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.
Many other occupations beyond those in this roster
may be pursued with a liberal arts background, of course. To learn
more about them, call or visit the campus contact persons listed
in areas that seem similar.
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 licensure examinations.
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 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, 383; English 251; Psychology 125
Recommended: Management
Studies 236 and 281; English 251, 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 Engineering, Software Engineering
Campus contact
person: Richard Brown,
director of the computer science program
Computer science remains at the heart of preparation
for careers or graduate study in computer engineering (which focuses
on hardware design) and software engineering, since computer science
provides a conceptual foundation for computing disciplines. The
emphasis on “hands-on” learning techniques, professionalism
and computing ethics and on the development of communication and leadership
skills in St. Olaf’s computer science major program give a further preparatory
boost to future engineers. The following courses are particularly recommended.
Recommended for computer engineering: Computer Science
125 or 251/252; Computer Science 231, 241, 253, 263, 273; Physics
246; statistics (e.g., Statistics 212). Also consider Computer
Science 284.
Recommended for software engineering: Computer Science
125 or 251/252; Computer Science 231, 241, 253, 263, 273, 284,
359; statistics (e.g., Statistics 212). Also consider Computer
Science 276.
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; General
Education 111, plus a second course in English or an ORC-designated
course; Mathematics 120 and 126 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 PHYSICS listing in the catalog for further information.
Strongly
recommended for civil, electrical and mechanical engineering: Major in physics
Strongly recommended for chemical
engineering: Major in chemistry
Information Technology and Information Systems
Campus contact
person: Richard Brown,
director of the computer science program
St. Olaf’s computer science major provides
a deep foundation for applied computing fields since the concepts
of computer science provide insights into all forms of computing
and because St. Olaf’s program emphasizes “hands-on” experience
to build up valuable technical skills and strong liberal arts interpersonal
skills. The following courses are particularly recommended.
Recommended for
information technology: Computer Science 125 or 251/252; Computer
Science 263, 273, 276, 284, 350; economics and management studies
courses related to business and accounting; internships in industry and/or
on campus with the Office of Informational and Instructional Technologies
(IIT).
Recommended for information
systems: Computer Science
263, 284, 350; economics and management studies courses related
to business and accounting
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: Eileen Shimota, Center for Experiential Learning
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; 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).
Occupational Therapy
Campus contact persons: Ted Johnson,
Biology Department
Generally required: Biology 125, 243; Psychology
125, 241 and 264; Statistics 110 or 212; a studio art course;
Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.)
Recommended: Biology course
with physiology or anatomy component, or Physical Education 374
or 375
Consult early with occupational therapy schools about
additional recommended or required courses for their programs.
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
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 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: Wesley Pearson, Chemistry
Department, and other members of the Health Professions Committee
Strongly recommended: Biology 125, 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 or Theatre 100; two psychology courses
Recommended: Electives to minimum of 17 courses
Pharmacy
College Admission Test (PCAT) required.
Physical Therapy
Campus contact person: Ted Johnson, Biology Department
Generally required: Biology 125, 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: Rebecca Judge, Economics
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: Mary Carlsen and Naurine
Lennox, 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; Biology 123
Highly recommended: Social Work 221; Social Work 258
Recommended: Humanities (especially ethics, logic,
literature); social sciences (including economics and political
science); human biology Cross-Cultural; 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 Graduate Record
Exam is 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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