Special Programs

Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry, or Pre-Chiropractic

Students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), or Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree should major in Biology or Chemistry (with a Biology minor). For the best preparation, we recommend a double major in both Biology and Chemistry. Students should review the admissions requirements for the professional schools of their choice. We recommend that students complete the following courses (in addition to major requirements) for preparation for admission and success in medical, dental, optometry, or chiropractic school:

BIOL3120 Internship in Biological Sciences

BIOL3420 Human Anatomy

BIOL3440 Human Physiology

BIOL4310 Biochemistry

BIOL4400 Immunology

BIOL4450 Molecular and Cellular Biology

MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics

MATH1510 Calculus I

During summers, students should consider internships or volunteer experiences at local hospitals, clinics, or private practices to gain practical experience. Most students take the MCAT (medicine), DAT (dentistry), or OAT (optometry) exam in April of their junior year and begin to apply to professional schools during the summer following their junior year. Early application using the AMCAS (medicine), AADSAS (dentistry), OptomCAS (optometry) or another appropriate application service is strongly recommended.

Pre-Pharmacy

Students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree should major in Biology or Chemistry (with a Biology minor). For the best preparation, we recommend a double major in both Biology and Chemistry. Students should review the admissions requirements for the pharmacy schools of their choice. We recommend that students complete the following courses (in addition to major requirements) for preparation for admission and success in pharmacy school:

BIOL3120 Internship in Biological Sciences

BIOL3420 Human Anatomy

BIOL3440 Human Physiology

BIOL3500 Applied Pharmacology

BIOL4310 Biochemistry

BIOL4400 Immunology

BIOL4450 Molecular and Cellular Biology

MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics

MATH1510 Calculus I

During summers, students should consider internships or volunteer experiences at local hospitals or pharmacies to gain practical experience. Most students take the PCAT exam in June of their junior year and begin to apply to pharmacy schools during the summer following their junior year. Early application using the PharmCAS application service is strongly recommended.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree should major in Biology. Students should review the admissions requirements for the veterinary schools of their choice. We recommend that students complete the following courses (in addition to major requirements) for preparation for admission and success in veterinary school:

BIOL2560 Nutrition

BIOL3120 Internship in Biological Sciences

BIOL3420 Human Anatomy

BIOL3440 Human Physiology

BIOL3500 Applied Pharmacology

BIOL4310 Biochemistry

BIOL4400 Immunology

BIOL4450 Molecular and Cellular Biology

MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics

MATH1510 Calculus I

During summers, students should consider internships or volunteer experiences at local veterinary hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience. Most students take the GRE exam (or MCAT for some schools) in April of their junior year and begin to apply to veterinary schools during the summer following their junior year. Early application using the VMCAS application service is strongly recommended.

Pre-Physical Therapy and Other Allied Health Professions

Students interested in pursuing a Masters (M.P.T.) or Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree should major in Biology or another appropriate major from the Division of Health and Movement Science. Students should review the admissions requirements for the physical therapy schools of their choice. We recommend that students complete the following courses (in addition to major requirements) for preparation for admission and success in physical therapy school:

ATHT2500 Medical Terminology

BIOL3120 Internship in Biological Sciences

BIOL3420 Human Anatomy

BIOL3440 Human Physiology

MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics

MATH1510 Calculus I

PHED3340 Anatomical and Mechanical Kinesiology

PHED4360 Exercise Physiology

PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology

PSYC2250 Developmental Psychology

SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology

During summers, students should consider internships or volunteer experiences working with licensed physical therapists at local hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience. Most students take the GRE exam in April of their junior year and begin to apply to physical therapy schools during the summer following their junior year. Early application using the PTCAS application service is strongly recommended.

Students interested in other allied health professions should follow similar recommendations. As always, students should review the admissions requirements for the programs of their choice and seek practical experience in the field.

Forensic Science and Other Graduate Programs

Students interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D. in forensic science or another related field should major in Biology or Chemistry. For the best preparation, we recommend a double major in both Biology and Chemistry. Students should review the admissions requirements for the graduate schools of their choice. We recommend that students complete the following courses (in addition to major requirements) for preparation for admission and success in a forensic science program:

BIOL3120 Internship in Biological Sciences

BIOL3420 Human Anatomy

BIOL3440 Human Physiology

BIOL4310 Biochemistry

BIOL4450 Molecular and Cellular Biology

CHEM3300 Analytical Chemistry

CHEM4330 Instrumental Analysis

MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics

MATH1510 Calculus I

During summers, students should consider internships or volunteer experiences in the criminal justice system or research opportunities in forensic science programs to gain practical experience. Most students take the GRE exam in April of their junior year and begin to apply to graduate schools during the summer following their junior year. Early application is strongly recommended.

Major universities offer a diverse array of graduate programs in the sciences. Students will find an interesting selection of M.S. and Ph.D. programs, including Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Pathology, Marine Biology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, and many more. Students should review the admissions requirements for the graduate schools of their choice and plan their coursework accordingly. During summers, students should consider internships or research opportunities at major universities to gain practical experience. Most students take the GRE exam in April of their junior year and begin to apply to graduate schools during the summer following their junior year. Early application is strongly recommended.

Pre-law

Students interested in pursuing a legal education are encouraged to attend Graceland. Accredited law schools in the United States require a bachelor’s degree for admission. They seek students who can analyze problems critically, who can reason logically, and who can clearly express themselves both in writing and aloud. Law schools admit students from a very broad range of majors. The intensity and depth of the undergraduate major, along with the student’s ability to meet academically rigorous standards, are most important (see the Law School Admissions Council).

Pre-engineering

Graceland maintains a program of advising and information sharing for pre-engineering students. Students are encouraged to major in Chemistry or Mathematics while attending Graceland University. For additional information about the engineering program at Iowa State University, see www.eng.iastate.edu. For additional information about the engineering program at the University of Iowa, see www.engineering.uiowa.edu/records. For additional information about the engineering program at the University of Missouri at Rolla see http://www.mst.edu/.