConn, many pre-health students major in Biological Sciences disciplines, with common majors including Physiology and Neurobiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Biological Sciences. However, our pre-health community includes students from across the university and represents a broad range of academic interests.

Examples of majors chosen by UConn pre-health students include:

• STEM related fields: Allied Health Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Pathobiology, and Psychological Sciences
• Non-STEM fields: Anthropology, Economics, English, French, Music, Sociology, and many others

Students may also explore Individualized Majors  if they have interdisciplinary interests that do not fit within an existing major. Past individualized majors have included areas such as Medical Ethics and Genetics, Art, Activism, and Globalization. More information about individualized and interdisciplinary studies—including health-related options—is available through the Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program.

Can I have a second major or minor?

Absolutely! Many pre-health students choose to add a second major or minor to explore additional interests and broaden their academic experience. Approximately 15% of health professions applicants pursue a secondary major, with examples including Healthcare Management, Sociology, Spanish, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

More than 40% of applicants also complete one or more minors. Popular minor areas among pre-health students include Bioinformatics, English, Healthcare Management and Insurance Studies, Human Rights, and Global Studies.

Adding a second major or minor requires careful planning to ensure you can complete all academic requirements while maintaining balance. Students interested in pursuing additional areas of study should work closely with both their academic advisor and the Pre-Professional Advising Office.

For information about double major requirements within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR), please consult the appropriate academic resources. Students interested in pursuing a dual degree or majors across different schools or colleges should speak with their major advisor and academic dean.

Need help choosing a major?

Your major should reflect who you are—not just what you think professional schools want to see. If you would like to discuss your academic interests, course planning, or how your major fits into your health professions goals, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with a Pre-Professional Advising Office advisor.