Pre-Chiropractic Curriculum

Pre-Chiropractic is not a major at Southeast Missouri State University. It is possible to gain preparation for chiropractic school while pursuing any academic major in the university; however, most students find that the preponderance of biology course work required by chiropractic schools make the biomedical sciences option in biology an attractive major. The Biology: Biomedical Science option is designed specifically for students in the pre-health professions. There are not a large number of chiropractic schools in the United States and students should obtain the admission requirements from the schools to which they plan to apply. This information should then be used to plan the student's academic program. This planning is done in consultation with the pre-chiropractic advisor in the Department of Biology.

 

Pre-Dental Curriculum

Pre-Denistry is not a major at Southeast Missouri State University. It is possible to gain preparation for dental school while pursuing any academic major in the university; however, most students find that the preponderance of biology coursework required by dental schools, and for preparation for the DAT, makes the biomedical sciences option in biology an attractive major. The Biology: Biomedical Sciences option is designed especially for students in the pre-health professions. Students should see the pre-dental advisor during their first semester at Southeast. Most dental schools have similar pre-professional course requirements. It is recommended, however, that you check out the specific requirements for the schools you are interested in and include these in your planning. For example, three schools require calculus. Make your "pool" of potential schools as big as potential. There are 54 accredited dental schools in the United States. This information can be obtained from the pre-dental advisor in the Department of Biology.

 

Pre-Engineering Curriculum

The two-year pre-engineering curriculum is designed so that students can receive a degree from an engineering school after an additional two years of study. The curriculum is closely articulated with programs at the University of Missouri-Rolla and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Transfer brochures have been prepared in cooperation with both universities and are available to students. Students planning to attend another engineering school should consult the catalog from that institution and arrange their programs with a pre-engineering advisor.

Students expecting to enroll in the pre-engineering program should have a mathematics background in high school of at least one year of geometry, two years of algebra, and one year of pre-calculus mathematics which includes trigonometry. If these requirements are not met it will be necessary to correct any deficiencies upon entering the University. Generally, this necessitates attending an additional summer term prior to transferring. Provisions have been made to accommodate students in this category.

Students should complete from 64 to 68 credit hours prior to transferring if they expect to complete an engineering degree in four years. This includes not only required courses in mathematics, physics, and engineering, but also courses in the humanities and the social sciences. Students who maintain a high academic standing will be eligible for transfer scholarships. A pre-engineering advisor in the Department of Physics and Engineering Physics should be consulted for details regarding the pre-engineering program.

 

Pre-Law Curriculum

Students interested in attending law school after graduation should understand that there is no single pre-law curriculum. Rigidly structured "pre-law majors" are in fact strongly discouraged by schools of law. A wide variety of undergraduate majors are suitable as law school preparation, provided that they have a strong academic content. Courses that develop a student's ability to think logically and to express thoughts lucidly in written form are strongly suggested.

While there is no specific "pre-law major", the Department of Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion provides pre-law advising to those students, regardless of actual major, who are considering a career in law. Such advising includes recommending to students various schools of law which may be most appropriate for them, assisting students with the law school application process (including the Law School Admission Test), and recommending undergraduate preparation for the subsequent law school experience.

 

Pre-Medical Curriculum

Pre-medicine is not a major at Southeast Missouri State University. It is possible to gain preparation for medical school while pursuing any academic major in the university; however, most students find that the preponderance of biology coursework required by medical schools, and for preparation for the MCAT, makes the biomedical sciences option in biology an attractive major. The Biology: Biomedical Sciences option is designed especially for students in the pre-health professions. Students should see the pre-medical advisor during their first semester at Southeast. Medical school admission has been characterized for some years by more applicants than entering students. This trend will certainly continue for some years in the future. As a result, students should realistically prepare themselves for more than one career. Allied elective coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics can broaden career opportunities. A strong background in liberal arts is desirable. Information about the program is available from a pre-medical advisor in the Department of Biology.

 

Pre-Optometry Curriculum

Pre-optometry is not a major at Southeast Missouri State University. It is possible to gain preparation for optometry school while pursuing any academic major in the university; however, most students find that the preponderance of biology coursework required by optometry schools, and for preparation for the OAT, makes the biomedical sciences option in biology an attractive major. The Biology: Biomedical Sciences option is designed especially for students in the pre-health professions. Students should see the pre-optometry advisor during their first semester at Southeast. There are only 17 optometry schools in the United States and the entrance requirements are quite similar, however there are slight variations. The student should be familiar with the entrance requirements for several schools (for example, three schools require two semester of organic chemistry) and prepare themselves appropriately so that they could potentially be eligible for all of those schools. This planning is done in consultation with the pre-optometry advisor in the Department of Biology.

 

Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum

Since there are more than 70 schools of pharmacy in the United States, pre-pharmacy should be advised according to the bulletin(s) of the school(s) to which the student is considering transfer. While each program is unique, most programs are either one or two years in length, and usually require chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and English, in addition to certain specified courses in other fields. Students interested in pre-pharmacy should contact Dr. Bruce Hathaway, the pre-pharmacy advisor in the Department of Chemistry as early as possible in the enrollment process.

 

Pre-Physical Therapy Curriculum

Most physical therapy programs require completion of a bachelor's degree prior to admission (e.g., Southwest Missouri State University). Students preparing for application to such programs must declare a major at Southeast in addition to declaring pre-physical therapy. Health Management, Biology, Chemistry Recreation and Human Environmental Studies/Dietetics option majors are particularly complementary to physical therapy preparation as they include many of the prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses commonly include biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology and English.

Some physical therapy programs accept transfer students after completion of 60 hours of prerequisite courses, after which students continue as juniors in a combined BS/MS program. Students planning to apply to such programs do not need to declare a major at Southeast but should declare pre-physical therapy.

Because each physical therapy program designates its own requirements for admission, students should pay close attention to the prerequisites of schools where they plan to apply. Students pursuing pre-physical therapy should contact the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation as early as possible in the enrollment process.

 

Pre-Veterinary Curriculum

Students preparing for application to a professional Veterinary Medicine Program for completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree must enroll in a pre-professional program.

The minimum requirements for admission to most professional programs include 64 hours of coursework (the pre-professional program), completion of the MCAT or GRE and acceptance by the College of Veterinary Medicine to which the student makes application.

Specific subjects required in the pre-professional program include English, college algebra, biology, chemistry (inorganic, organic and biochemistry), physics, and certain University Studies courses. Courses in animal science are also recommended. Students should consult the current catalog of the College of Veterinary Medicine they plan to attend and develop their program in conference with the Pre-Veterinary Medicine advisor.

Students enrolled in the pre-professional program should plan a four-year degree program along with the Pre-Veterinary Medicine program. Students enrolling at Southeast Missouri State University will find majors in Agriculture, Chemistry, or Biology particularly complementary to the D.V.M. program. For more information, contact the School of Polytechnic Studies Advising Center.

 

Pre-Vocational Agriculture Education Curriculum

Students interested in certification to teach Vocational Agriculture enroll in a three-year pre-agriculture education program and complete the fourth year at a certifying institution.

University Studies and core courses in agriculture may be completed prior to transfer. Students will apply for admission to a teacher education program after transferring.

Agricultural education prepares students to be instructors of vocational agriculture in public high schools and area vocational technical schools. It can also prepare students for careers in many other areas such as agricultural business and industry.

Students may specialize in particular fields such as mechanization, economics, agronomy or horticulture. It is an exciting field that provides the opportunity to guide and develop, through instruction, the future leaders of our nation's agricultural industry.