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Prerequisite Courses for Healthcare and Life Sciences Careers

Be prepared for degree programs with comprehensive prerequisite courses from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). Taught by MCPHS faculty, prerequisite course students experience the same quality education MCPHS has been delivering to degree students since 1823.

These courses provide students with an opportunity to fulfill health-related degree program entry requirements or simply explore the sciences, and are specifically designed to accommodate the schedules and lives of our prerequisite students.

Why MCPHS?

Accreditation: MCPHS is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Competitive Pricing: New self-paced, online students are eligible to receive a 50% reduction in the cost of tuition for one self-paced, online prerequisite course. The discount is not available for semester-based, on-campus prerequisite courses. Please complete the request discount form to receive the discount code.

Easy to Get Started: No application process is required. Simply select your course and register. Once registered, you can begin the course within two business days.

Flexibility: You can study on your own schedule to complete the course within 16 weeks of registering. Enjoy the flexibility to spend more time on concepts you find challenging or interesting.

High Student Satisfaction: Student satisfaction survey results from July 1, 2021 – July 1, 2022.

  • Blackboard Usability – 4.84/5
  • Instructor Communication – 4.82/5
  • Learning Experience – 4.78/5

Online: Work from anywhere, at any time.

Course Format

Self-directed, online course: Work around your schedule with self-directed prerequisite courses. Enjoy the flexibility to spend more time on concepts you find challenging or interesting. Just as rigorous as semester-based, on-campus courses, our online prerequisite courses are hosted on Blackboard, an online learning platform. You will have the support of instructors, 24/7 online tutoring, and the MCPHS School of Professional Studies team. Instructors are available for weekly office hours as well as one-on-one meetings by appointment. The School of Professional Studies team will respond within 1-2 business days if you need additional support.

Timelines: Coursework must be completed within 16 weeks of registering. You may register at any time, and you will receive access to your course within 2 business days. Although there is not a required set schedule, we recommend you begin your coursework within a week of registering so you have enough time to complete the course requirements. Even if you believe that you are able to complete the coursework quickly, our faculty still need time to provide feedback and grade assignments and assessments.

After completing the course, it typically takes 1-2 weeks for your instructor to submit your final grade and for it to be verified by the Registrar’s Office. When your grade is posted, you will receive an email with instructions for how to view your final grade and request a transcript.

If you have any questions, please email professionalstudies@mcphs.edu or call 339.236.2605.

Get Started

Once you’ve selected your course of interest and are ready to register, all that’s left is to create your account and pay the tuition fees.

Create your account and begin the registration process here.

You'll be asked to create a username and password, provide some basic personal information, and pay the course's tuition.

Courses run at a rate of $480 per credit hour. The School of Professional Studies offers reduced tuition options to new MCPHS students.

New students are eligible to receive a 50% reduction in the cost of tuition for one course. Please complete the request discount form to learn more about this opportunity.

Degree applicants who have been admitted to a degree program and paid their enrollment deposit are eligible to receive a 50% reduction in the cost of tuition for any prerequisite course that the Admission Office has indicated must be completed prior to starting the degree program. Please contact the Admission Office at 617.879.5964 (Boston), 508.373.5607 (Worcester) or 603.314.1701 (Manchester) for more information.

Create your account and begin the registration process here.

Students can receive a full tuition refund if they drop a course within five business days of registering. Course changes will also be allowed during this five-day window.

After the five-day window closes (and up until the course's completion date), students may choose to withdraw from the course without a refund. This would result in a "W" on their student record.

Questions about our self-paced and on-campus prerequisite courses? Connect with the School of Professional Studies at professionalstudies@mcphs.edu or 339.236.2605.

 Register Now

Calculus student Tori.

"I really enjoyed the flexibility of having the opportunity to complete assignments as quickly as I wanted. Also, the professor was very responsive whenever I had a question."

— Tori, Calculus I

Anatomy & Physiology I student Kevin.

"The flexibility was perfect for me. Rather than taking a class where everything was due on Sunday night, I was able to fit my studies exactly to my schedule, which changed on a weekly basis."

— Kevin, Anatomy & Physiology I

MCPHS Student Nicole

"I loved this class and had so much ease with it because of the thoroughness."

— Nicole, Cellular Biochemistry

Sendy

"This was the first time I have ever taken an online self-paced course. It was very convenient and worked well with my timeline. You still learn everything you had to, but at your own pace and convenience."

— Sendy, Statistics

School of Professional Studies student Christine.

"The online, self-paced format was a perfect fit for me while working a full time job. I believe that the length of time to complete the course was adequate and the resources provided were very helpful."

— Christina, Anatomy & Physiology I Lecture and Lab

Megan L., Medical Terminology student.

"I really enjoy the online, self-paced format of the courses because I can establish my own timeline and spend either more or less time on particular areas."

— Megan, Medical Terminology

 

Be Prepared for Degree Programs

Female MCPHS Student

Learn more about MCPHS prerequisite courses for healthcare & life sciences careers.

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