Female BSHP student assisting patient

BSHP Prerequisite Requirements

BSHP students gain unparalleled experiences at Mayo Clinic, where health professionals address the well-being and treatment needs of patients from around the world each day.

The BSHP Program is a junior-admitting, full-time clinical program.

To be eligible for application to the Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) program, students must complete all prerequisite courses and University of Minnesota General Education requirements. Courses must be completed or in progress at the time of application.

Prerequisite Course Planning

Check out the appropriate Prerequisite Course Planning Chart to see the courses that meet the necessary requirements at your institution.

To help you with your course planning, we have created Prerequisite Course Planning Charts specific to the schools from which most of our students tend to come. These charts list the specific courses you should take at your institution to be eligible to apply for admission to the BSHP program.

    • Anatomy & Physiology II or [Human] Physiology, with lab*
    • Anatomy and Physiology II or [Human] Physiology, with lab*
    • College Algebra (or higher level math course)
    • General Chemistry, with lab*
    • Physics, with lab*
    • Statistics*
    • English Composition
    • Ethics or Medical Ethics
    • Medical Terminology
    • Public Speaking

Grade of a C- or higher is required in all prerequisite coursework.

Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher is required to be considered for admission to this program.

Overall GPA and *STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math--all course attempts in the past 5 years are included in the calculation) GPA are both considered in the admission process.

If you cannot find a guide for your school, you may request to have completed coursework evaluated by the Office for Admissions for possible transfer to the degree. Please email your academic transcript(s) from all schools attended (unofficial is acceptable) to [email protected]. The Prerequisite Course Planning Chart will be returned to you indicating which course requirements you have met and which ones remain to be completed. An official evaluation of transfer credits will be completed only after a student is officially admitted to the degree program.

Patient Care Requirement

Students applying to Echocardiography and Sonography must complete the patient care coursework that qualifies them to take the exam for one medical profession certification. Sonography students must also pass the relevant certification exam; Echocardiography students are only required to take the coursework. Students in the other programs are not required to complete a patient-care course, however, applicants who have patient care experience will be more competitive. 

Examples of coursework/certifications meeting the prerequisite requirements for Echocardiography and Sonography include, but are not limited to:

    • Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.)
    • Registered Medical Assistant (R.M.A.)
    • Registered Nurse (R.N.)
    • Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.)
    • Certified EMT
    • Respiratory Therapist
    • Radiologic Technologist R.T.(R) or senior radiography student

General Education

General Education requirements consist of a set of "core areas" and "themes" that must be completed in your lower division coursework. Prerequisite courses for the BSHP may overlap to fulfill General Education requirements, however, students will need to ensure they are meeting all areas and themes in elective courses. GE requirements can also be satisfied by completing an Associate of Arts degree of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. To find out what courses at other institutions meet GE requirements, please check the General Education transfer guides.

MnSCU students: You may follow the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), which will be accepted as fulfilling GE requirements. However, students may choose individual courses that meet the GE requirements in less time and fewer credits. Please contact the Office for Admissions, [email protected] or 1-877-280-4699 if you are unsure which option is best for you.

    • Arts and Humanities
    • Civic Life and Ethics
    • Diversity and Social Justice in the US
    • Global Perspectives
    • Historical Perspectives
    • Literature
    • The Environment