Pre-Health
Pre-Health Pathways at Doane
At Doane, ‘pre-health’ is not a major, but a comprehensive, personalized advising pathway that works seamlessly with any academic major. While students often choose to major in a natural or social science field, students can pursue any major so long as the prerequisite coursework for their professional goals is met.
At a small school, we offer something larger schools cannot: close, one-on-one relationships with faculty advisors who know you by name and understand your unique goals. Navigating the path to health professions can be challenging, but through the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC), you'll work closely with faculty who are invested in your success. These aren't just advisors—they're mentors who will guide you through every step of preparing for your next steps – from day one, to graduation and beyond.
Preparing pre-health students
- Our close-knit campus shapes competitive applicants through holistic development: academic rigor, professional preparation, and interpersonal growth.
- Direct faculty access that encourages relationships with professors who serve as advisors, research mentors, and professional references
- Real-world experience including opportunities for clinical shadowing, research, and volunteer work in healthcare setting.
- Pre-health community through our student-led Health and Medical Occupations Club, where you can connect with peers on the same journey.
- High-impact learning through guaranteed undergraduate research opportunities, including grant-funded programs such as INBRE and DIVAS, human cadaver interaction and dissection, and advanced laboratory courses with modern equipment and techniques.
Minor in Pre-Health
The pre-health minor is a great supplement to any major and allows students to gain a specific wealth of knowledge that is healthcare focused.
• Find your identify as a pre-health professional through an immersive exploration of health professions. Speakers, shadowing, and portfolio construction are all included
• Become fluent in medical terminology through an 8-week online course.
• Contemplate the most pressing issues and ethical dilemmas in health care
• Build your toolbox of skills through interdisciplinary electives
Certificates
Build your portfolio with a certificate in Narrative Medicine, Humanities or Spanish for Healthcare.
Undergraduate Research
At Doane, research is built into the curriculum, so every student has the opportunity to participate.
• Development of technical and interpersonal transferrable skills
• Build close relationships with peers and faculty mentors
• Integrate scientific knowledge in a hands-on setting
Student-led Health and Medical Occupations Club
Collaborate with other pre-professional students by strengthening your interpersonal skills.
• Organize and participate in service-learning opportunities
• Gain leadership experience
• Peer-to-peer mentorship with upperclassmen
• Exclusive advice from alumni and professionals in the field
Nebraska Methodist College Partnership
Doane pre-health students seeking a career in nursing can transition seamlessly from Doane to Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), the #2 nursing school in Nebraska, by way of the NMC one-year Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program.
4 YEARS, 2 DEGREES
Pre-Health Bachelors, Doane University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nebraska Methodist College
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Learn Here, Work Here: ABSN Sponsorship
Free school starting day one. Guaranteed employment upon graduation. ALL tuition, fees and books covered in exchange for a 4-year work commitment at one of the four MHS hospital locations.
Kathleen Montgomery Memorial ABSN Scholarship
$7,500 to applicants who demonstrate either: academic merit -or- financial need.
| Upfront, No-Application Merit Scholarships: ABSN | |
| Scholarship Amount | Cumulative College GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) |
| $5,000 | >=3.6 |
| $4,000 | >=3.2 |
| $3,000 | >=3.0 |
YOUR NEXT STEPS TO A 2ND DEGREE IN 4 YEARS
Discuss prerequisites for the NMC ABSN program with your Doane advisor before the spring semester
Tour NMC campus, your Doane advisor will help you coordinate a tour
Apply by February 6 for priority consideration (standard application deadline: 07/10/26)
Career Information
Doane students encounter a wide range of courses, disciplines, and activities that enrich their understanding of the world.
Doane students learn creative ways to connect thinking from different disciplines.
A Doane graduate applies diverse areas of knowledge to real-world problems.
Doane students encounter a wide range of courses, disciplines, and activities that enrich their understanding of the world.
Doane students learn creative ways to connect thinking from different disciplines.
A Doane graduate applies diverse areas of knowledge to real-world problems.
