What Are The Pre-Requisites For Professional Programs?

The requirements for admission to professional schools are variable. It is always recommended that students investigate each school by studying the catalogue and respective website of the school of interest. Pre-professional advisors should also be consulted, as they will be instrumental in charting out a course of action during the student's undergraduate studies. For those students interested in pre-medical studies, the association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) booklet. This booklet lists the specific requirements for admission to medical schools.

Is there a core curriculum that the student can begin to orient around?
Yes, there is a sequence of course work that is relatively uniform for many of the professional programs.

However, what is designated as the core curriculum on this website is a minimal approach to pre-health studies. Most programs will have additions to the core courses, and it is recommended that students do not limit themselves to the core courses. The basic requirements listed below contend with the biological and physical science requirements for admission to many professional programs. Generally speaking completion of the general education requirements for the baccalaureate degree at NEIU will cover the English and behavioral and social science requirements.

The core curriculum consists of the following course work:

Basic Requirement
One year of General Biology
One year of Inorganic Chemistry
One year of Organic Chemistry
One year of Physics

NEIU Equivalent
BIOL 102 and 103
CHEM 211 and 212
CHEM 231 and 232
PHYS 201 and 203, PHYS 202 and 204


Since most pre-health students major in one of the sciences, particularly biology, these requirements are usually exceeded. Regardless of the student's major, it is important that students perform well in the science component of their undergraduate curriculum. Success in pursuing a career in the health professions is contingent on a strong science background. Therefore, it is beneficial for students to exceed the core curriculum in order to maximize their potential for success in professional programs.

Again, it is important to recognize that the basic requirements mentioned above only serve to frame the discussion of what the student should take during their undergraduate studies at NEIU. The course work will need to be adjusted to meet the specific requirements of certain professional schools. This is done in collaboration with the student's pre-professional advisor.

Examples of adjustments that NEIU students frequently encounter are:

1. Pharmacy schools will often require 3 semester hours of calculus, 3 or 4 semester hours of human or vertebrate anatomy, 3 semester hours of economics, and 2 or 3 hours of speech in addition to the aforementioned required courses.

2. Optometry schools will often require 3 semester hours of calculus, 3 semester hours of statistics, and 3 semester hours of microbiology with laboratory. However, they only require 3 semester hours of organic chemistry (without laboratory).

3. Dental schools do not necessarily require more than 4 semester hours of organic chemistry, although the total chemistry requirement may be such that the second semester of organic chemistry will be needed. They tend to give strongest consideration to applicants that take at least 3 upper division courses from the following list: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Histology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology.

4. The same often applies to medical schools. Applicants are expected to take upper division biology courses to fill out their requirements for admission. Examine the websites of the individual medical schools and the aforementioned booklet to get specific requirements.

5. Veterinary medicine programs may require only 8 semester hours of biology, but it is strongly encouraged that students take additional course work in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, advanced biology, and genetics. The chemistry requirement will include biochemistry.

How heavy should the student's course load be?
If a student is just beginning their undergraduate experience, it might be prudent to start with a relatively light load of science and math courses However, as they progress in their studies they should eventually be able to take 2 to 3 courses per semester in the sciences and math and be able to attain good grades. The curriculum in professional schools is rigorous and this will demonstrate a level of academic competence that is necessary for success in these programs.

In addition to course work requirements, most professional schools require applicants to take some type of standardized examination. There are specific tests for medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, and optometry school. Colleges of veterinary medicine usually accept the Graduate Record Exam. Generally speaking, it is recommended that students take these exams in the spring of their junior year. This will allow early completion of the student's application portfolio and will give some breathing space if the student finds it necessary to repeat the exam.

Specific times that exams are offered and further information about the exams can be accessed at the following websites

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) www.aamc.org/mcat

Dental Admissions Test (DAT) www.ada.org

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) www.pcatweb.info

Optometry Admission Test (OAT) www.opted.org

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) www.gre.org





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