Pre-Professional Study (prepare for additional graduate and/or professional education)
Pre-professional study areas are designed to prepare you for advanced education and careers in specific professional fields. These study areas are not majors in the traditional sense but rather guidance towards relevant courses that will enhance readiness for graduate and/or professional education. For personalized guidance and to discuss your career goals, please contact an academic adviser listed below.
Pre-Chiropractic
Adviser: Timothy Schuh
224 Robert H. Wick Science Building
320-308-5433
Students should consult the pre-chiropractic adviser during their first semester at St. Cloud State University. It is advisable that students get a baccalaureate degree; the biomedical science major is recommended. Pre-professional course requirements generally include: 2 semesters animal biology with labs, 2 semesters general chemistry with labs, 2 semesters organic chemistry with labs, 2 semesters general physics with labs, 1 semester general psychology, 1 semester English, 1 semester Speech, and 15 additional credits of humanities and social sciences.
Pre-Dentistry
Adviser: Brian Olson
277 Robert H. Wick Science Building
320-308-5774
blolson@stcloudstate.edu
Courses specified for admission to the University of Minnesota include: English: 8 semester credits (composition courses preferred); biology: 8 semester credits; physics: 8 semester credits; chemistry: inorganic and organic chemistry and at least 1 semester biochemistry; math: minimum of 3 semester credits of college algebra, pre-calculus, computer science or statistics; applied human psychology: 3 semester credits. Suggested courses to fulfill those requirements include: course, course, course, course; course, course, course, course; course or course, course; course, course, course, course, course; course or course; course, course; course. Courses such as course, ART (100-level courses in beginning drawing) are highly recommended. Requirements do change and interested students should check with the dental school(s) where they plan to apply.
Pre-Law
Adviser: James R Lange
485 Centennial Hall
320-308-2057
jrlange@stcloudstate.edu
Students must complete a bachelor's degree before law school and may major in any field. Law schools prefer a broad-based course of study that emphasizes analytical thinking and writing. Although pre-law is not a major, new students who have not declared a major may write "pre-law" on the appropriate forms to be assigned to the SCSU Pre-Law Adviser. He will work with you to find an appropriate major. Students are encouraged to contact the Pre-Law Adviser regularly, starting early in their academic careers. The Pre-Law Advising Office offers extensive information about all stages of the law school application process.
Pre-Medicine
Advisers (Biological Sciences):
Marina Cetkovic-Cvrlje
268 Robert H. Wick Science Building
320-308-3490
Oladele Gazal
227 Robert H. Wick Science Building
320-308-3045
Timothy Schuh
224 Robert H. Wick Science Building
320-308-5433
Pre-medicine is not a major; students should plan to complete a bachelor's degree before entering medical school and may elect to major in a variety of fields. Most medical schools require that certain basic courses be completed before entering medical school. These include one year of biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, one year of physics, mathematics through calculus, 6 semester credits of English composition as well as courses in the humanities and behavioral sciences. Examples of science courses would be course, course, course, course; course, course, course, course; and course, course. At least one semester of biochemistry is now required by some schools. Some students who do not have any background in one of the science areas may elect to take general education courses before beginning the 200 level courses that do meet the medical school requirements for admission. The behavioral science requirement is usually 8 semester credits in areas such as psychology, sociology, or anthropology. The basic requirement for humanities is also 8 semester credits. The required courses may vary from year to year and students are strongly urged to meet with the adviser.
Pre-Mortuary Science
Adviser: Sue Massmann
215 Brown Hall
320-308-6075
The pre-mortuary area of study is that suggested by the University of Minnesota, where most students transfer after two years at SCSU. Credits taken here apply toward the B.S. degree in mortuary science at the University of Minnesota. Pre-professional requirements include at least one course in each of the areas of English composition, general biology with lab, human anatomy and physiology, statistics, general chemistry with lab, introduction to sociology, speech, general psychology, and accounting plus sufficient electives to total the equivalent of 60 semester credits. Contact your adviser for a more detailed description of the courses.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Adviser: Sue Massmann
215 Brown Hall
320-308-6075
Pre-occupational therapy is not a major; students should plan to complete a bachelor's degree before applying to an advanced degree program in occupational therapy. Pre-professional course work typically includes courses in human anatomy, human physiology, statistics, general psychology, medical terminology, abnormal psychology, life span developmental psychology, introductory sociology and studio/applied arts.
Pre-Optometry
Adviser: Oladele Gazal
227 Robert H. Wick Science Building
320-308-3045
Two years of college is the minimum required for admission to optometry school. However, the trend is for most entering students to have a four-year bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or physics. The following courses should be included: course, course, course, course, course, course, course; course, course, course; course, course; course, course, course; STAT 319; course, course; course. Electives should include 8-12 credits in the social sciences. CHEM 270, 271 may be substituted for course, course and course, course may be preferred at some schools over course, course. Applicants should contact the schools they are interested in for details on course requirements. Students should apply to take the optometry college admission test during the year before they apply to an optometry school.
Pre-Pharmacy
Adviser: Mark Mechelke
WSB 370
320-308-2030
Students must complete at least two years of college before applying to a pharmacy program, but most students accepted have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree. The courses listed below comprise typical pre-pharmacy courses. Different colleges of pharmacy have slightly different pre-pharmacy requirements. Students should consult early with the advisers for specific requirements. course; course or course; course, course or course; course and course or course and course; course, course, course, course; 2 social/behavioral science courses; course; course or course; course; course or 229 or 319 or course; course and course or course; course, course or course.
Pre-Physical Therapy
Adviser:
Robert H. Wick Science Building (WSB) 145
320-308-2192
cose@stcloudstate.edu
Pre-physical therapy is not a major; students should plan to complete a bachelor's degree before applying to a university which offers an advanced degree in physical therapy. Many students elect to complete a Biomedical Science degree at SCSU with additional pre-professional courses as required for admission by the graduate programs in Physical Therapy. Pre-professional courses generally include 2 semesters general biology with labs, 2 semesters general chemistry with labs, and 2 semesters general physics with labs. In addition, one course each in human physiology, human anatomy, general psychology, abnormal psychology, and statistics is typically required. Some programs also require one calculus course. For specific details, please contact the adviser.
Pre-Physician Assistant
Adviser: Kristin Gulrud
270 Robert H. Wick Science Building
(320) 308-3207
Pre-physician assistant is not a major at SCSU; however, students should plan to complete a bachelor's degree before entering a university which offers a master's degree. In preparation for any physician assistant program the following courses should be included: course, course, course, course, course, course, course; course, course, course, course, course; course; STAT 319; course, course. English composition skills and courses in the humanities and behavioral sciences are needed. Health care experience with some direct patient contact is required for most programs. Applicants should contact the schools they are interested in for details on course requirements. Contact the adviser for more detailed description of the courses and requirements.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Adviser: Matthew Julius
225 Robert H. Wick Science Building
(320) 308-6684
course, course, 214 (or 441 or 446), 262, 360, 362; course or course; course, course, course, course, course; course, course; course; course; and 12-18 credits in the Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities. All pre-veterinary students should consult with the program advisers as soon as possible upon admission to construct an academic plan.