Pre-Professional Programs

Your journey toward admission to a professional school or graduate degree program starts here

As you map out your future as a doctor, dentist, vet, or physical therapist, you need a solid bachelor’s degree foundation to help you stand out when applying to professional programs. The Marian University Pre-Professional Programs will build your skills and confidence through state-of-the-art scientific research opportunities and the chance to participate in investigative lab experiences, internships, and field study. Your Marian experience will strengthen your admissions application to the professional school or graduate degree program of your choice.

You will participate in a variety of courses that will focus on the health sciences as well as general education. While most students pursue a biology major with a chemistry minor, or a chemistry major with a biology minor as part of the programs, you may participate in the pre-professional program within a variety of majors. With the guidance of your advisor, plan your course load that meets admission requirements of graduate and professional schools across the nation.

Marian Graduates Stand Out When Applying to a Professional Program. Learn More!

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Marian University Pre-Professional Programs include:

  • Pre-Physical Therapy

  • Pre-Physician Assistant

  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine

  • Pre-Dental

  • Pre-Medical

  • Pre-Optometry

  • Pre-Pharmacy

Curriculum

Marian offers several pre-professional programs, including: Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. While most students pursue a biology major with a chemistry minor, or a chemistry major with a biology minor as part of the programs, you may participate in the pre-professional programs within a variety of majors.

Students desiring a pre-professional degree in one of the health sciences in preparation for applying to dental, medical, veterinary, physician assistant, pharmacy, optometry, and physical therapy programs are advised to pursue a biology major/chemistry minor or a chemistry major/biology minor.

General Education Courses

As a bachelor’s level student, you are required to take about 30 credits of general education courses as part of the 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree. General education courses are required regardless of your major.

All students take 10.5 to 17 credits in these areas:

  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Argumentative and Research Writing
  • Introduction to Christian Theology
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Introduction to Ethical Reasoning
  • First Year Studies

Core Courses

Pre-professional programs majors will take courses covering topics such as:

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Invertebrate Zoology and Lab
  • Botany and Lab
  • Genetics

Marian’s pre-professional programs prepare you for a variety of post-baccalaureate options, including admission into a variety of professional schools or graduate degree programs. Recent graduates have acquired a nearly 97 percent placement rate into graduate or professional programs following graduation, and include placements such as: the University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Arizona, San Diego State University and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

For nearly 80 years, Marian University has been educating leaders in the healthcare field. With a solid background in the health sciences you’ll find Marian’s pre-professional programs aim to help you become a leader in a variety of career fields.