Pre-Health Tracks

Pre-Professional health science programs prepare students for entry into professional degree programs through organized academic planning and preparation. UW-Eau Claire's rigorous and respected academics offer strong training and preparation for entry into the health professions. In addition there are multiple campus organizations and local opportunities for students interested in pursuing a health professional career. The following information provides guidance for students as they develop their academic plans. Students are encouraged to meet with their ARCC and Health Careers advisor early and throughout their time at UW-Eau Claire. Learn more about academics at UW-Eau Claire.

Pre Professional Health Advising Guides

• Pre-Athletic Training
• Pre-Chiropractic
• Pre-Dentistry
• Pre-Medicine
• Pre-Occupational Therapy
• Pre-Optometry
• Pre-Pharmacy
• Pre-Physician Assistant
• Pre-Physical Therapy
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Pre-Athletic Training

Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic Trainers can be found working in many settings, including public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and Olympic sports, independently owned youth sports facilities, physicians’ practices (similar to nurses, physician’s assistants, physical therapists, and other clinical healthcare professionals), rural and urban hospitals, hospital emergency rooms, urgent and ambulatory care centers, sports medicine clinics, police and fire departments and academies, branches of the military, and in the performing arts including professional and collegiate-level dance and music programs.

Pre-Athletic Training at UWEC

Pre-Athletic Training is a program of study, not an academic major.  UW-Eau Claire offers a 4+1 Masters of Athletic Training (MSAT), this program allows students to earn both a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and a master's degree in Athletic Training in 5 academic years.  Note: for students who plan to apply elsewhere, no specific academic major is required for pre-Athletic Training.

Admission Requirements:

Requirements will vary by school, due to differently structured programs.  Students should research and identify early which schools they plan to apply to, so that the undergraduate experience can be planned accordingly.  Application to UWEC’s Master’s in Athletic Training program will require:

• A completed Bachelor's degree with any major from an accredited institution or are part of the UWEC 4 + 1 academic track.
• Completion of all prerequisite courses.
• Competitive overall and science GPAs.
• Observational experience in Athletic Training (50- 100 hours).
• Letters of recommendation (at least one from a licensed Athletic Trainer).
• Completed application with Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS).
• Face-to-face interview with UWEC Athletic Training faculty.

Required Pre-AT Courses for UWEC’s Exercise Science/Athletic Training program: (Note that admission requirements and prerequisites may differ for other school’s programs, so it is important to check for specific requirements if you plan to attend a school outside of UWEC.) A printable version is available in Blugold Intranet(UWEC password access required)

Recommended Courses: The following courses are recommended by some athletic training programs:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE): Although this exam is not required for application to UWEC’s Athletic Training program, it may be required by other schools’ programs. The exam consists of 3 sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. It is often taken in the spring semester or summer following the junior year. Go to: https://www.ets.org/gre.html for more information on the GRE.

Suggested Pre-AT Curriculum:

• For UW-Eau Claire’s MSAT 4+1 Program, see sample plan and consult with your ARCC advisor on planning your degree and understanding admissions requirements.
• For those applying to programs outside of UWEC, it is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester to plan their major area of study and their pre-Athletic Training curriculum.

Regional Programs
Some schools in our region with Athletic Training programs:

• University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI
• University of Wisconsin—La Crosse, La Crosse, WI
• Carroll University, Waukesha, WI
• Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
• Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI
• Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
• University of Wisconsin—Green Bay, Green Bay, WI
• University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
• The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
• Winona State University, Winona, MN
• For a list of all schools: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education 

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Student Athletic Trainers' Association to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and AT schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

Learn more about UWEC Pre-Athletic Training here!

Pre-Chiropractic

The primary focus of chiropractic is the relationship of the neurological and structural systems of the body as they relate to health. The responsibilities of a Doctor of Chiropractic include wellness promotion, health assessment, diagnosis and the chiropractic management of the patient’s health care needs. When indicated, a Doctor of Chiropractic consults with, co-manages, or refers to other health care providers. Pre-chiropractic is a program of study, not an academic major. No specific academic major is required in the pre-chiropractic program. A majority of students will choose one of the following majors to complete their pre-chiropractic requirements:

• Comprehensive major in Rehabilitation Science or Exercise Science 
• Biology standard major

Admission Requirements:

• A minimum of 90 semester hours of college education (Bachelor's degree with any major from an accredited institution is required to practice in many states)
• A minimum of 24 credits in Life and Physical Science courses and at least half of these courses must have a lab component.
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive overall and science GPAs (3.0 overall average for those accepted)
• Competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score (required for some programs)
• Observation or work experience with a licensed chiropractor
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed application- No centralized application for chiropractic schools.
• Interview required by many programs

Suggested Pre-Chiropractic Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

Non-Academic Considerations: Applicants must provide evidence of ability to communicate, relating with others, involvement in extracurricular activities, character, integrity, emotional stability, and motivation for chiropractic. The strongest applicants have experience volunteering or working with a chiropractor.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE): This standardized exam is required for admission to some chiropractic programs. The exam consists of 3 sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. It is often taken in the spring semester or summer following the junior year. Go to: http://www.ets.org/gre for more information on the GRE.

Creating a Pre-Chiropractic Academic Plan:

It is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester to plan their major area of study and their pre-chiro curriculum. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-chiropractic requirements into their overall graduation plan.

Regional Programs
Some schools in our region with Chiropractic Programs:

• Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN
• Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa
• National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, IL
• Logan University,Chesterfield, MO
• LIFE University, Marietta, GA
• For a list of chiropractic programs: Council on Chiropractic Education or Association of Chriopractic Colleges.
• Learn more about chiropractic medicine at the American Chiropractic Association (ACA)

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Kins Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and AT schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

Learn more about UWEC Pre-Chiropractic here!

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Dentistry is a career intention, not an academic major. Dental school admissions committees consider applicants from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, and have completed the core group of pre‐dent courses, including the basic preparatory work for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). A student’s major should be one that the student enjoys and will support an alternative career. There are over 60 dental schools in the United States, that award advanced professional degrees of either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD). Although there is not a specific required major for pre-dentistry students, many students choose one of the following majors:

• Biology standard major and chemistry minor OR pre-professional health science minor
• Biology comprehensive major in Microbiology
• Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Comprehensive Major
• Chemistry Comprehensive Major

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with any major from an accredited institution is required by most
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive overall and science GPAs (3.4 overall average for those accepted)
• Competitive Dental Admission Test (DAT) score
• Experience in a dental/oral health office or clinic
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed application with American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) (for most programs)
• Interview

Required Pre-Dentistry Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school, so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

*CHEM 115 requires a strong background in high school math and chemistry

Recommended Courses: For a competitive application, dental schools recommend taking additional strong sciences electives as well as courses in social sciences and humanities Many students find the following courses to be helpful in dental school courses and in achieving competitive scores on the DAT:

Dental Admission Test (DAT): This standardized exam is required for admission into dental school. The exam consists of 4 parts: (1) natural sciences (biology & chemistry), (2) reading comprehension, (3) quantitative reasoning (math), and (4) perceptual ability. The test is offered by computer at Prometric Learning Centers at various locations around the country (www.prometric.com/). There is a 90-day waiting period before the test can be taken a second time. Go to: www.ada.org for more information on the DAT.

Non-Academic Considerations: Applicants are required to obtain experience in the dental profession. This should include experiences with a variety of dental specialties and is typically done through several dentists or dental care providers. These healthcare professionals can provide important recommendations to support your application to dental school. Seek out health related experiences, job shadowing and volunteering opportunities early!

Creating a Pre-Dentistry Academic Plan:

It is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester to plan their major area of study and their pre-dentistry curriculum. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-dental requirements into their overall graduation plan.

For more information about planning for Dental School, visit the ADEA Dental School Application Quick Guide.

Regional Programs
Some schools in our region with Dentistry programs:

•  Marquette University School of Dentistry  Milwaukee, WI
•  University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN
•  For a list of all accredited Dental Schools visit ADEA Deciding Where to Apply

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Pre-Professional Health Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and dental schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

Learn more about UWEC pre-dentistry here!

Pre-Medicine

Pre-Medicine is a career intention, not an academic major. Medical school admissions committees consider applicants from a wide variety of academic backgrounds. Students must complete a core group of pre-med courses, including the basic preparatory work for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). In other words, there is no “official” pre-med major. A student’s major should be one that the student enjoys and will support any career of their choice. Demonstrated competencies in areas including interpersonal, intrapersonal, thinking and reasoning, and science are of greater importance to admissions committees than the chosen major or the number of science courses taken. There are two types of medical schools in the United States, allopathic medical schools (MD) and osteopathic medical schools (DO). Medical school education consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in the basic sciences, and clinical training. MDs and DOs enter a residency program of three or more years directly after medical school to gain advanced clinical training.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with any major from an accredited institution
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive overall and science GPAs (3.7 overall average for those accepted)
• Competitive Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) score
• Healthcare experience and/or shadowing
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed application with American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or American Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
• Interview

Required Pre-Medicine Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

*CHEM 115 requires a strong background in high school math and chemistry

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): This standardized exam is required for admission to nearly all MD and DO schools. The exam consists of 4 parts: (1) Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, (2) Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, (3) Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior, and (4) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. More information on the MCAT: www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/

Strongly Recommended Courses: Many students find the following courses to be helpful in medical school courses and in achieving competitive scores on the MCAT:

Non-Academic Considerations: Applicants must obtain experience in healthcare. Seek out health-related experiences, work experiences, job shadowing and volunteering opportunities early! See the Health Careers Center resources on shadowing and volunteering.

Creating a Pre-Medicine Academic Plan:

It is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester to plan their major area of study and their pre-med curriculum. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-med requirements into their overall graduation plan.

Regional Programs
Some schools in our region with MD or DO programs.

• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, WI (MD)
• Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (MD)
  • Medical College of Wisconsin- Central Wisconsin, Wausau, WI (MD)
  • Medical College of Wisconsin- Green Bay, Green Bay WI (MD)
• University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN (MD) 
  • University of Minnesota Medical School- Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN (MD)
  • University of Minnesota Medical School- St. Cloud Campus (CentraCare), St. Cloud, MN (MD)
• Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN (MD)
• Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DO) 
• For a list of all DO schools and additional resources visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine(AACOM)- Choose DO Explorer
• For a list of all MD schools and additional resources visit the Association of American Medical Colleges(AAMC) 

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Pre-Professional Health Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and medical schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

Learn more about UWEC Pre-Medicine here!

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Programs in occupational therapy prepare students to work with children and adults who have physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities that interfere with their ability to function independently and engage in daily activities. Occupational therapists serve as critical members of a comprehensive treatment team, frequently consulting with physicians, physical and speech therapists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, vocational counselors, teachers, other allied health specialists, and family members. They blend a scientific knowledge of the human body and mind with an understanding of the numerous individual, social, and environmental challenges associated with disability. Occupational therapy education programs are presently at the master’s level; thus, completion of a bachelor’s degree will be required for admission. Pre-occupational therapy is a program of study, not an academic major. No specific academic major is required in the pre-occupational therapy program. However, most students will choose one of the following majors:

• Comprehensive major in Rehabilitation Science or Exercise Science 
• Psychology major with Kinesiology minor

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with any major from an accredited institution
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive overall and science GPAs (3.4 overall average for those accepted)
• Competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score (required for some programs)
• Observational or work experience in occupational therapy
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed application with Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) (for some programs)
• Interview required by many programs

Required Pre-OT Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school, so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

Non-Academic Considerations: All occupational therapy programs require observational or actual work experience in occupational therapy prior to admission. Check each occupational therapy school’s admissions requirements to determine the minimum number of observational hours.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE): This standardized exam is required for admission to most occupational therapy programs. The exam consists of 3 sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. It is often taken in the spring semester or summer following the junior year. Go to: www.ets.org/gre for more information on the GRE.

Creating a Pre-Occupational Therapy Academic Plan:

It is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester to plan their major area of study and their pre-OT curriculum. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-chiropractic requirements into their overall graduation plan.

Regional Programs

• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• Concordia University of Wisconsin, Mequon, WI   
• College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
• University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI
• University of Wisc.– Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
• University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, WI
• Carroll University, Waukesha, WI
• Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI
• For more information and to learn more about occupational therapy American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Kins Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and OT schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

Learn more about UWEC Pre-Occupational Therapy here!

Pre-Optometry

Optometrists are independent, primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system. They measure for and prescribe glasses and contacts; diagnose and treat eye coordination and focusing issues; treat eye diseases, such as glaucoma; and detect systemic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Optometrists also perform non-invasive surgical procedures. Most optometrists are in private practice, but there is a growing trend towards working in partnerships and groups. Schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Canada award the degree of Doctor of Optometry (OD). Generally, colleges of optometry admit students with strong academic commitment and demonstrated potential to excel in deductive reasoning, interpersonal communication, and empathy. Optometry schools are looking for "well-rounded" candidates who have achieved not only in the classroom but also in other areas.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (any major)
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive cumulative and prerequisite GPAs (3.4 average for those accepted)
• Competitive Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) score
• Optometrist shadowing hours (required by most programs)
• Letters of recommendation (most programs require at least one from an optometrist)
• Completed application with Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS)
• Interview

Required Pre-Optometry Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

*CHEM 115 requires a strong background in high school math and chemistry

Optometry Admission Test (OAT): This standardized exam is required for admission to all optometry schools. The exam consists of 4 parts: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning. For more information on the OAT, visit https://oat.ada.org/

Non-Academic Considerations: Applicants must obtain experience with a practicing optometrist. Seek out health-related experiences, job shadowing and volunteering opportunities early!

Creating a Pre-Optometry Academic Plan:

It is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester to plan their major area of study and their pre-Optometry curriculum. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-opt requirements into their overall graduation plan.

Regional Programs

• Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL
• Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
• Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• For a list of all programs, visit the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Pre-Professional Health Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and optometry schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

Learn more about UWEC Pre-Optometry here!

Pre-Pharmacy

Pharmacists are experts on drugs and drug therapy. Pharmacists package and dispense prescription medications, advise on use of non-prescriptive drugs, and calculate doses and prepare medicines for patients. Pharmacists with an interest in academic or research pharmacy teach in hospitals, universities, or medical schools, or pursue a career with a pharmaceutical company. Pharmacy programs grant the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). The PharmD is a four-year program that requires at least two years of college study prior to admittance, although most applicants have earned a bachelor’s degree. Students who apply to a PharmD program without a bachelor’s degree are less competitive than those who have completed a degree.

Admission Requirements:

• Minimum of 60-95 credits of college coursework (Bachelor’s degree strongly recommended)
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive cumulative and prerequisite GPAs (3.6 overall average for those accepted)
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed application with Pharmacy Centralized Application Service (PharmCAS)
• Interview

Required Pre-Pharmacy Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school, so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

*CHEM 115 requires a strong background in high school math and chemistry

Non-Academic Considerations: Applicants are required to obtain experience in the pharmacy profession. Pre-pharmacy students should become knowledgeable about health care settings and should seek out job and volunteer opportunities with pharmacists. These healthcare professionals can provide important recommendations to support your application to pharmacy school. Seek out health related experiences, job shadowing and volunteering opportunities early!

Creating a Pre-Pharmacy Academic Plan:

Because there is no prescribed major or curriculum, it is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-pharm requirements into their overall graduation plan.

Did you know?

Starting in fall of 2023, UW Madison School of Pharmacy is offering a PharmD Early Assurance Program for students who are admitted to or in their first semester at one of the 13 UW System campuses offering a bachelor’s degree. To be eligible you must be a high school senior (or recent high school graduate) admitted to one of the 13 UW System campuses or a first semester college student attending one of the 13 UW System campuses. For more information about this program, contact the PharmD Early Assurance Program directly by e-mailing, pharmd@pharmacy.wisc.edu.

Regional Programs

•  University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI 
  •  Pharm D Early Assurance Program at UW Madison
•  Concordia University, Mequon, WI 
•  University of Minnesota- Twin Cities and Duluth Campus 
•  University of Illinois – Chicago, Chicago, IL 
•  For a list of all schools visit the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) 

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Pre-Professional Health Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and Pharmacy schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

Learn more about UWEC Pre-Pharmacy here!

Pre-Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals who deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services. PAs are licensed to practice under the supervision of a physician (MD or DO) and state law determines the scope of their practice. In general, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, make diagnoses, prescribe medications, administer treatments, assist in surgery, and counsel and educate patients. PAs practice in over 60 specialty areas nationally. PA programs are approximately 27 months long and include classroom instruction and clinical rotations. PAs also complete more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations. Only graduates of accredited PA programs may take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive cumulative and prerequisite GPAs (3.4 -3.8 overall average for those accepted)
• Competitive Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score (required by some programs)
• Direct health care experience and/or shadowing (some programs require >1,000 hours)
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed application with Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) (for most programs)
• Interview

Required Pre-PA courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

*CHEM 115 requires a strong background in high school math and chemistry

Recommended Other Courses

Graduate Record Exam (GRE): This standardized exam is required for admission to some PA schools. The exam consists of 3 sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. It is often taken in the spring semester or summer following the junior year. Go to: www.ets.org/gre for more information on the GRE.

Non-Academic Considerations: Applicants must obtain experience in healthcare. Depending on the school to which you are applying, some programs require 500-3,000+ hours of healthcare experience. Some strictly require a certain number of hours, while other programs only recommend a number. Seek out health-related experiences, job shadowing and volunteering opportunities early! Examples of jobs – CNA, EMT, Phlebotomist.

Creating a Pre-PA Academic Plan:

Because there is no prescribed major or curriculum, it is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-PA requirements into their overall graduation plan.

For more information about planning for PA School, visit the PAEA Apply to PA Guide.

Regional Programs
Some schools in our region with Physician Assistant programs:

• Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN 
• Carroll University, Waukesha, WI  
• Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 
• University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, WI  
• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 
• St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN 
• For a list of all accredited PA schools: Visit the PA Education Association (PAEA) 

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Pre-Professional Health Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and PA Schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

More info about UWEC Pre-Physician Assistant here!

Pre-Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an allied health profession that focuses on the prevention and rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal injuries or problems. The goal of physical therapists is to facilitate the return of patients to pre-injury levels of functioning. Physical therapists are an integral part of any comprehensive health care team. They frequently work with other health care providers, such as physicians, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, nurses, dentists, psychologists, social workers, podiatrists, and speech pathologists and audiologists.  Pre-physical therapy is a program of study, not an academic major.  No specific academic major is required for pre-physical therapy. Most students choose one of the following majors to complete their pre-physical therapy requirements:

• Comprehensive major in Rehabilitation Science or Exercise Science 
• Biology standard major

Most physical therapists work in hospitals, and they also work in private physical therapy offices, rehabilitation centers, community health centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, corporate or industrial health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, schools, pediatric centers, and universities.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with any major from an accredited institution (required by most programs)
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Competitive overall and science GPAs (3.5 overall average for those accepted)
• Competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score (required for some programs)
• Observational or work experience in physical therapy
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed application with Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) (for most programs)
• Interview required by many programs

Required Pre-PT Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ so it is important to check for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

Recommended Courses: The following courses are recommended by some physical therapy programs:

• KINS 304 Biomechanics
• KINS 308 Exercise Physiology
• MATH 111 or 114 Calculus

Non-Academic Considerations: All physical therapy programs require observational or actual work experience in physical therapy prior to admission. Check the admissions requirements for each physical therapy program to determine the minimum number of hours and types of settings for observation.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE): This standardized exam is required for admission to most physical therapy programs. The exam consists of three sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. It is often taken in the spring semester or summer following the junior year. Go to: www.ets.org/gre for more information on the GRE.

Creating a Pre-Physical Therapy Academic Plan:

It is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester to plan their major area of study and their pre-PT curriculum. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-PT requirements into their overall graduation plan.

Regional Programs
Some schools in our region with programs in Physical Therapy

• Mayo Clinic School of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN 
• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 
• University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, WI  
• University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI 
• University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
• Carroll University, Waukesha, WI  
• Concordia University, Mequon, WI 
• Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 
• St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN 
• St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
• Concordia University St. Paul, MN
• For a list of all schools: American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Kins Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and PT schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

More info about UWEC Pre-Physical Therapy here

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary medicine deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all animal species, both domesticated and wild. In the United States, there are 30 accredited schools that award the advanced professional degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD). Although there is not a specific major for pre-veterinary students, most students choose one of the following majors:

Biology standard major with a minor in chemistry OR a minor in pre-professional health science

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Comprehensive Major

Biology comprehensive major in Microbiology

Chemistry Comprehensive Major

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (any major) (not required by some programs)
• Completion of prerequisite courses
• Competitive cumulative and prerequisite GPAs (3.5-3.8 average for those accepted)
• Some programs require a competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score – it is NOT required for UW Madison and U of MN veterinary schools.
• Veterinarian shadowing hours (required by most programs)
• Letters of recommendation (most programs require at least one from a veterinarian)
• Completed application with Veterinary Medicine Centralized Application Service (VMCAS) (for most programs)
• Interview

Required Pre-Veterinary Medicine Courses: (Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ from school to school, so it is important to check with schools for specific requirements.) A printable version of this information is available in Blugold Intranet (UWEC password access required)

*CHEM 115 requires a strong background in high school math and chemistry

Recommended Courses: Many students find the following courses to be helpful in veterinary school courses:

Non-Academic Considerations: Applicants are required to obtain experience in the veterinary medical profession and in the care and handling of animals. This should include experience with both small animals and food-producing animals and is typically done through practicing veterinarians. Seek out animal care related experiences, job shadowing and volunteering opportunities early!

Graduate Record Exam (GRE): This standardized exam is required for admission to some veterinary schools. It is NOT required for application UW Madison or U of MN veterinary schools. The exam consists of 3 sections, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. It is often taken in the spring semester or summer following the junior year. Go to: www.ets.org/gre for more information on the GRE.

Creating a Pre-Veterinary Academic Plan:

Because there is no prescribed major or curriculum, it is important that students work with Health Careers Center Staff and ARCC advisors each semester. Students should meet with the Peer Advisors in the Health Careers Center early in their UWEC career to understand course requirements and prerequisites and to map out a personalized timeline and graduation plan.

Students will consult with their ARCC Advisor on incorporating the pre-vet requirements into their overall graduation plan.

Regional Programs
Some schools in our region with programs in Veterinary Medicine:

• UW Madison School of Veterinary Medicine 
• University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine 
• For a complete list of veterinary programs visit American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Directory 

Additional Resources

Visit the Health Careers Center in Schofield Hall 30

Join the Pre-Vet Club to learn more about healthcare, professional school applications, shadowing opportunities, and veterinary schools.

Enroll in Exploring Health Careers and Preparing for Professional Schools Canvas Course

More info about UWEC Pre-Veterinary Medicine here