Pre-Health Professions Programs

If you wish to pursue a career as a doctor, veterinarian, optometrist, dentist or pharmacist, you need a strong background in the basic sciences. This will enable you not only to score well on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), but also prepare you well for the high level of competition you will face in your chosen professional field.

The pre-professional tracks for dentistry, optometry, medicine, veterinary medicine and pharmacy are focused on a strong science background. Because of this emphasis, these pre-professional students often choose biology or chemistry as their undergraduate major. However, these students may choose any undergraduate major provided the core of pre-professional courses is completed prior to the student's entrance into his or her chosen professional program.

After the first two years, pre-med and pre-veterinary students often go on to complete degree requirements for a major in either biology or chemistry. Pre-pharmacy students sometimes transfer after the sophomore or junior year to a school of pharmacy. Pre-dentistry students sometimes transfer after their third year but usually follow the biology major track. In addition to the sciences, most medical and veterinary schools have general education requirements and recommended electives such as English, speech, psychology, computer programming, and nutrition. Students are urged to consult catalogs of desired professional schools for specific requirements.

The St. Scholastica Biology Department is very strong in human biology. Our department will provide you with a view of the human from the anatomical to the molecular. In addition to our focus on the biology of the human, we also provide you with many other courses and opportunities in biology.

The St. Scholastica Biology Department is smaller than science departments in large university settings, an advantage that allows extensive interaction with the faculty. We go to great lengths to provide help and encouragement outside of class. This is the rule rather than the exception.

We are proud that our St. Scholastica graduates go on to professional schools prepared with broad-based laboratory skills, sound research experience, good study habits, and confidence in their ability to succeed. And succeed they do. Recent graduates are attending the UMD Medical School, the UM Medical School, the Graduate Genetic Counseling Program at the University of Wisconsin Madison, the UM Veterinarian school, the UM Pharmacy School, and the UM Dental School.

For Further Information

If you would like more information about our program or financial aid contact:

Admissions Office
The College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, Minnesota 55811
(218) 723-6046 or 1-800-447-5444
TTY/TDD (218) 723-6790
e-mail: admissions@css.edu

Visitors are always welcome! To help us best plan for your visit, please call us in advance.

The College of St. Scholastica is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Pre-Health Professions Advisory Board