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PUBLISHED 2026-2027 Credit Catalog
Pre-Health Sciences
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Are you interested in a career in healthcare but aren’t sure where to focus? Our Pre-Health Sciences certificate program allows you to explore different career opportunities and build a related skill set through a variety of foundational courses.
In this program, you will:
- learn the skills, attitudes, and attributes expected of healthcare practitioners
- explore various healthcare professions
- build skills in communications, math, and statistics
- train in the foundations of healthcare practice, including medical terminology, anatomy, and infection control.
In addition to the prescribed curriculum, you’ll complete a set of elective courses, choosing those that most suit your area of interest.
This certificate exposes you to numerous healthcare career pathways, serves as a strong foundation for further education, and helps you build the skills needed to succeed in more specialized programs.
This program also shares courses with several other programs in SAIT’s School of Health and Public Safety, allowing you to receive course credit and get a head start in additional programs, should you choose to continue your education. We encourage you to explore all of our programs to identify these opportunities.
Finally, completing this program may qualify you to meet the academic admission requirements for many of the School of Health and Public Safety’s programs (note that these cases are not limited to programs that share courses with this program). To learn what programs include the Pre-Health Sciences certificate as an option to meet their academic admission requirements, please see the program list in the ‘SAIT program pathways’ information below.
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Traits, skills and aptitudes
Those in the healthcare field tend to be social, methodical, objective, directive and innovative. You need to: - take pride in contributing to a healthy population
- be people-oriented
- be detail-oriented
- be a critical thinker
- have fine motor skills
- work well independently as well as part of a team
- be comfortable handling human blood and tissue
- be able to stand upright for extended periods of time
- be able to perform repetitive movements with your hands, wrists, and arms for extended periods of time
- be able to be comfortable with shift work, including nights and weekends.
SAIT program pathways
This program shares courses with several other programs in SAIT’s School of Health and Public Safety, allowing you to receive course credit and get a head start in additional programs, should you choose to continue your education. We encourage you to explore all of our programs to identify these opportunities. Additionally, completing this program may qualify you to meet the academic admission requirements in the following programs: To learn more about the specifics, please see the Admission Requirements for each of the programs you may be interested in. Specialized intakes
This program is available to international applicants as a stand-alone program or as part of a program bundle - two programs delivered consecutively. For details on available bundles including this program, see international bundle programs. Credential
Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll be awarded a SAIT Pre-Health Sciences certificate. Accepts international applicants - PGWP-eligible
This program accepts international applicants and meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, as long as the student is registered in on-campus classes or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for blended options). International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies. Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and have achieved a minimum score of 50% in each of the following courses or their equivalents: - English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, and
- Math 20-1 or 20-2, and
- Biology 20 and Chemistry 20, or Science 30.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta. Program outline
The Pre-Health Sciences certificate requires 30 credits (11 courses) to complete.
The program spans one year, with two semesters.
Required courses
You must complete all of the following courses. Elective courses
You must complete two of the following courses. Suggested schedule of study
Progression
You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines. Review our grading and progression procedure > Books and supplies
Your books and supplies, including computer requirements, are approximately $2,000. This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page. A laptop is preferable to other device types. Phones are not suitable alternatives. Health and Public Safety program advising
For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please contact our School of Health and Public Safety. Email: hps.info@sait.ca Program outcomes
- Collaboration - evaluate personal strengths and areas for growth as a member of a professional healthcare team.
- Professionalism - exemplify professionalism when working with diverse groups in the health sciences field.
- Communication - facilitate effective communication of health sciences concepts, terminology, and standards in interprofessional teams.
- Curiosity and life-long learning - create a learning and development plan for a health sciences career.
- Technology and digital literacy - summarize the relationship between technology applications, digital literacy, and health outcomes.
- Ethical problem-solving and decision-making - develop strategies for ethical, inclusive, and evidence-informed decision-making in a healthcare context.
- Resilience and self-awareness - reflect on self-awareness, resilience, and stress management techniques for healthcare professionals.
- Preparation for healthcare careers - incorporate academic skills with foundational knowledge of Canadian healthcare systems.
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