Explore Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Preparing for a career in the health professions goes far beyond coursework. Meaningful experiences outside the classroom allow you to develop essential skills, discover your passions, and gain insight into the many paths within healthcare.
Whether through student organizations, community engagement, research, or clinical exposure, getting involved will help you grow personally and professionally while strengthening your preparation for future applications.
Use this page to explore the many ways you can engage, connect, and make the most of your journey as a pre-health student.
Community Engagement & Service
Health professionals serve individuals and communities from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. Building the ability to connect across differences—such as race, culture, age, ability, and socioeconomic status—is essential for providing compassionate, effective care.
Engaging in community-based experiences allows you to develop this awareness firsthand. Hands-on roles with children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, or underserved populations are especially valuable, offering opportunities to listen, learn, and better understand the needs of others.
Community engagement also strengthens key skills that are vital in healthcare, including communication, leadership, cultural humility, and critical reflection. Working alongside and learning from others is what fosters trust, supports outreach, and promotes more equitable health outcomes.
As you explore service opportunities, focus on experiences that emphasize genuine connection and sustained involvement. These moments not only enrich your perspective but also help prepare you to serve diverse communities with empathy and purpose.
Off Campus & Local Opportunities:
Community Engagement and Volunteer Center (CEVC)
- Alternative Break Programs (January, Spring, May, and Weekend Breaks)
- Madison Community Scholars
- Service Placements, a semester- or year-long commitment to a specific community agency
On-Campus Opportunities:
Theere are many ways to get involved, these examples offer a snapshot!
Learning Centers & Tutoring Opportunities
- Communication Center
- Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
- Science & Math Learning Center
- University Writing Center
Student Leadership
- University Program Board
- SafeRides
- UREC
- Orientation: FROG, OPA, OOA Leadership Opportunities
- UCC Career Educator
- Office of Admissions: Student Ambassadors
- Office of Residence Life (ORL): Resident Adviser
- University Advising: Madison Advising Peers
- Honor Council
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): Conversation Partners
- Department of Psychology: Psychology Peer Advisors
Undergraduate Research Experience
Research offers a powerful way to deepen your understanding beyond the classroom. While coursework builds foundational knowledge, research challenges you to ask questions, think critically, and engage directly with the process of discovery.
Through hands-on experiences, you’ll learn how to analyze data, solve problems, and navigate uncertainty - skills that are essential in the health professions! Research also fosters scientific curiosity, encouraging you to explore new ideas and better understand how evidence informs patient care and advances in healthcare.
On-Campus Research Opportunities
Faculty at JMU lead research across a wide range of disciplines, creating opportunities for you to explore your interests and gain hands-on experience. Begin by identifying a field that interests you, then visit the department’s website to look for undergraduate research opportunities.
If a central page isn’t available, explore the faculty directory to learn about current research and reach out to professors whose work aligns with your interests.
Below are departments where pre-health students commonly engage in research, along with links to faculty profiles and research opportunities:
Off-Campus Research Opportunities
Broaden your experience beyond JMU through off-campus opportunities! To get you started, here a few resources to explore:
Student Organizations
There are many student-led organizations at JMU that offer opportunities to get involved, build connections, and engage with both the campus and broader community. To explore all available organizations and find contact information, visit the BeInvolved site. Some popular options for PPH students include: