Pre-professional

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:

  • Pre-Athletic Training
  • Pre-Chiropractic
  • Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Pre -Clinical Perfusion Science
  • Pre-Cytotechnology
  • Pre-Dental
  • Pre-Dental Hygiene
  • Pre-Engineering
  • Pre-Law
  • Pre-Medical
  • Pre-Nursing
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy
  • Pre-Optometry
  • Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
  • Pre-Pharmacy
  • Pre-Physical Therapy
  • Pre-Physician’s Assistant
  • Pre-Radiation Science Technology
  • Pre-Social Work
  • Pre-Veterinary

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-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, 328
  • 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:

Pre-Cytotechnology

A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to professional programs in this field. Courses should include:

Pre-Dental

Normally this is a four-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:

Pre-Dental Hygiene

This is normally a two-year program. Courses should include:

  • Biology 110, 111, or 112 and 343, 344, 351, 444 
  • Chemistry 115, 116
  • English 102, 221, 328
  • 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

Two-year program
Non-Chemical

Three-year program
Non-Chemical

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 four-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 one-year accelerated nursing program. Courses include:

  • Biology 110, 111, or 112, and 343, 344, 351, 444
  • Chemistry 115, 116
  • English 221, 328
  • Mathematics 122
  • Psychology 101
  • Sociology 101, 331
  • Additional 3-hour elective in Humanities or Social Sciences required
  • Free electives – 7-9 hours
  • Human Growth and Development (3 hrs) and Ethics (3 hrs) (available at local community colleges)

Pre-Occupational Therapy

These are Creighton University’s requirements and will normally require two 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-Athletic Training

A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the entry level professional program in athletic training. Majors in exercise science, biology, or other related fields are desirable; however, it is not mandatory as long as prerequisites for admission are met. Students should check specific requirements for the schools in which they are interested. The following are prerequisites for the University of Nebraska-Omaha:

Pre-Chiropractic

The minimum is a three-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-Optometry

These are requirements from the ASCO website (www.opted.org) 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 – 6–9 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.

Pre-Pharmacy

This is minimally a two-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
  • English – 6 hours (including composition)
  • Mathematics 122, 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 three-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
  • Three 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/programs/dpt  or call 262-243-4248.

Pre-Physician’s Assistant

A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to professional programs in this field. Courses should include:

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
  • English 102, 221, 328
  • Humanities/Social Sciences – 6 hours
  • Mathematics 122 and three 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.

Pre–Veterinary

This is minimally a two-year program. Most successful applicants have a bachelor’s degree. Courses include:

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.

More details are available in the UNL undergraduate catalog or from the respective programs:

Army: www.unl.edu/armyrotc or 402-472-4269               
Air Force: www.unl.edu/afrotc or 402-472-2473

See also: Please check the course catalog for other information about programs in which you are interested.