Pre-Med and Pre-Health Programs

Christopher Newport and Riverside College of Health Sciences (RCHS), a leading hospital system in Hampton Roads, partnered to offer a 3+2 program. Attend CNU for three years and then RCHS for two years, earning a BA in Biology from CNU and a BSN from RCHS.

The dual-degree program paves the way for you to reach your career goals by melding two different and dynamic college experiences: three years at a liberal arts university and two at a premier hospital-based college of health sciences on nearby campuses, both in Newport News.

Riverside intends to immediately offer employment to graduates of the program who meet all other qualifications.

How to Apply

Admission to the program occurs after students enroll at Christopher Newport. Students must maintain a 2.7 GPA (3.0 preferred).

During their sophomore or junior year, depending upon completion of pre-requisites, students will apply to RCHS by January 1 for Fall admission or May 1 for Spring admission.

Requirements for admission to dental school can be completed in three years. The prerequisites for applying to a typical dentistry program include introductory biology, chemistry (including general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry), math (e.g., statistics) and physics. In addition to these courses, we offer many upper-level classes that help prepare you for the Dental School Admission Test. Courses such as microbiology, cell biology, anatomy and physiology, fundamental molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and the cadaver lab provide a strong foundation for success in dental school.

In addition to the coursework, we expect applicants to have some experience in dental settings, and should be able to provide strong letters of recommendation from professors, dentist(s) and others who can attest to your character and attributes. Our Pre-med Scholars Program helps eligible pre-dental students find shadowing opportunities and emphasizes the importance of service in the community.

Traditional pre-med students apply to medical school after their third year of study; it takes three years to complete the prerequisite coursework. The prerequisites for applying to a typical medical program include introductory biology, chemistry (including general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry), math (e.g., statistics) and physics. In addition to these courses, we offer many upper-level classes that help prepare students for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Courses such as microbiology, cell biology, anatomy and physiology, fundamental molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and the cadaver lab provide a strong foundation for success in medical school. We also recommend introductory psychology and sociology courses for MCAT preparation.

In addition to the prerequisite coursework, we expect applicants to have had some experience in medical settings, and should be able to provide strong letters of recommendation from professors, physicians(s) and others who can attest to your character and attributes. Research, volunteer work and a demonstration of commitment to an extracurricular activity are also common achievements among successful applicants. Our Pre-med Scholars Program helps eligible pre-med students find shadowing opportunities and emphasizes the importance of service in the community.

Qualified Pre-med Scholars can apply for early acceptance to Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and/or Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. Successful applicants are guaranteed admission to EVMS, VCOM and/or VCU after graduation from Christopher Newport, as long as you meet the requirements of the program(s).

Occupational therapy admission requirements vary among schools. The prerequisites for applying to a typical occupational therapy program include coursework in anatomy and physiology, psychology, introductory sociology, medical terminology and introductory anthropology. In addition to these courses, we offer many upper-level classes that help prepare you for program admission. Courses such as microbiology, cell biology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, fundamental molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and the cadaver lab provide a strong foundation for success in occupational therapy school.

In addition, applicants must accumulate shadowing experience in multiple occupational therapy settings. Typical settings include hospitals, school systems, rehabilitation facilities and private practices. Hour requirements may vary from school to school, but at least 40 hours in two different occupational therapy settings (80-100 hours total) is required. Applicants must also take the GRE.

Optometrists conduct comprehensive eye examinations to detect and treat the diseases of the eye. They also identify any systemic conditions that may affect the eye and its associated structures.

The general admission requirements for schools of optometry include at least one year of biology, microbiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, English and college math (including statistics and calculus). Applicants to optometry school must take the Optometry Admissions Test.

Requirements for admission to pharmacy school vary among programs. It is critical for prospective applicants to check the specific requirements for each program you intend to apply to. The prerequisites for applying to a typical pharmacy program include coursework in anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry (including general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry), communication, math (statistics and calculus) and physics. In addition to these courses, we offer many upper-level classes that help prepare you for the Pharmacy College Admission Test. Courses such as microbiology, cell biology, fundamental molecular biology, immunology, genetics and the cadaver lab provide a strong foundation for success in pharmacy school.

We expect applicants to have had some experience in pharmacy settings, and should be able to provide strong letters of recommendation from teachers, pharmacist(s) and others who can attest to your character and attributes.

Most physical therapy programs take three years to complete and students graduate with a doctorate. The prerequisites for applying to a typical physical therapy program include coursework in anatomy and physiology, introductory biology, general chemistry, statistics, psychology and physics. In addition to these courses, we offer many upper-level classes that help prepare you for physical therapy school admission. Courses such as microbiology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, cell biology, fundamental molecular biology, immunology, genetics and the cadaver lab provide a strong foundation for success in physical therapy school.

In addition to prerequisite courses, applicants must accumulate a significant number of hours shadowing physical therapists. You must acquire hours in both outpatient and acute-care settings. Hour requirements may vary from school to school, but at least 40 hours in two different physical therapy settings (80-100 hours total) is required. Applicants must also take the GRE.

Christopher Newport has formed a partnership with Old Dominion University’s School of Physical Therapy. Applicants who meet certain criteria are guaranteed admission to ODU’s doctoral program in physical therapy.

A typical graduate PA program lasts approximately 30 months and leads to a master of science in physician assistant studies. The prerequisites for applying to a typical program include coursework in anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry (including general chemistry, organic chemistry and often biochemistry), math (e.g., statistics) and psychology. In addition to these courses, we offer many upper-level classes that help prepare you for physician assistant school admission. Courses such as microbiology, cell biology, fundamental molecular biology, immunology, genetics and the cadaver lab provide a strong foundation for success in physician assistant school.

Prerequisite coursework takes about three years to complete but most students take gap years to accrue the significant number of direct patient contact hours (500+) needed to be a competitive applicant. Volunteer, research and other extracurricular activities are also beneficial. Applicants must also take the GRE. Our Pre-med Scholars Program helps eligible pre-physician assistant students find shadowing opportunities and emphasizes the importance of service in the community.

Christopher Newport has formed a partnership with Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). Applicants who meet certain criteria have the opportunity for early acceptance to EVMS' Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program.

Veterinarians play a major role in the health care of pets, livestock, zoo, sporting and laboratory animals. However, they do a lot more to contribute to the field of health care as a whole. A degree in veterinary medicine can also prepare you for a career in public health, research and epidemiology. Students must complete prerequisite coursework in anatomy, biology, chemistry (including general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry) and physics. In addition to these courses, we offer many upper-level classes that help prepare you for veterinary school admission. Courses such as microbiology, cell biology, animal anatomy and physiology, fundamental molecular biology, immunology, genetics and the cadaver lab provide a strong foundation for success in vet school.

Many hours of experience with animals is paramount. Admission committees look for confidence and competence in animal handling skills. Exposure to a variety of animal groups (e.g., small, large, exotic) is also important. Applicants to veterinary programs must also take the GRE. Our Pre-med Scholars Program helps eligible pre-vet students find shadowing opportunities and emphasizes the importance of service in the community.