Pre-Professional Curricula

Advisor: Dr. Julie Hall

Information applicable to admission to dental school mirrors the requirements and recommendations for admission to medical school. One exception to these requirements is that the student takes the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a standardized test administered and graded by the Division of Education Measurements of the American Dental Association. Although a BS is not required for entry into dental schools, it is highly recommended. Students should refer to their dental schools of interest for specific course requirements. Please contact the advisor for guidance and more detailed information.

Minimal course requirements for entrance:

Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Mabry

The admissions process at accredited law schools in the United States is highly competitive, and undergraduate academic work is vitally important to the applicant’s success. Law schools do not require an undergraduate major in a specific  academic discipline. Students who plan to study law often choose a major program in History, English, Political Science, Philosophy, Criminal Justice or Business. Those with a natural science major are quite competitive. Coursework that builds a broad intellectual foundation and refines skills in the areas of critical reading, oral and written communication, and logical reasoning will provide the best preparation for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and for long-term success. The following recommendations are intended as electives, to be taken in addition to the requirements of a student’s major. Students should consult with their academic advisors and/or the Pre-Law Advisor (above) to determine the most effective way to schedule these courses.

Introductory Courses
CRIM 105 – Intro to Criminal Justice
CRIM 220 – Intro to Courts
PHIL 210 – Critical Thinking
POLS 100 – American National Government
POLS 240 – Introduction to Political Ideas
UACT 295 – Pre-Law Seminar

Law-Area Courses
BUSN 410 – Contract Law
BUSN 440 – Legal Issues in Business
CRIM 210 – Criminal Law
HIST 424 – Early Western Legal Tradition
HIST 434 – History of the U.S. Constitution
MCOM 410 – Media Law and Ethics
MGMT 414 – Negotiations in Organizations
POLS 324 – Law and the Judicial System
POLS 331 – Constitutional Law

Other relevant courses (Students could also consider other upper-level courses):
CBIO 370 – Land Use and Environmental Policy
CRIM 330 – Drugs and Society
CRIM 405 – Police Administration
ECON 470 – History of American Economic Thought
ENGL 311 – Survey of British Literature I
ENGL 312 – Survey of British Literature II
ENGL 321 – Survey of American Literature I
ENGL 322 – Survey of American Literature II
HIST 340 – Medieval History
HIST 344 – British History to 1688
HIST 345 – British History Since 1688
HIST 346 – Ancient Greece
HIST 360 – Ancient Rome
PHIL 200 – Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 311 – History of Philosophy I
PHIL 312 – History of Philosophy II
PHIL 330 – Ethics
PHIL 430 – Medical Ethics
POLS 212 – State and Local Government
POLS 250 – Introduction to International Relations
POLS 332 – Introduction to Public Policy
POLS 441 – Liberal Democracy and its Critics
THEA 330 – Acting for the Camera

Advisor: Dr. Julie Hall

This curriculum is appropriate for students interested in medical school and physician assistant (PA) programs. The course recommendations will prepare them with foundational knowledge needed for first year classes in these programs. Medical schools require the MCAT and most PA programs require the GRE for entrance. Both programs require shadowing hours. PA also has a requirement of patient touch hours. Students should meet with the advisor to discuss specific requirements for their chosen school and program, and for information related to the MCAT or GRE test.

Recommended Curriculum:
BIOL 194 Pre-health Careers Seminar I: 1 Credit Hour
BIOL 294 Pre-heath Careers Seminar II: 1 Credit Hour
BIOL 310 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy: 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 315 Molecular Genetics: 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 334 General Histology: 2 Credit Hours
BIOL 336 General Microbiology: 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 360 Immunology: 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 365 General Physiology: 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 387 Junior Pre-med Science Seminar: 1 Credit Hour
BIOL441, 442 Biochemistry I, II: 8 Credit Hours
BIOL 450 Molecular Cell Biology: 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 380 Research Design & Analysis: 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 487 Senior Pre-med Science Seminar: 1 Credit Hour
AHSC 300 Medical Terminology: 3 Credit Hours
CHEM 111, 112 General Chemistry I, II: 8 Credit Hours
CHEM 221, 222 Organic Chemistry I, II: 8 Credit Hours
COMM 200 Fundamentals of Speech Communication: 3 Credit Hours
ENGL 101 Composition I: 3 Credit Hours
ENGL 102 Composition II: 3 Credit Hours
MATH 120 Trigonometry: 3 Credit Hours
MATH 270 Probability and Statistics: 3 Credit Hours
PHYS 211, 212, General Physics I, II: 8 Credit Hours
PHIL 430 Medical Ethics: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 300-level Upper-level Psychology course: 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology: 3 Credit Hours

Total: 86 Credit Hours

Minimal course requirements for entrance into a medical program*
Biology with lab: 8 Credit Hours
Inorganic Chemistry with lab: 8 Credit Hours
Organic Chemistry with lab: 8 Credit Hours
Physics with lab: 8 Credit Hours
College English: 6 Credit Hours

Minimal course requirements for entrance into a PA program*
Biology with lab: 8 Credit Hours
Anatomy with lab: 4 Credit Hours
Microbiology with lab: 4 Credit Hours
Physiology with lab: 4 Credit Hours
Inorganic Chemistry with lab: 8 Credit Hours
Organic Chemistry with lab: 8 Credit Hours
Medical Terminology: 3 Credit Hours
Statistics + Math: 6 Credit Hours
General Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
Psychology elective: 3 Credit Hours
College English: 6 Credit Hours

*General minimal requirements. Always look at specific schools to see requirements for their programs

Advisor: Dr. Lee Gilroy

Students interested in the pre-medical track in psychology will complete the requirements detailed in the Psychology (BS) General Track, along with specific course sequences of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (see Psychology Pre-med Four-Year plan). Eligible students should discuss this concentration with their academic advisor to determine specific academic and curricular needs and requirements.

Recommended Curriculum:
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 221 Child & Adolescent Development: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 255 Introduction to Social Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 280 Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 314 History and Systems of Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 315 Theories of Personality: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 340 Abnormal Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 380 Research in Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 394 Cognitive Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 450 Health Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 470 Psychological Tests and Measurements: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 475 Neuropsychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 480 Experimental Psychology: 3 Credit Hours

Psych Courses Total: 39 Credit Hours

Advisor: Dr. Amanda Rainey

Competition for freshman class spaces in veterinary school is keen, and students should expect to achieve above a 3.5 GPA. Many successful applicants have completed the Bachelor’s Degree. Because course requirements differ with individual veterinary schools, students should familiarize themselves with entrance requirements for the schools to which they will apply. Most universities require the applicant to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Information regarding the GRE can be obtained from your pre-veterinary medicine advisor. Most colleges of veterinary medicine utilize the services of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) during the application process. Students should visit the AAVMC website at aavmc.org for more information regarding application to veterinary school. Coursework typically includes the following: English, three semesters; mathematics, two semesters; chemistry, four semesters; biology, four semesters; physics, two semesters; fine arts, one semester; humanities, three semesters; and social science, two semesters. It is important to have experience working with veterinarians and with animals.  Students are encouraged to incorporate the pre-veterinary curriculum into an academic program leading to a career alternative such as veterinary health science, biology, or chemistry.

Recommended Curriculum:
English: 6 Credit Hours
Humanities and Social Sciences: 18 Credit Hours
Physics: 8 Credit Hours
General Chemistry: 8 Credit Hours
Organic Chemistry: 8 Credit Hours
Biochemistry: 4 Credit Hours
General Biology: 8 Credit Hours
Genetics: 3-4 Credit Hours
Cellular Biology or Microbiology: 3-4 Credit Hours
Mathematics / Calculus: 5-6 Credit Hours

Total: 71-74 Credit Hours

Advisor: Dr. Kevin Cooper

Note: Students should meet with the advisor for additional guidance and application information for the PCAT exam.

Recommended Curriculum:
College Mathematics: 6 Credit Hours
College Physics*: 8 Credit Hours
College Statistics: 3 Credit Hours
English Composition: 3 Credit Hours
General Biology*: 8 Credit Hours
Integrated Vertebrate Anatomy & Physiology I, II: 8 Credit Hours
General Microbiology: 4 Credit Hours
Humanities: 3 Credit Hours
Organic Chemistry*: 8 Credit Hours
Public Speaking/Performance: 6 Credit Hours
Electives: 10 Credit Hours
Total: 67 Credit Hours

*These courses will include a laboratory.

Advisor: Dr. Asher Flynn

Students interested in applying for admission to physical therapy school may major in any undergraduate field they wish. However, there are required courses for the pre-physical therapy student to consider taking as part of their chosen degree plan. Requirements for admission to physical therapy schools vary from institution to institution. With few exceptions students are required to have a baccalaureate degree in order to apply to physical therapy school. In addition, the GRE is required by most institutions for admission. Schools may require, in addition to the basic sciences listed below, upper division courses in Histology, Endocrinology, Genetics, Microbiology, Parasitology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Cell Physiology and Embryology; other upper-level courses, such as Calculus, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry may also be required. In order to provide students with the best opportunity for admission, it is strongly suggested that students consider career related courses such as Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Pharmacology and Pathophysiology whenever possible. Every student is advised to consult the program(s) to which he/she plans to apply, in order to meet all admissions criteria.

Recommended Curriculum:
BIOL 111,112 General Biology I, II: 8 Credit Hours
BIOL 311, 312 Integrated Vert. A&P I, II: 8 Credit Hours
CHEM 111,112 General Chemistry I, II: 8 Credit Hours
PHYS 211,212 General Physics I, II: 8 Credit Hours
COMM 200 Fundamentals of Speech Communication: 3 Credit Hours
English: 6-9 Credit Hours
Fine Arts Elective (ART/COMM/MUSC 100): 3 Credit Hours
HIST 121, 122 (World History): 6 Credit Hours
LNCN 100 Lincoln’s Life and Legacy: 1 Credit Hours
CIVX 300 American Citizenship and Civic Life: 2 Credit Hours
MATH 270 Probability and Statistics: 3 Credit Hours

Select one of the following (3 Credit Hours):
PSYC 100; PSYC 221; PSYC 222; SOCI 100; SOCI 330

Select one of the following (3 Credit Hours):
GEOG 350; PHIL 100; PHIL 200; PHIL 330; PHIL 430; REL 210; REL 220; REL 310; REL 315

Social Science elective: 3 Credit Hours
Technology Requirement: 2 Credit Hours

Total: 67-68 Credit Hours

Advisor: Dr. Michael Giles

Students interested in applying for admissions to an Art Therapy master’s program may major in any field. Many prospective Art Therapy students major in Art or Psychology during their undergraduate studies. A strong portfolio of completed artworks and a thorough grounding in visual art is essential to successful admissions at most art therapy programs. There are several core competencies and classes that students will need to consider when planning their degree path. The following curriculum will prepare the student for admission to the program of their choice and ground them in the basic requirements in Visual Art and Psychology. In addition to the requirements of their baccalaureate degree and the completion of the courses stipulated, the student will need to work with their major advisor and the Pre-Art Therapy advisor to be sure that they meet all the requirements for the program of their choice. This may include additional classes to those specified below and the completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Recommended Curriculum:
Art Studio Requirements:
ART 105 Design 1: 2D (3 Credit Hours) or ART 205 Design 2: 3D (3 Credit Hours)
ART 110 Drawing 1: 3 Credit Hours
ART 210 Drawing 2: 3 Credit Hours
ART 220 Painting 1: 3 Credit Hours
ART 140 Ceramics 1: 3 Credit Hours
ART 320 Painting 2 (3 Credit Hours) or ART 243 Ceramics 2 (3 Credit Hours)
Art Studio Total: 18 Credit Hours

Psychology Requirements:
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 221 Child & Adolescent Development: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 222 Adult Development: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 340 Abnormal Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 450 Health Psychology: 3 Credit Hours
Psychology Total: 15 Credit Hours