Pre-Health Professions Programs
Pre-Medical/Pre-Dentistry Programs
MVNU offers educational programs designed to prepare the student for admission to a variety of health professional schools. The term medical is used to include seven different clinical professions in which doctoral degrees are awarded; most comments about medical school also apply to schools of dentistry, optometry, podiatry, osteopathic medicine, veterinary medicine, and chiropractic medicine.
Most of the successful medical school applicants majored in science. MVNU offers degree programs in biology and chemistry that meet all medical school entrance requirements.
However, a science major is not mandatory. Medical schools recognize the value of a liberal arts education, and they seek students with diverse interests and backgrounds. Some successful medical school applicants majored in a non-science discipline, regardless of academic major, medical schools expect a strong foundation in natural sciences, broad exposure to humanities, and well-developed communication skills. Nearly all medical schools prefer applicants who have completed a four-year undergraduate degree. Standard medical school entrance requirements include:
English/Communication
- College Writing and Literature are required. Communication courses are strongly recommended.
Biology
- A minimum of one full year of biology is required. Additional biology courses, including Invertebrate Zoology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Genetics, and Vertebrate Physiology are recommended.
Chemistry
- General Chemistry I and II with their laboratories, and Organic Chemistry I and II are required. Quantitative Chemistry and Biochemistry are recommended.
Mathematics
- Algebra and Trigonometry are prerequisites for required laboratory science courses. Most medical schools require one full year of college-level mathematics. Statistics and Calculus I are recommended.
Physics
- General Physics I and II are required.
Social Sciences
- Psychology and Sociology are strongly recommended.
Many factors besides formal course work are essential for successful entrance to medical school. MVNU has a Pre-Medical Committee consisting of five faculty members who advise and assist students to plan clinical experiences, prepare for entrance examinations, secure medical school application materials, and obtain a committee recommendation letter.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
MVNU offers a four-year program designed to prepare the student for a master's degree program in occupational therapy. Since specific entry requirements vary slightly from school to school, students are encouraged to obtain catalogs from occupational therapy programs of interest as early as possible and then plan accordingly with their academic advisor.
Pre-Pharmacy Program
The Biology Department offers a four-year curriculum that is designed to meet entry requirements of Pharm.D. programs. The Chemistry Department offers a Biochemistry concentration that also meets entry requirements for Pharm.D. programs. Many schools of pharmacy require either accounting or economics. Entry requirements vary from school to school; students are encouraged to obtain catalogs from pharmacy schools as early as possible and then plan accordingly with their academic advisor.
Pre-Physical Therapy
MVNU offers a four-year program designed to prepare the student for a doctoral program in physical therapy. Since specific entry requirements vary slightly from school to school, students are encouraged to obtain catalogs from physical therapy programs of interest as early as possible and then plan accordingly with their academic advisor.
Pre-Physician Assistant
MVNU offers a four-year program designed to prepare the student for a master's degree program in physician assisting. Since specific entry requirements vary slightly from school to school, students are encouraged to obtain catalogs from physician assisting programs of interest as early as possible and then plan accordingly with their academic advisor.