Overview & Academics

North Carolina Wesleyan University offers a variety of majors that prepare students for admission to professional programs such as medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, and podiatry. There is no specific major that is required for admission to any professional school in the health professions. All professional schools have specific courses that they require for admission, and a student may major in many different disciplines as long as they take the courses that are required for admission to the professional school in specific field of interest. Although many students choose to major in biology, biomedical science, chemistry, or exercise science, there are successful applicants to professional schools from all majors.

In addition to specific coursework, most professional schools require experiences outside of the classroom for admission to their programs. Students at North Carolina Wesleyan University have the opportunity to pursue research with professors, including presentation of work at professional conferences and publication of the work. Students are also encouraged to participate in co-curricular and volunteer opportunities such as the Student Science Symposium held each spring semester and organizations such as the Exercise Science Club to further professional socialization efforts in a chosen health field. A student who is interested in pursuing admission to a professional school in the health professions should also seek out other appropriate volunteer and/or internship experiences prior to applying for admission to a professional school.

Pre-Health Course Requirements and Prerequisites for Professional Schools

All students interested in attending a professional school in the health professions should be sure to consult closely with their advisor and the Pre-Health Professions Advisor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework. An additional source of information on required and recommended coursework is available through professional organizations in the specific health profession.

NCWU Courses that Satisfy Medical and/or Dental School Requirements

Additional information on preparation for health-related careers and recommended courses can be found by consulting the following external resources:

Chiropractic School Applicants
Association of Chiropractic Colleges (U.S. & Canada)

Dental School Applicants
ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools

Medical School Applicants
American Association of Medical Colleges

Osteopathic Medical School Applicants
American Association of Osteopathic Medicine

Occupational Therapy School Applicants
The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Optometry School Applicants
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

Pharmacy School Applicants
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Physical Therapy Applicants
American Physical Therapy Association

Physician Assistant School Applicants
American Academy of Physician Assistants

Podiatry School Applicants
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

Veterinary Medical School Applicants
Association of American Veterinary Colleges