Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-professional programs help students prepare for entrance into professional degree programs. Many professional degree programs are offered only at the post-baccalaureate level, so an undergraduate degree is needed before enrolling in them. UW-Eau Claire offers a variety of academic majors that provide excellent preparation for applying to such professional programs. Students interested in these programs should select an academic major that will prepare them to compete for such programs (many are highly selective) as well as provide career alternatives. For other professional degree programs, students transfer to another higher education institution to complete the appropriate professional degree.
Pre-professional programs are not academic degree programs (that is, they are not academic majors, minors, or certificates). Instead, pre-professional programs provide an organized approach to academic advising for students intending to apply to a professional degree program. To enhance academic planning and preparation while enrolled at UW-Eau Claire, a student interested in obtaining a professional degree should:
- Work with a pre-professional advisor who can help plan an appropriate curriculum in the field of interest.
- Obtain information from other colleges/universities regarding specific academic requirements for the professional degree program of interest.
- Declare an academic major that is logically connected to the professional field, and work with an advisor in the academic major.
Pre-Dentistry
(Code 705-900)
Advisors: J. Anderson (Biology), J. Halfen (Chemistry and Biochemistry), J. Lyman Gingerich (Biology).
Students should plan to spend at least three years in pre-professional work. Many pre-dentistry students complete a B.S. degree in biology or chemistry.
A typical first-year program includes:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 9-10 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Laboratory and General Chemistry II with Lab | ||
OR | ||
| Chemical Principles and Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Required: | ||
| BIOL 221 | Foundations of Biology I | 4 |
| MATH 109 | Algebra for Calculus (and/or MATH 112/MATH 113, and/or MATH 114) | 4 |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Completion of University Writing Requirement | ||
| Advanced courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 9-10 | |
| General Physics and General Physics | ||
OR | ||
| University Physics I and University Physics II | ||
| Required: | ||
| CHEM 325 | Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 326 | Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 |
Consult an advisor for further recommendations.
NOTE: Students should plan on taking the DAT (Dental Admissions Test) in the late spring or early summer of the year prior to the year for which they are seeking to matriculate in dental school.
Pre-Engineering
(Code 195-900)
Advisors:
Biomedical—M. Jewell (Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering).
Chemical—S. Drucker (Chemistry and Biochemistry).
Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, General—L. Ford (Physics and Astronomy), E. Radue (Physics and Astronomy).
Geological—K. Syverson (Geology and Environmental Science).
Materials Science—M. Jewell (Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering).
NOTE: High school preparation should include as much algebra, trigonometry, and advanced mathematics as possible as well as courses in chemistry and physics.
Students should plan to transfer after two years at UW-Eau Claire unless they decide to pursue the Dual Degree Engineering Emphasis in Physics and Astronomy (Advisors: L. Ford, E. Radue), the Dual Degree Geological Engineering Emphasis in Geology and Environmental Science (Advisor: K. Syverson), or the Biomedical Engineering Comprehensive Major or the Materials Science and Engineering Comprehensive Major in Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering (Advisor: M. Jewell).
Required freshman and sophomore courses include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 114 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 215 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 216 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 231 | University Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS 232 | University Physics II | 5 |
Many fields of engineering also require chemistry, statics, dynamics, differential equations, and computer programming. Students should be aware that many engineering schools require GPAs of 2.50 or higher to be admitted to the junior year. Consult a pre-engineering advisor, because specific course and grade requirements vary among engineering fields as well as among schools of engineering.
Pre-Law
(Code 425-900)
Advisors: E. Kasper (Political Science and Criminal Justice), A. Kunz (Political Science and Criminal Justice), M. Meyer (Philosophy and Religious Studies).
Students should plan to complete a baccalaureate degree before applying for law school admission and may choose from any major program of study. Choice of major and minor fields should be done with the following information in mind, including consideration of an alternative career plan. In addition to meeting with their major advisor, students should meet with one of the Pre-law advisors early in their first semester. The American Bar Association recommends that future lawyers select a major that develops skills in reading and interpreting texts, research and writing. The skills most valued in law school are analytic and problem-solving skills and courses that challenge the student in these areas are recommended. Law school admissions are based on successful completion of the undergraduate degree and scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), along with other criteria set by particular programs. Studies show that students in the following majors consistently score highly on the LSAT: Economics, Finance, History, Literature, Philosophy, Physics/Math, Political Science, and Religious Studies.
Courses which are recommended, regardless of major, are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 201 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| BLAW 305 | Legal and Regulatory Environment | 3 |
| or BLAW 306 | Business Law | |
| ECON 103 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MATH 111 | A Short Course in Calculus (and/or MATH 246) | 4 |
| PHIL 150 | Logic and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PHIL 310 | Philosophy of Law | 3 |
| POLS 110 | American National Politics | 3 |
| POLS 305 | Survey of U.S. Constitutional Principles | 3 |
| Other courses dealing with the American political system | ||
| U.S. and world history courses | ||
| Ethics courses | ||
Students may want to consider majoring in the Legal Studies emphasis in the Political Science Comprehensive Major or adding the Legal Studies Certificate. To obtain Pre-Law designation, contact the Political Science department chair. This designation is in addition to major, minor, and certificate program designations.
NOTE 1: The LSAT should be taken during the summer between the junior and senior year or early in the senior year (usually September or October).
NOTE 2: In addition to LSAT scores, interviews and recommendations play an important role in law school admissions.
NOTE 3: Students may want to be involved in the Pre-Law Club student organization.
Pre-Medicine
(Code 706-900)
Advisors: J. Anderson (Biology), W. Bryant (Biology), D. Gingerich (Biology), J. Halfen (Chemistry and Biochemistry).
The pre-med curriculum consists of those courses needed to meet the entrance requirements for the majority of medical schools and to prepare students to take the Medical College Admission Test. Students should plan to complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
Typical first-year courses include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 221 | Foundations of Biology I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 9-10 | |
| Chemical Principles and Quantitative Analysis | ||
OR | ||
| General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Laboratory and General Chemistry II with Lab | ||
| Required: | ||
| One or two semesters of mathematics | ||
| Completion of the University Writing Requirement | ||
Consult an advisor for further recommendations.
NOTE 1: CHEM 105, CHEM 106, and CHEM 109 may be substituted for CHEM 115 in the biochemistry/molecular biology major, but only six of the credits will count toward the major.
NOTE 2: Students should plan to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in the late spring or early summer of the year prior to the year for which they are seeking to matriculate to medical school.
NOTE 3: Acceptance into medical schools is based on the following:
- the student’s academic record,
- the results of the Medical College Admission Test,
- recommendations,
- health-related experiences, and
- interviews.
Pre-Optometry
(Code 703-900)
Advisor: J. Anderson (Biology).
Students should plan to spend at least two years in undergraduate study; the majority of successful applicants have three or four years of college work.
A typical first-year program includes:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 221 | Foundations of Biology I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 6-9 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Laboratory and General Chemistry II with Lab | ||
OR | ||
| Chemical Principles | ||
| Mathematics course | ||
| Completion of the University Writing Requirement | ||
Consult an advisor for further recommendations.
NOTE: The Optometry Admission Test should be taken before the semester in which the student applies for acceptance into a school of optometry.
Pre-Pharmacy
(Code 685-900)
Advisors: T. Doyon (Chemistry and Biochemistry), S. Hati (Chemistry and Biochemistry).
The pre-pharmacy curriculum blends science and math courses with social science and humanities courses in order to prepare future pharmacists to address medical problems with the people they will serve. Most students now admitted to pharmacy schools enter with a bachelor’s degree, so students should plan to choose a major to be more competitive.
A first-year program should include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 6-9 | |
| Chemical Principles | ||
OR | ||
| General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Laboratory and General Chemistry II with Lab | ||
| Required: | ||
| MATH 114 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-8 | |
| Foundations of Biology I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| Select one or more of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Required: | ||
| Completion of the University Writing Requirement | ||
The minimum course work admission requirements could be planned in two years if the student is prepared to start in CHEM 115 and MATH 114. More time should be allowed if the student starts in a lower level math course or takes the CHEM 105/CHEM 106/CHEM 109 sequence. The GPA of students admitted into pharmacy school is typically above 3.50. Pharmacy schools are increasingly emphasizing communication, leadership, and community service in their admissions criteria, so students should pace their work at UW-Eau Claire to develop strong records in both academics and community service. Experience as a pharmacy technician is also helpful. Consult an advisor for information about pharmacy school admissions requirements.
Pre-Physician Assistant
(Code 707-900)
Advisors: J. Anderson (Biology), D. Herman (Biology).
Most physician assistant programs are at the graduate level (M.S.). Students should plan on completing a baccalaureate degree before applying to physician assistant graduate programs. Specific requirements for admission will vary among programs, and students are encouraged to consult the specific program catalog for these requirements.
In preparation, students should take: two semesters of chemistry, two semesters of physics, precalculus/calculus, biology courses including organismal form and function, microbiology, two semesters of anatomy and physiology, psychology courses, and a communication course. Other courses may be required.
Consult with an advisor for further recommendations and information, including information about regional program requirements.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
(Code 708-900)
Advisors: J. Anderson (Biology), S. Showsh (Biology).
Students should plan to spend at least three years in pre-professional work. Many students complete a B.S. degree.
A typical first-year program includes:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 221 | Foundations of Biology I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 9-10 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Laboratory and General Chemistry II with Lab | ||
OR | ||
| Chemical Principles and Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Required: | ||
| MATH 114 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Completion of University Writing Requirement | ||
Consult an advisor for further recommendations.
NOTE: Most schools of veterinary medicine require experience with animals, such as that gained through a farm background or working as assistant to a veterinarian, as well as the completion of the Graduate Record Examination.