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Pre-Medical Program
If your goal is to become a doctor, Dordt’s Pre-Med program will challenge and equip you every step of the way. With rigorous science courses, hands-on experiences like our undergraduate cadaver lab, and personalized advising, you’ll be well-prepared for the demands of medical school and beyond. But what sets Dordt apart is how your training is shaped by a Christian worldview—helping you think deeply about what it means to serve others through medicine with compassion, integrity, and purpose. At Dordt, you won’t just study to get into med school—you’ll learn to become a doctor who makes a difference.
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Program Overview
The comprehensive training you'll get at Dordt can pave your way to medical school. At Dordt, you’ll get the personal assistance you need. You’ll work closely with faculty as you develop expertise in your field. And you’ll develop an understanding of how God wants to use your unique skills and abilities for his glory.
Students accepted into medical programs today should have strong academic backgrounds, know about solving complex problems, understand good relationships, act with integrity and honesty, and be involved in their communities. These characteristics are best developed at an institution where a core curriculum provides an education with breadth. Dordt's Core Program and Christian perspective will give you a framework and a solid knowledge base for your professional studies.
What opportunities can I pursue with a pre-medicine concentration at Dordt?
A pre-medicine concentration at Dordt includes the prerequisite courses you need for professional medical programs after you graduate and earn your bachelor's degree.
Many of our graduates have been accepted at regional medical schools such as the University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, Des Moines University, and the University of South Dakota. Others have gone to universities in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Wisconsin, Alberta, and Ontario.
Medical Doctor (M.D.)
Physicians are trained to provide acute and preventative care to patients, including diagnosing disease, supervising care, and prescribing treatment. Their training includes general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family practice. After they complete medical school and general residency, some physicians participate in additional training in specific areas (Cardiologist, Dermatologist, Psychiatrist, etc.). This background enables them to provide advanced and focused patient care.
Physician Assistant (P.A.)
Physician Assistants are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Within the physician/PA relationship, P.A.s exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. P.A.s are generalists in medicine, emphasizing primary care. P.A.s are qualified to: take medical histories, order laboratory tests, diagnose and treat illness, give medical advice, counsel patients, perform physical exams, assist in surgery, and set fractures.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine, including primary care, surgery, and specialty fields. Like M.D.s, D.O.s diagnose and treat illness, prescribe medications, and perform procedures. In addition to standard medical training, D.O.s receive specialized instruction in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2024 Career Outcome Rate was 99.3%! “The entire campus is engaged in the work of discipleship,” said Amy Westra, Director of Career Development. “Providing a Christian education focused on Christ-centered renewal is owned by all faculty and staff.”
Pre-Medical Program
Most pre-med students major in biology or chemistry. Your academic advisor will help you meet application deadlines, choose your courses, select the appropriate medical school, and write recommendations for you. Your advisor stays up-to-date on new developments in admission procedures to professional schools.
You will be mentored by professors who have worked at places such as Mayo Health. Similar to the interdisciplinary care teams found in healthcare, you will also study science alongside history, English, communication, philosophy, psychology, and the arts—all taught in the light of God's Word. This will help you understand how the world fits together and give you additional ways to serve in the medical field. The knowledge you gain in your courses will open your eyes and heart to the needs and concerns of others, and prepare you to help and heal them through your work.
- Dordt will give you an excellent science education. Smaller class sizes mean that you'll get more attention from professors and they will be able to write you more personal recommendations.
- Dordt's program teaches you to treat whole people, not just their injuries, giving you a foundation for growing as a capable, loving, just, and ethical caregiver.
- Dordt is large enough to offer a wide variety of ways for you to get involved and small enough to make it easy to do so. Explore athletics, journalism, music, student government, theatre, volunteering, and more.
- In the past, pre-health students have traveled to places like Tanzania for service opportunities through AMOR. Healthcare off-campus study programs also exist in Uganda and Oxford.
- Students work closely with the faculty to participate in mentored research aligned with their interests. Many students earn a stipend for their participation in summer projects and go on to publish or present on their work.
- The Career Development Center helps students gain relevant part-time patient care jobs and shadowing experiences that enhance students’ medical school applications.
The Pre-Health Professions Club (PHPC) will help you get to know other pre-med students. Members help each other with course planning, MCAT preparation, and medical school applications. The club brings in practicing doctors, current medical school students, and medical school recruiters to learn more about the profession and give helpful advice. It also organizes field trips to pre-med conferences and regional medical facilities.
PHPC’s events are geared toward students in the Pre-Health Professions Program including pre-medical students. This club provides students with additional skills and experiences that will enhance their preparedness for medical school. PHPC aspires to create a strong community amongst the pre-health students based on love and understanding, that seeks to lift one another up and give each other much-needed support in the confusion and uncertainty of pre-requisite courses and applying to health professional programs. This club is focused on collaborative healthcare and interprofessional development across pre-health students by planning and supporting activities that showcase teamwork and collaboration in healthcare.
For more information, please contact PHPC@dordt.edu.
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Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Science and Technology Center
Science and Technology Center: While studying pre-medical, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building," the Science and Technology Center is home to Dordt's 180-seat lecture hall. Pre-medicine students also have access to a cadaver lab that provides hands-on opportunities to learn human anatomy.
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Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Connect with us
Submit your information to request more information about Dordt and this program. We'll also use this information to connect you with your admissions counselor!
Plus, we'll send you our e-book, "Top Things to Consider in a Pre-Medical Program." 🙌
Related Program Options
Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
