Please note: This is NOT the most current catalog.
Pre-Professional Preparation
The following roster of pre-professional studies indicates
how the liberal arts can fulfill the general as well as the specialized
objectives of St. Olaf students.
Recommendations are based on the typical pre-professional
requirements currently existing in universities and professional
schools.
Subjects grouped under the headings "Strongly
Recommended" are required by many institutions while those
under "Recommended" are important but not necessarily
required. Because of their diverse nature, many professions such
as business and management, law and public policy defy course-specific
recommendations for undergraduates. For example, as many psychology
as economics majors in the United States enter business careers
each year through corporate training programs. In those instances,
recommendations should be considered suggestive, not directive.
Opposite examples are nursing and social work (consult the Index),
which have prescribed curriculums required for the state license.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Students are encouraged to work closely with faculty,
pre-professional advisers, department chairs and the Center for
Experiential Learning during and after their time at St. Olaf.
Accounting
Campus contact person: Mary Emery, Economics
Department
Students planning to sit for the CPA examination upon
graduation should major in economics or mathematics and take elective
courses in accounting and finance. Since 2000, new members of the
American Institute of CPAs have been required to earn one year of
college credit beyond the bachelor's degree. Students are strongly
advised to check the regulations for licensure in the state where
they intend to practice.
Strongly recommended: Management Studies 225,
237, 250, 251, 252, 258, 259, 281 and 380; Mathematics 126
Recommended: Management Studies 236; English
251 and 255 and courses in statistics and computer science
Architecture
Campus contact persons: Steve Edwins and Wendell
Arneson, Art and Art History Department
An art major or art emphasis is highly recommended
for students planning on pursuing a career in architecture. Architecture
is an art that requires knowledge of cultural history, social organization,
strong design and technical skill as well as a background in mathematics
and physics.
Strongly recommended: A major in the visual
arts with an emphasis in sculpture, painting, architectural drawing
and digital media (Art 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 228, 235 and 239);
a strong background in art history; and strong background in mathematics
(Calculus I and II or Mathematics Analysis I and II) and Physics
124L and 125L
Recommended: Courses in American and European
history, American and/or urban studies, literature (especially with
advanced writing components), philosophy and courses in social science,
and at least one ORC-designated course
Business and Management
Campus contact person: Mary Emery, Economics Department
Students planning to enter the business world immediately
upon graduation and seek a career in accounting, finance, management,
or marketing should major in economics and consider an area of emphasis
or a management studies concentration.
Strongly recommended: Management Studies 225,
237, 250, 251, 252 and 383; English 251; Psychology 125
Recommended: Management Studies 236 and 281;
English 251 and 255, Mathematics 126; Psychology 250
The best Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
programs do not require a specific undergraduate curriculum. They
seek people with strong skills in analysis, communication and leadership.
Typically, students entering an MBA program will have two or more
years of work experience.
Computer and Information Sciences
Campus contact person: Richard Brown, director
of the computer science concentration
The following are recommendations in addition to courses
normally taken in a computer science concentration.
Recommended for computer science: Computer
Science 398; Computer Science 294 or 394; supporting mathematics
courses, e.g., Mathematics 220; at least one ORC-designated course
Recommended for management information science:
Economics 125, 236; at least one ORC-designated course
Recommended for computer engineering: Electronics, e.g., Physics
246; supporting mathematics, e.g., Mathematics 226
Dentistry
Campus contact persons: Ted Johnson, Biology
Department, Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other members
of the Health Professions Committee
Strongly recommended:
Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123 Interim), 126, 247, 248, 253, 254, 379;
Biology 125, 126, 231, 243;
General Education 111, plus a second
course in English or an ORC-designated course; Nursing
110; Mathematics 120 and126 or 122 and 128; Physics 124 and
125; Psychology 125.
Recommended electives: Art, Biology
231, 233, 243, 382, Nursing 110
Most dental schools (e.g., Minnesota) require that
these courses be graded. Students must also take the Dental Aptitude
Test (DAT).
Engineering
Campus contact person: David Dahl, Physics
Department
Most students choose to complete a B.A. degree at
St. Olaf before beginning work on an M.S.E. degree at the school
of their choice, an option which typically takes five and one-half
to six years. A cooperative program exists that enables a student
to receive a B.A. degree from St. Olaf and a B.S. degree in engineering
from either Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., or the University
of Minnesota, in a five-year program. Consult the Index for further
information.
Strongly recommended for civil, electrical and
mechanical engineering: Major in physics
Strongly recommended for chemical engineering:
Major in chemistry
Journalism
Campus contact person: Jan Allister, English
Department
Strongly recommended: English 255
Recommended: Other writing courses such as
English 251, 257, 373; course work in American and modern world
history, contemporary sociology/anthropology, ethics, economics
and political science; course work in mass media; Art 115 (photography);
Computer Science 172; at least one ORC-designated course
Law
Campus contact person: Charles Umbanhowar,
Sr., Political Science Department
Most accredited law schools have no specific requirements
for the pre-law course, but the Association of American Law Schools
emphasizes the breadth and quality of the undergraduate program.
Students desiring more information should consult with members of
the Pre-law Advisers Committee.
Medicine
Campus contact person: Ted Johnson, Biology
Department, Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other members
of the Health Professions Committee
Refer to the requirements of the specific medical
schools of interest.
Strongly recommended:
Biology 125, 126, 233; Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123), 126, 247, 248,
253, 254, 379; Mathematics 120 or
122; Physics 124 and 125, or 126, 127, 228; Psychology 125
Recommended:
Biology 231, 233, 243; Chemistry
379; Nursing 110; courses in literature, humanities, philosophy
and behavioral sciences
Medical schools require that these courses be graded.
Students must also take the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT).
Performing Arts
Campus contact persons: Chair of the Art Department;
chair of the Theatre Department; chair of the Dance Department;
chair of the Music Department; director of the interdisciplinary
fine arts major
Strongly recommended: A comprehensive major
in art, dance, music or theater. Teaching majors are offered and
the individual department chairs should be consulted for the specific
departmental requirements. The interdisciplinary fine arts major
is an interdisciplinary major with an emphasis in art, dance, music
or theater. The Bachelor of Music degree is a professional degree
for preparation in music performance, theory-composition, church
music or music education. For specific information about requirements
for the Bachelor of Music degree, refer to the Music section of
the catalog course listings.
Recommended: Well-rounded background in the
liberal arts, particularly the humanities.
Pharmacy
Campus contact persons: Ted
Johnson, Biology Department; Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department,
and other members of the Health Professions Committee
Strongly recommended: Biology 125, 126, 231,
243; Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123), 126, 247, 248, 253, 254; Economics
121; English 111, 220; Mathematics 120 or 122; Physics 124 and 125;
at least one ORC-designated course
Recommended: Electives to minimum of 17 courses
Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) required.
Physical Therapy
Campus contact persons: Ted Johnson, Biology
Department
Generally required: Biology 125, 126, 243;
Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123), 126; Mathematics 120 or 122; Physics
124 and 125; social sciences (three courses): Psychology 125, 264,
and one sociology course; Statistics 110 or 212; Graduate Record
Examination (G.R.E.).
Recommended: Biology 231, 233, 247; Chemistry
247, 253; Psychology 241; Physical Education 374, 375; Sociology/Anthropology
248; biomedical ethics
Some physical therapy schools require a cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (C.P.R.) course. Consult early with physical therapy
schools about additional recommended or required courses for their
program.
Public Policy
Campus contact person: Daniel Hofrenning, Political
Science Department
Recommended: Courses in political science and
economics are most directly applicable and are strongly recommended.
However, a broad liberal arts education also provides strong preparation.
Courses in all disciplines can offer unique perspectives on public
policy issues and excellent training for a career in public service.
Students with an interest in an international career
(such as the Foreign Service) should, in addition to courses recommended
above, pursue advanced foreign language studies.
Social Work
Campus contact persons: Naurine Lennox and
Mary Carlsen, social work program
The undergraduate social work major is required for
students who wish to be licensed as social workers by the State
of Minnesota and to be employed as a social worker immediately following
graduation (consult Index for program listing).
Students who plan to attend a graduate school of social
work following graduation are encouraged to consult the Social Work
director for information on appropriate courses and majors. For
admission to graduate professional programs the following are:
Generally required: Statistics 110 or 212
Highly recommended: Social Work 221
Recommended: Humanities (especially ethics,
logic, literature); social sciences (including economics and political
science); human biology; language study (especially Spanish); public
speaking, computer literacy and cultural competence
Teaching (Public Education)
Campus contact person: Mark Schelske, Education
Department
The teacher education program is recommended for students
who seek state licensure for classroom teaching.
Students who satisfactorily complete the professional education
sequence and meet the course requirements of a selected major teaching
area become eligible for a K-6, 5-8, K-12 or 5-12 license (depending
on their choice of teaching area). Consult the Index for information
about education and social studies education.
Recommended: Education 290 is a prerequisite
for all education courses and should be taken the second semester
of the sophomore year or fall of junior year. Students should acquaint
themselves with requirements of the program early in their college
experience by consulting the catalog, the Education Department website
and with education and content area advisers.
Theology and Seminary
Campus contact person: L. DeAne Lagerquist,
Religion Department
The Association of Theological Schools recommends
that college students study the following subjects:
English language and literature; history, including
non-Western cultures as well as European and American; philosophy,
particularly its history and its methods; natural sciences, both
the physical and the life sciences; social sciences, where psychology,
sociology and anthropology are particularly appropriate; the fine
arts and music, especially for their creative and symbolic values;
Biblical and modern languages; religion, both in the Judeo-Christian
and in the Near and Far Eastern traditions.
Students should acquaint themselves with the specific
entrance requirements of the schools to which they might apply.
Students interested in further advice may consult
with the College Pre-Seminary Committee (contacted through the college
pastor) or with the chair of the Religion Department.
Veterinary Medicine
Campus contact person: L. Henry Kermott, Biology
Department
Recommended: Biology 125, 126, 231, 233; Chemistry
125 (or 121, 123), 126, 247, 248, 253, 254, 373, 379; Mathematics
120 or 122; Physics 124 and 125, or 126, 127, and 228; Economics
121; Statistics 110 or 212; at least one ORC-designated course
The Veterinary Aptitude Test and Graduate Record Exam
may be required. Requirements vary with the school; experience with
animals necessary. Please contact campus adviser for pre-veterinary
medicine for more complete details.
Note: all or most of these courses may be required,
depending on the school.
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