The college is proud of its record, stretching well over a century, of "education put to work." A large percentage of St. Olaf graduates continue their education in America's best graduate and professional schools. (The college ranks in the top five percent among private liberal arts colleges whose graduates go on to earn Ph.D.s in all fields, and the national report, Baccalaureate Sources of Ph.D.s in the United States, ranks St. Olaf sixth in the nation in chemistry and fourteenth in life sciences as an undergraduate source of students from liberal arts institutions who subsequently earned doctorates between 1920 and 1990.) Many St. Olaf graduates enter university programs in medicine, law, the fine arts, business and management, and government and public policy, as well as research programs in technologies not dreamed of a decade ago. Other graduates embrace the life and mission of the Church, teaching, and careers in international service, outreach, and travel.
The college counsels patience, search, and reflection in the preparation for future work. Some of the most successful academic programs and majors preparatory for careers are not decided until the end of the sophomore year, and college majors which seem unrelated to specific careers often prove extremely viable. It is noteworthy that many of the country's top business leaders were philosophy or history majors. Today it is not uncommon to see chemistry majors enter law school, and English majors (with requisite health science electives) admitted to medical school.
A number of factors contribute to the success of St. Olaf graduates, including a education that recognizes that as knowledge becomes increasingly less compartmentalized it will be those who have learned how to learn who will have the advantage.
Through their regular coursework, innovative options like the Applied Foreign Language Component, and the hands-on experience provided by independent study and research options, internships, and programs like the Finstad Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, students explore the interconnectedness of the world today -- and prepare for life in the ever-changing world of tomorrow.
Guiding students in their explorations are the informed and caring men and women of the St. Olaf faculty and staff, who provide continuing support to students in a regular and resourceful program of search and guidance. A number of pre-professional studies programs also help them shape their studies to fit the requirements of America's top professional and graduate schools.
Great Conversation brochures and application forms are sent to students after they are admitted to St. Olaf. Selection is based on an essay describing the reasons for the student's interest in the program; it is not an honors program.
Under this program, students who have successfully completed the fourth or fifth college semester of a foreign language may continue to develop their proficiency in specially designed courses that span the college curriculum. These may include courses in history, economics, and religion, among others.
In most cases, students will opt for the AFLC track within a specifically designated English language course, which allows them to read, in the foreign language, selected texts pertinent to the subject matter of that course. Students meet one additional hour per week to discuss the texts with both the course instructor and a foreign language instructor.
In other cases, students may enroll in total immersion courses in which all of the course work is carried out in a foreign language. Opportunities also exist for students to undertake independent study or directed small group study with an applied foreign language component.
Students who successfully complete the foreign language portion of a pre-designated AFLC course will receive an additional .25 credit. Successful completion of two courses with an AFLC in the same foreign language entitles students to a Certification of Applied Foreign Language Competence on their St. Olaf transcript.
It accomplishes this, in part, through the academic program of the college, where it offers a course in the Economics Department on entrepreneurship, acts as a resource for the senior research project required of all students majoring in economics, and oversees internships and independent study in related areas each Interim.
It also awards grants each summer to students who have formulated entrepreneurial initiatives which will provide significant learning experiences. In recent years, the summer awards have helped students establish a specialty photographic business, the development and marketing of an environmental product on the campus, and the publishing and marketing of "high end" comic books through an exclusive agreement with the European publishers.
For more information, write to the Finstad Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave., Northfield, MN 55057-1098 or write via the Internet to: ashmanj@stolaf.edu. Fax: (507) 646-3523.
Independent Study may be done at any time of the year. Only after the application form is completed can the student register for the course as (appropriate department) 298. Two prerequisite courses should be taken in the department approving the independent study.
Independent Research is a Level III course which provides opportunity for students to do advanced independent work after having completed at least five courses in the particular field. Independent Research can be done at any time of the year , on or off campus.
Application forms are available from departments and at the Registrar's office. The form must be signed by the faculty supervisor, the supervisor's department chair, and the Registrar, in that order. The form must be completed and submitted prior to the student's registration for the course, which is (appropriate department) 398.
For more details about Independent Study and Independent Research, consult The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook.
The internship is intended to integrate on-site learning and work with the theory of a related discipline. This contrasts with independent study/research which focuses on "academic study" of a subject rather than direct experience in a field.
To insure that the internship is credit-worthy, students are encouraged to work out an educational project plan well in advance of the actual internship and to give careful thought to early selection of the on-site field supervisor and faculty supervisor. The student must make systematic and regular reports to both the field and the faculty supervisors.
Application forms are available from departments and the Director of Internships. The completed form must be submitted to the Director of Internships' office before the first day of classes. If approval is granted, the student then registers for (appropriate department) 294 or 394. Only after the form is completed and then transmitted to the Registrar can the student register for a course. Forms for summer internships must be submitted and approved before a student leaves campus.
For more details, consult The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook.
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 government-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.
Students are encouraged to work closely with faculty, pre-professional advisers, department chairs, and the Career Development Center during and after their time at St. Olaf.
Campus adviser: Mary Emery, Economics Department
Students planning to sit for the CPA examination upon graduation should major in economics and fulfill the requirements for an area of emphasis in accounting. Beginning in the year 2000, new members of the American Institute of CPAs must earn one year of college credit beyond the bachelor's degree. Many states currently require five years of college education for certification. Students are strongly advised to check the regulations for licensure in the state where they intend to practice.
Strongly recommended: Economics 225, 237, 252, 258, 259, and 377; Computer Science 172
Recommended: Philosophy 232 or 373, English 251, and courses in mathematics and statistics.
Campus adviser: Steve Edwins and Wendell Arneson, Art Department
Strongly recommended: A major in the visual arts, basic mathematics, physics and chemistry, public speaking
Recommended: Courses in history, philosophy, and humanities
Campus adviser: Kathy Chadwick, 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.
Strongly recommended: Economics 225, 237,
250, 251, 252,
281; English 251, Computer Science 172; Math 126; Political Science 251; Philosophy 119,
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. Most MBA
programs will accept the best St. Olaf students without work experience if
they are well prepared.
Strongly recommended: Economics 121, 225;
Philosophy 119, 232
Recommended: An undergraduate program which develops analytical,
communication, and leadership skills.
Campus adviser: Steven McKelvey, Coordinator 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, e.g.,
Mathematics 214, 220 (or 222); speech communication courses. The
software option for the Computer Science Concentration is recommended.
Recommended for Management Information Science: Economics 125, 236;
Speech-Theater 120.
Recommended for Computer Engineering: Electronics, e.g., Physics 246; supporting mathematics, e.g.,
Mathematics 226 (or 228)
Campus advisers: Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other
members of the Pre-Health Sciences Committee
Strongly recommended: Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123
Interim), 126, 247, , 248 253, 254; Biology 125, 126, 231, 243;
English 111, plus a second course in
English or Speech; Family Resources 255; Mathematics 120, 126 or 122, 128; Physics 124L and 125L;
Psychology 121; Dental Aptitude Test
(DAT)
Most dental schools (e.g., Minnesota) require that these courses be
graded.
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 years. A cooperative
program exists which enables a student to receive a B.A. degree from St.
Olaf and a B.S. degree in Engineering from Washington University in St.
Louis, Mo., in a five-year program. Consult the Index for further
information.
Strongly recommended for Mechanical Engineering: Major in Physics
Strongly recommended for Electrical Engineering: Major in Physics
including 232L, 246L.
Strongly recommended for Chemical Engineering: Major in Chemistry
Campus adviser: Jo Beld, Political Science Department
Recommended: Courses in political science and economics are most
directly applicable and are strongly recommended. However, a broad liberal
arts education can also provide strong preparation. Courses in all
disciplines can provide a unique perspective on public policy issues and
excellent training for a career in public service.
Students with an interest in the Foreign Service or an international
career should, in addition to courses recommended above, pursue foreign
language studies.
Campus adviser: David Emery, Economics Department
Graduate programs in health care management -- Masters of Health
Administration (MHA), Masters of Health Management (MHM) -- do not require
specific undergraduate curriculum, but typically require a student to
demonstrate an affinity to the field, e.g. a major in Economics and/or a
natural science and work experience with a health care provider.
Strongly recommended: Biology 123;
Economics 121, 225, 245;
Philosophy 250 (Interim);
Sociology/Anthropology 267.
Recommended: Chemistry 122;
Mathematics 112; Psychology 121.
Campus adviser: Jan Allister, English Department
Strongly recommended: English 255
Recommended: Other writing courses such as English 251, 257, 373; course work in modern American and world
history, contemporary sociology/anthropology, ethics, economics, and
political science; course work in mass media and communications; Art 115 (photography); Computer Science 172
Campus adviser: 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.
Campus advisers: Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other
members of the Pre-Health Sciences 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;
Mathematics 120, 126, (or 122, 128); Physics 124 and 125L
, or 126L, 127L, 128L;
Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT)
Recommended: Biology 231, 241, 243; Chemistry 255, 256, 373, 379; Family Resources 255; courses in
literature, humanities, philosophy, social studies, speech.
Medical schools require that these courses be graded.
Campus advisers: Chair of Art Department; Chair of Speech-Theater
Department; Chair of Dance Department; Chair of Music Department; Coordinator
of Fine Arts Major.
Strongly recommended: A comprehensive major in art, dance, music, or
speech-theater (with a theater emphasis). Teaching majors are offered and the
individual department chairs should be consulted for the specific departmental
requirements. The 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, and music education. For specific information about requirements
for the Bachelor of Music degree, refer to the Music section of the catalog
course listings.
Recommended: Courses in the humanities, social studies, literature, and
speech
Campus Advisers: Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other members
of the Pre-Health Sciences Committee
Strongly recommended: Biology 125, 126, 231, 243; Chemistry 125 (or 121,
123, 126, 247, 248, 253, 254; Economics 121; English 111, 220 (or Speech 114);
Mathematics 120 or 122; Physics 124L and 125L.
Recommended: Physical Education 250; electives to minimum of 17 courses;
Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) required
Campus adviser: Ted Johnson and Henry Kermott, Biology Department
Generally required: Biology 125, 126, 243; Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123),
126, Mathematics 120, 126 (or 122, 128); physics (two courses): Physics 124L
and 125L; social sciences (three courses): Psychology 121, 264, and one
Sociology course; Statistics 110 or 112; Graduate Record Exam (G.R.E.)
Recommended: Biology 231, 233, 247; Chemistry 247, 253; Psychology 241;
Physical Education 274, 275, 375; Sociology/Anthropology 248; speech and
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.
Campus advisers: Naurine Lennox and Mary Carlsen, Social Work
Department
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 department
listing).
Students who plan to attend a graduate school of social work following
graduation are encouraged to consult the Social Work Chair for information on
appropriate courses and majors. For admission to graduate professional programs
the following are:
Generally required: Statistics 110 or Mathematics 112
Highly recommended: Social Work 221
Recommended: humanities (especially ethics, logic, literature);
behavioral sciences (including economics and political science); human biology;
language study (especially Spanish); public speaking and computer literacy.
Campus adviser: Debra J. Anderson, Education Department
The Teacher Education Program is recommended for students who seek state
licensure for classroom teaching (consult Index for information about Education
and Social Studies Education).
Students who satisfactorily complete the professional education sequence and
meet the course requirements of a selected major teaching area become eligible
for a secondary
(7-12)license to teach biology, chemistry, English, French,
German, Latin, mathematics, physics, social studies, Spanish, or speech; or a
K-12 license to teach art, music, or physical education. Teaching English as a
Second Language (ESL) licensure is also available.
Recommended: Education 290 is a prerequisite for all Education courses
and should be taken the second semester, sophomore year. Students should
acquaint themselves with requirements of the program early in their college
experience by reading the catalog and consulting with Education and academic
advisers.
Campus adviser: Chair of the 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.
Campus adviser: L. Henry Kermott, Biology Department
Recommended: Biology 125,
126, 231,
233; Chemistry 125
(or 121, 123),
126, 247,
248, 253,
254, 379;
Mathematics 120 or
122; Physics
124L and 125L, or
126, 127L, and
128L; Economics 121; Speech 120 or 240; Statistics 110 or Math
112.
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.
Computer and Information Sciences
Dentistry
Engineering
Campus adviser: Roger Proksch, Physics Department
Government and Public Policy
Health Care Management
Journalism
Law
Medicine
Performing Arts
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Social Work
Teaching (Public Education)
Theology
Veterinary Medicine