Pre-Professional Programs
Who are pre-professionals?
Many LaGrange College students go on to earn advanced degrees and attend professional
school – most often to pursue medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary or law careers.
Why begin your professional training at LaGrange?
Many majors require the same courses for graduation as professional schools require
for admission. You can include a pre-professional concentration in your academic
major without extending the time to graduate. And you won't have to figure out
the best way to get into professional school on your own. LaGrange provides advisors
to assist students who are applying to professional school.
Dentistry
Though you don't have to officially declare Dentistry as a major or minor, you
still will have to take some extra classes depending on which program you plan
to attend after graduation. It's best to get together with the Health Pre-professional
Advisor early-on to help formulate a game plan.
Typically, you are required to take two semesters each of General Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry and General Biology. One or more semesters of Physics and English should
be completed by the end of your junior year.
LaGrange offers shadowing and internship opportunities that will help you gain
essential field experience for admission to a professional Dentistry school. Again,
as you plan ahead, the Health Pre-professional Advisor can be a valuable resource.
Engineering
As a dual-degree engineering student, you will complete at least 90 semester hours
(approximately three years) at LaGrange College, then continue your studies at
Georgia Tech or Auburn for another two to three years. Upon graduation, you will
have earned two diplomas, one from our top-notch liberal arts college plus an engineering
degree from one of the country's best engineering schools.
Journalism/Communications
Because of the variety of vocations in the field of journalism, LaGrange College
offers students a broad base of knowledge and skills fundamental to all forms of
journalism. Communication courses cover media production and print media. Internship/volunteer
positions on the campus newspaper, local daily newspaper and radio, cable and broadcast
TV stations provide practical experience in such aspects of journalism as editorial
work, news reporting, proofreading, sports-casting, advertising, radio script writing
and layout.
Law
Almost any major can give you the necessary background for a law career, but you
have to plan ahead. The pre-law advising committee will help you get on the right
track, meeting with you during your freshman year to guide you in the right direction.
Law school bulletins (with requirements for different programs) and LSAT guides
are available on campus.
Medicine (M.D.)
You'll begin the pre-med track by consulting with your Health Pre-professional
Advisor and declaring a major. Past LC grads accepted to medical school have majored
in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or Psychology, but any major is acceptable
as long as the specified 32 hour core of sciences is completed – a core that includes
Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics.
Pre-med track students should be prepared to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission
Test) during the spring of their junior year. Prior to admission, medical schools
look for demonstrated signs of your desire and commitment. That's where the shadowing
and internship opportunities offered by LaGrange can make a real difference. They
not only help you gain experience, but also display your interest and willingness
to work.
Pharmacy
While it is not required for entrance to pharmacy school, most students complete
an undergraduate degree first – typically one in General Biology, General Chemistry,
Organic Chemistry, Physics, Economics, English or Behavioral Science.
Different pharmacy schools have different admission requirements, so contact your
Health Pre-professional Advisor as early as possible to discuss your options. At
the same time, ask about the shadowing and internship opportunities offered through
the College. Real-world experience in a retail or clinical pharmacy environment
can be invaluable.
Physician Assistant (P.A.)
Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals licensed to practice
medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities,
PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests,
assist in surgery and write prescriptions (in most states).
For students interested in a career as a physician assistant, LaGrange College
offers undergraduate coursework focusing in the biological and chemical sciences.
Prerequisite requirements of post-graduate physician assistant schools vary from
university to university. Your Health Pre-professional Advisor stands ready to
help you select a major and individual courses corresponding to the requirements
of your target post-graduate institution.
Physical Therapy
Nearly all Physical Therapy Schools have moved to the Doctor of Physical Therapy
(DPT) program and require completion of a bachelor's degree prior to admission.
Coursework varies substantially between schools, so consult with your Health Pre-professional
Advisor at the earliest opportunity to identify target schools and plan an appropriate
course of study.
Most physical therapy programs require significant experience in both in-patient
and out-patient settings to be considered for admission. LaGrange's shadowing and
internship programs provide opportunities to begin gaining that essential experience.
Seminary
Seminary students at LaGrange often major in religion and can choose a special
emphasis such as youth ministry or church leadership. Other popular pre-seminary
majors are history, philosophy, psychology and English.
Faculty members stand ready to advise pre-seminary students regarding the selection
of a major and of individual courses in light of the requirements of the target
seminary. There is also an active program of discussions and social gatherings
for those in Seminary program.
Veterinary Medicine
Most veterinary schools want applicants to have some previous experience working
with large and small animals along with at least 54 semester hours of college credit
in specific fields. The majority of this coursework overlaps the Bachelor of Science
in Biology major, so it is the preferred track for LaGrange students.
Vet Schools use the Graduate Regents Exam (GRE) as an admission requirement, and
some schools additionally require the GRE subject exam in Biology. All testing
needs to be completed no later than the fall of your senior year. The department
will work with you during your freshman year to create a plan for winning admission
to the vet school of your choice. If you're planning to go the pre-veterinary route,
you should choose a major and meet with the Health Pre-Professional Advisor as
early as possible.