Pre-Professional Studies
A broadly based liberal education has always been accepted as the ideal preparation for graduate study. Pre-professional programs suggested by an increasing number of professional schools include from two to four years of study in the liberal arts field. Washburn University emphasizes in its group requirements the type of cultural foundation that professional and advanced technical schools prefer. Furthermore, Washburn’s wide range of elective courses affords specific introductions to a variety of professional and occupational fields. The following suggestions, while not intended to be exhaustive, are indicative of the University’s offering of pre-professional preparations.
- Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science
- Pre-Dentistry
- Engineering Transfer Program
- Pre-Law
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Nursing
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Theology
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science
www.washburn.edu/cls
School of Applied Studies, Allied Health Department
Kathy Hupp, BA, Director of CLS Student Affairs
kathy.hupp@washburn.edu
Washburn University, in partnership with University of Nebraska Medical Center, offers a baccalaureate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS). Students complete the 3 year pre-CLS curriculum prior to admission to the program. Graduates of the CLS program are eligible to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) national certification examination as Clinical/Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Students interested in the Bachelor of Health Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science should contact the Director of CLS Student Affairs for advising.
Pre-Dentistry
Biology Advisors
Associate Professor John Mullican
Assistant Professor Paul Wagner
Assistant Professor Tracy Wagner
Chemistry Advisors
Associate Professor Sam Leung
Students preparing to enter dental school should consult an advisor during their first year in college. Additionally, students should consult the catalog of the school they plan to enter. Information on each dental school may be found at http://www.adea.org. In general, the program for the pre-dental student is similar to that for pre-medical students.
Engineering Transfer Program
Keith Mazachek, Lecturer and Coordinator
Stoffer Science Hall, Room 210
(785) 670-2263
The student desiring to pursue a degree in engineering can complete most of the course of study common to the first and second years at the majority of recognized schools of engineering. Particular attention is directed to course work in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and writing and speaking skills. Washburn has a 3-2 program in cooperation with the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. This allows the student to earn two B.S. degrees: the first at Washburn and the second, a B.S. in Engineering, from either of the other universities.
For details about this program, see Engineering in the index. A suggested schedule for the engineering transfer program and the content of engineering courses may be found under the engineering section of the College of Arts and Sciences catalog.
Pre-Law
Professor Steve Cann, Advisor & Coordinator
steve.cann@washburn.edu
The student preparing to enter Washburn School of Law or any quality school of law should seek a broad undergraduate education which should include courses in English, economics, history, political science, philosophy, and sociology. Basic courses in economics and accounting are desirable. Courses which develop the ability to write and speak clearly and correctly, as well as those courses which will help to attain exactness of thought and the ability to make valid analytical comparisons and differentiations, are desirable. Familiarity with American and English history and the government of those countries is necessary in a proper background for the study of law. The student interested in pre-legal education should seek the advice of a pre-law advisor early in his/her college career. Pre-law advisors may be found in a number of departments including Political Science, History, Criminal Justice, Philosophy, Psychology, English, Communication, Mass Media, and the School of Business. You should begin preparing for the LSAT at the start of your college career. For pre-law related activities, pick up a pre-law brochure in the Admissions office.
Pre-Medicine
Biology Advisors
Associate Professor John Mullican
Assistant Professor Susan Bjerke
Assistant Professor Paul Wagner
Assistant Professor Tracy Wagner
Chemistry Advisor
Associate Professor Sam Leung
Students preparing to enter medical school should consult an advisor during their first year in college. Most medical schools prefer a four-year degree preparation with strong foundations in chemistry, biology, physics, and English. Additionally, pre-medical students should acquire significant experience in a health care environment involving direct patient contact, and become active in service activities. The Medical College Admission Test is required for students applying to either an allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) medical school and is typically taken shortly after the junior year in college. The pre-medical student is urged to consult a chosen medical school before the junior year in college. The exact course of study applicable to any student’s background can only be established in consultation with a pre-medicine advisor.
Pre-Nursing
Ms. Mary Allen, R.N., Director of Student Support Services
Ms. Louisa Schurig, Advisor
Washburn University offers the four-year baccalaureate program in Nursing and pre-nursing course requirements for students preparing to enter the Nursing Major. The Bachelor of Science degree prepares the graduate to write the national licensure exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.
Pre-nursing students interested in the Washburn Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing should schedule academic advisement in the School of Nursing (Petro Allied Health Center, Rm 203).
Pre-Pharmacy
Associate Professor Shaun Schmidt, Advisor
Assistant Professor Matt Arterburn
Most students in the pre-pharmacy program transfer to the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas, which requires about 68 hours (approximately two years) of college level pre-professional studies prior to admission to the professional program. The exact course of study applicable to any student’s background can only be established in consultation with the pre-pharmacy advisor.
Pre-Theology
Professor Barry Crawford, Advisor
Garvey Fine Arts Center, Room 233
(785) 670-1542
The Philosophy Department recommends that pre-theology students complete a broad course of study, including work in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and in Creative and Performing Arts. The Philosophy Department offers courses in Religion and is happy to assist students in planning pre-seminary majors in either Religious Studies or Philosophy.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Professor Lee Boyd, Advisor
Most state schools of veterinary medicine have preferred admission of residents of that state, and certain numbers of applicants from cooperating states lacking veterinary schools. Private schools accept applications from all qualified students. Kansas residents would ordinarily apply to the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine. All of the required Pre-Veterinary courses can be taken at Washburn. Practical experience with animals, especially in a veterinary context, is important in making successful application. Program details are available from the pre-veterinary advisor.
