Pre-professional Programs
Jump start your professional career
Our pre-professional programs will give you the knowledge and research opportunities you need, to prepare you for the next educational step. These programs intertwine with your chosen major, so you’ll be ready for an additional two to four years of graduate study.
Get excited, get engaged
DSU also offers the chance to discover internships or apprenticeships through Handshake. You’ll attend conferences, workshops, and various other networking events. Attorneys, accountants, and health care professionals are just a few of the people you'll meet, to expand your professional connections.
Pre-professional programs
Nursing is a profession within the health care sector and is focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities. Nurses will help attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Our pre-nursing curriculum includes the prerequisites for most nursing college admissions.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in: Biology (BS), Exercise Science (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Exercise Science: Dr. David DeJong, College of Education
Allied health professionals include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in:
- Athletic training
- Audiology
- Biology
- Cardiovascular Perfusion Technology
- Cytotechnology
- Dental Hygiene
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Dietetics
- Emergency Medical Sciences
- Exercise Science
- Health Administration
- Health Informatics and Information Management
- Medical Technology
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Radiation Therapy Technology
- Radiography
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Respiratory Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy Technology
- Speech-language Pathology
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Exercise Science: Kari Hall, College of Arts and Sciences
Health Information Administration: Renae Spohn, College of Business and Information Systems
Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who work as part of a collaborative inter-professional health care team. They work with physicians and other health care professionals to provide injury/illness prevention and wellness protection, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, treatment and rehabilitation and organizational and professional health and well-being.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in: Exercise Science (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Exercise Science: Dr. David DeJong, College of Education
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. The curriculum for most chiropractic schools is an earned bachelor’s degree.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in Biology (BS), Exercise Science (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Exercise Science: Dr. David DeJong, College of Education
Dentistry consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, and the adjacent and related structures and tissues. Most dental schools require coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in Biology (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Law is the study, development, and application of rules of conduct.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in: Business Administration (BS), Cyber Leadership and Intelligence (BS), English for New Media (BS), Professional Accountancy (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Business and Professional Accountancy Majors: Dr. Scott Morstad, College of Business and Information Systems
Cyber Leadership and Intelligence: David Kenley, College of Arts and Sciences
English for New Media: Dr. Stacey Berry, College of Arts and SciencesMedicine is the science and practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. For students considering medical school, DSU’s pre-medicine program will prepare you for admission into medical school.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in: Biology (BS), Exercise Science (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Exercise Science: Dr. David DeJong, College of Education
Occupational therapists are health care professionals trained to empower individuals to reach their own goals and to maximize their independence in personal care, work, school, play and leisure activities. The pre-occupational therapy curriculum is designed to prepare students for admission to programs in Occupational Therapy.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in: Biology (BS), Exercise Science (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Exercise Science: Dr. David DeJong, College of Education
Optometry is a health care profession that involves examining the eyes and applicable visual systems for defects or abnormalities as well as the medical diagnosis and management of eye disease. The pre-optometry curriculum is designed to prepare students for admission to Optometric School.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in Biology (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Pharmacy is the science or practice for the preparation and dispensing of medicinal drugs. The pharmacy curriculum is typically divided into a two-year pre-pharmacy phase and a four-year professional phase. Pre-pharmacy curriculum typically includes coursework in biological and physical sciences, social sciences, economics, mathematics, English, and communications.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in Biology (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Physical therapists seek to prevent injury, impairments, functional limitations, and disability; to maintain and promote fitness, health, and quality of life; and to ensure availability, accessibility, and excellence in the delivery of physical therapy services to the patient. The pre-physical therapy curriculum is designed to prepare students for admission to the entry-level doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in Biology (BS), Exercise Science (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Exercise Science: Dr. David DeJong, College of Education
A Physician’s Assistant is a medical professional who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine. By design, physicians and PAs work together as a team. The pre-Physician Assistant program is designed to prepare students for admission to a Master’s degree program in Physician Assistant Studies. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission.
Depending on your interests, you could pursue a degree in Biology (BS)
Program Coordinator/Contact:
Biology: Andrew Sathoff, College of Arts and Sciences
Veterinary medicine trains an individual to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries of various animal species. This program is for students pursuing a Biology or Chemistry program, to prepare themselves for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.