Pre-Professional Health Sciences, General Emphasis, B.S.

Pre-Professional Health Sciences

The Pre-Professional Health Sciences major is an interdisciplinary major that features experiences and coursework to prepare students for entry into follow-on professional programs culminating in a variety of health-related careers. Articulation agreements are in place to support acceptance of students with strong academic performance into professional programs. This major can also be adapted for the specific needs of students interested in interdisciplinary graduate programs in the life sciences. The major curriculum includes general coursework in the basic sciences, psychology, ethics, professional preparation, and statistics in conjunction with one of five emphasis areas tailored to requirements for application to specific health-related follow-on programs. Each emphasis area reserves room for professional electives to allow maximum flexibility to meet specific school per-requisites based on anticipated applications. Professional electives must be approved by the student’s Academic Advisor and Program Coordinator no later than the spring of the student’s junior year.

Articulation Agreements with the following colleges and universities exist and should be discussed with the student’s Academic Advisor or Program Coordinator:

• Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
• Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin College, Master of Science in Physician Assistant
• University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy at Shenandoah University, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Sherman College of Chiropractic, Doctor of Chiropractic
• New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
• Shenandoah University, Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin College, Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Shenandoah University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
• Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin College, Doctor of Occupational Therapy
• East Tennessee State University, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Second Degree)
• Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Second Degree)
• Shenandoah University, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (second degree)
• Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (second degree)

General Emphasis

The General Emphasis includes coursework in health sciences covering cellular through organismal perspectives and permits maximum flexibility for a student with general or undeveloped interests in health sciences through the large professional elective allowance. Careful planning of professional electives is important to ensure a variety of coursework and experiences and to prepare for potential application to specific programs and schools. This emphasis may be planned to support application to a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences program (see Articulation Agreements list) among others. The General Emphasis may not be combined with another emphasis area in the Pre-Professional Health Sciences major.

Total Credit Hours Required in Major: 55

Total Credit Hours Required in Degree: 121