Pre-professional study
Careers in a number of professions may be started at Concordia. A student interested in gaining admission to professional schools such as those listed below should work with their advisor to select courses and follow procedures most helpful in achieving this goal.
The following list includes courses of study in health professions and graduate programs:
Acceptance into professional programs is not automatic and must be initiated by the student; details may be obtained from the student’s pre-professional advisor. Listed below are typical minimum requirements based upon programs into which Concordia students have been accepted. Students considering a pre-professional program should carefully study the requirements of any institution to which they intend to apply. In successful preparation for professional programs, most Concordia students complete coursework well beyond the minimum requirements.
Pre-Chiropractic
The minimum is a 3 year program, but most successful applicants have a Bachelor’s degree.
Courses include:
- Biology-111, 112
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 331
- English-6 hours including at least 3 hours composition
- Humanities/Social Sciences-15 hours
- Physics-111, 112
- Psychology-101
- Electives-32 hours
- Strongly recommended:
- Biology-208, 319, 343, 344, 499 (Immunology)
- Business-361
- Economics-101
- Small business management and medical terminology (available at local community colleges)
Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science
This is normally a three year program.
Courses include:
- Biology-111, 112, 208, 351, 499 (Immunology)
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 345
- English-221, 325
- Mathematics-122, 132 or greater
- Electives-41 hours including broad general education background
- Strongly recommended: Biology-343, 344
- Recommended: Physics and additional biology and chemistry
Pre-Clinical Perfusion Science
A Bachelor’s degree is required for admission to professional programs in this field.
Courses should include:
- Biology-111, 112, 343, 344, 351
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 345
- English-221, 325
- Mathematics-6 hours, College Algebra or greater
- Physics-109, 110, or 111
- Social Sciences-6 hours
Pre-Cytotechnology
A Bachelor’s degree is required for admission to professional programs in this field.
Courses should include:
- Biology-111, 112, 343, 344 and at least 4 hours from the following—Bio122, 208, 271, 308, 319, 351, 499 (Immunology)
- Chemistry-115, 116
- Mathematics-3 hours (minimum)
Pre-Dental
Normally this is a 4 year program. Many schools will consider admission after three years provided their program pre-requisites have been met, however the majority of applicants to dental school have Bachelor’s degrees.
Courses should include:
- Biology-111, 112
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 331
- English-221, 325
- Physics-111, 112
Pre-Dental Hygiene
This is normally a 2 year program.
Courses should include:
- Biology-110,111, or 112 and 343, 344, 351, 444
- Chemistry-115, 116
- Eng-102
- English-221, 325
- Humanities/Arts-6 hours
- Psychology-101
- Social/Behavioral sciences-3 hours
- Sociology-101
- 12 hour series with same course prefix
Pre-Engineering
Students planning to enter the engineering professions should obtain a solid background in mathematics and the physical sciences. In addition to courses in these areas, courses in the social sciences and humanities should be taken.
There are many specialty areas in engineering such as aerospace, agricultural, chemical, civil, electrical, industrial and mechanical. Programs for each of these areas differ among the professional colleges, and students should obtain information from these colleges as well as consulting with the Concordia mathematics and science faculty to plan the appropriate academic agenda. Students can attend Concordia at least two years before continuing their program at a professional college.
Typical programs would be as follows:
TWO-YEAR PROGRAM
Chemical
- Math-184, 186, 284, 384, 333
- Chem-115, 116, 231, 331
- Phys-111, 112, 211, 212
- CS-131
Other general education
Non-Chemical
- Math-184, 186, 284, 333, 384
- Chem-115, 116
- Phys-111, 112, 211, 212, 321, 381
- CS-131, 141
- Other general education
THREE-YEAR PROGRAM
Non-Chemical
- Math-184, 186, 284, 321, 322, 333, 384
- Chem-115, 116
- Phys-111, 112, 211, 212, 321, 371, 381, 382, 383 or 390
- CS-131, 141, 324
- Other general education
Pre-Law
Most accredited law schools have no specific requirements for a pre-law course, but prefer a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts. A high level of scholarship is expected of students in the pre-law program. During the final year at Concordia pre-law students must take the Law School Admission Test, as well as apply to the law school of their choice. Students should be aware of the recommendations of the law schools to which they might apply.
The Association of American Law Schools considers the prescription of particular courses unwise for a pre-law program. The Association calls attention to the quality of undergraduate institutions which it believes fundamental to the better attainment of legal competence.
Pre-law students meet individually with a pre-law advisor to plan a personalized curriculum for their pre-professional training in law.
Pre-Medical
Normally this is a 4 year program. Some schools will consider admission after three years provided their program pre-requisites have been met, however applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are given preference.
Courses should include:
- Biology-111, 112, 208, 343, 344
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 331, 345
- English-6 hours including at least 3 hours composition
- Humanities and Social Sciences 12-16 hours
- Mathematics-122 and 184
- Physics-111, 112
Pre-Nursing
Pre-nursing students have two options. They can transfer into a nursing program after two years, having met these requirements. Completion of their nursing program will require an additional 2-3 years. Alternatively, students may complete a Bachelor’s degree including these requirements and apply to a 1 year accelerated nursing program.
Courses include:
- Biology-110,111, or 112, and 343, 344, 351, 444
- Chemistry-115, 116
- English-221, 325
- Mathematics-122
- Psychology-101
- Sociology-101, 331
- Additional 3 hour elective in Humanities or Social Sciences required
- Free electives- 7 to 9 hours
- Human Growth and Development (3hr) and Ethics (3hr) (available at local community colleges)
Pre-Occupational Therapy
These are Creighton’s requirements and will normally require 2 years.
Recommended courses include:
- Creative expression (composition, music, art, speech, drama, etc.)-9 hours
- Critical discovery (math, economics, foreign language)-12 hours
- Humanities-6 hours
- Natural Sciences-15 hours (at least one biology course, and one course with a lab)
- Social Sciences/Psychology-12 hours (at least one psychology course)
- Theology/Philosophy-6 hours
Pre-Optometry
These are requirements from the ASCO website (www.opted.org/info) which recommends 90 hours. Most successful applicants have a Bachelor’s degree. Students should check specific requirements for the schools in which they are interested.
- Biology-111, 112, 343, 344, 351
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 331, 345
- English/Speech-6 to 9 hours
- Humanities-9 hours
- Mathematics-122 and 184
- Physics-111, 112
- Psychology-101
- Social Sciences-9 hours
- Electives-6 hours
Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
A Bachelor’s degree is required for admission to professional programs in this field.
- Biology-111, 112
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, and 331 or 345
- English/Speech- 6 hours
- Physics-111, 112
Pre-Pharmacy
This is minimally a 2 year program. Most successful applicants have a Bachelor’s degree.
Courses include:
- Accounting-12 hours
- Biology-111, 112
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 331
- Economics-101 or 102
- Eng-102
- English-6 hours (including composition)
- Mathematics-122 and 184
- Physics 110 or 111, or Chemistry 325
- Psychology/Social Sciences-3 additional hours
- Psychology-101
- Electives to complete 60 to 63 hours, depending on program. For Creighton, include 6 hours Theology.
Pre-Physical Therapy
This is minimally a 3 year program. Most successful applicants have a Bachelor’s degree.
Courses include:
- Biology-111, 112, 343, 344
- Chemistry-115, 116
- English-6 hours (including composition)
- Physics-111, 112
- 3 additional upper level courses in a major area of study
Electives to complete a minimum of 90 hours. For Creighton, include 6 hours Theology.
Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin offers a doctorate in physical therapy. This program gives admissions preference to graduates of Concordia University System institutions. Concordia-Mequon has specific course work and application requirements. For additional information visit the DPT Web site at www.cuw.edu/dpt or call 262-243-4248.
Pre-Physicians Assistant
A Bachelor’s degree is required for admission to professional programs in this field.
Courses should include:
- Biology-111, 112, 343, 344, 351, 499 (Immunology)
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 345
- English-221, 325
- Mathematics-122 and 184
- Psychology-101, 445, plus an additional 3 hours
Pre-Radiation Science Technology
This is normally a 1-2 year program, depending upon which specific area of the field you desire to enter.
Courses include:
- Biology-111 or 112
- Chemistry 115
- Eng-102
- English-221, 325
- Humanities/Social Sciences-6 hours
- Mathematics-122 and 3 additional hours at level of college algebra or greater
- Medical terminology (available at local community colleges)
- Physics-111
- Electives as required by specific programs
- For Radiation Therapy, add Biology-343, 344 and Computer Science 121
Pre-Social Work
The pre-social work program is designed to prepare a graduate for entry into a master of social work (MSW) program. The MSW degree is increasingly becoming the norm and expectation for professionals in the field of social work and social service. The foundation of the pre-social work program is the behavioral science major, enhanced by additional required and supporting courses. Students will receive an introduction to the field of social work along with practical experiences in social service agencies.
- Behavioral Science Major 39 hours
- SW-201 Introduction to Social Work 3
- SW-311 Social Work Internship I 3
- SW- 312 Social Work Internship II 3
Supporting courses: A minimum of nine hours selected from the following:
- Hist- 417 African American History
- Geog-391 Urban Geography
- Bio-444 Nutrition
- Bus-121 Financial Accounting
- Bus-351 Human Resources Management
- Bus-300 Business Law
- Bus-443 Organizational Behavior
- Eng-325 Writing for the Professions
- Span-101 Beginning Spanish I
- Span-102 Beginning Spanish II
- Span-201 Intermediate Spanish I
- Span-202 Intermediate Spanish II
Sociology and psychology courses not used in the behavioral science major may fulfill the supporting courses requirement.
Pre-Veterinary
This is minimally a 2 year program. Most successful applicants have a Bachelor’s degree.
Courses include:
- Biology-111, 112, 208, 225, 343, 344, 351
- Chemistry-115, 116, 231, 331, 345
- CTA-211,
- English-221, 325
- Humanities/Arts/Social Sciences 12 hours
- Physics-111, 112
- Electives to complete a minimum of 65 hours.
ROTC – Reserve Officers Training Corps – Army and Air Force
Concordia has established agreements with the Departments of Military Science and Aerospace Studies at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to allow students the opportunity to participate in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) programs. Students completing the ROTC program receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army or Air Force.
Both Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC offer generous scholarships and living allowances for contracted cadets. Students may apply for scholarships at any time during their college career. Students may also receive an allowance for textbooks plus a tax-free living allowances when contracting with a ROTC program.
Participation in ROTC while at Concordia will require attending the appropriate courses at the UNL campus. Concordia students are admitted as a visiting student at UNL; tuition for these courses is included in Concordia’s tuition. Each semester the student will enroll for one course and a leadership lab. The credit for these courses will be granted as Concordia credit and will apply toward the Concordia Bachelor’s degree programs.
Cadets contracting with one of the ROTC programs will be obligated to serve with the Army or Air Force; the length of time and type of service varies based on the program and career field chosen. Both programs allow freshmen and sophomores to participate without commitment.