About Pre-Professional Programs
What are F&M's "pre-professional" programs?
The Office of Student Academic Affairs also serves as a home for three specialty areas of advising: a) health professions advising, b) pre-law advising, and c) teacher education. Applicants to these professions are assisted in their academic planning, application, interview, and selection processes.
Health Professions Advising
The College has a proud heritage of graduates going on for graduate study in such fields as allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, and physician assistant programs, among others. Professor Ken Hess coordinates health professions advising at the College. For more information, visit the Health Professions Advisory Program webpage.
Who are health professions students?
Health professions students have an interest in a career in the health professions. There is no pre-medicine major at F&M. Students interested in applying to graduate study in such fields as allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, and physician assistant programs, among others are part of the program. Professor Hess coordinates the program. For more information on Health Professions Advising at F&M, visit the Health Professions Advisory Program webpage.
What are the health professions requirements?
All medical schools (including dental, veterinary, optometry) require students to take one year of these college level courses: (1) biology, (2) general chemistry, (3) organic chemistry, (4) physics, (5) calculus, and (6) writing and literature-intensive courses. These courses are completed along with your F&M graduation requirements. Pre-healing arts requirements are not graduation requirements.
What courses do I take my first semester?
Depending upon your level of preparation in math and science as well as the likelihood of your choosing a science major, students typically take General Chemistry and/or Calculus during the first semester. Your other courses should include a Foundations course and either a writing intensive course, a foreign language, and/or an elective. An academic adviser will assist you in deciding the option that best meets your needs.
Some students decide to not enroll in a math or science course during the first semester. This is a decision that should be made in consultation with your academic adviser.
Pre-Law Advising
Franklin & Marshall also enjoys a strong reputation among the nations top law schools for graduating students who are exceptionally well prepared for the study of law. In turn, many students are attracted to F&M for the strengths and quality of the liberal arts education it offers students interested in pursing careers in law. Dean Steven O’Day serves as the pre-law adviser and assists students throughout their decision-making and application process. The Pre-Law webpage provides an array of information about opportunities for pre-law students.
What courses should I think about if I am thinking about law school?
Unlike the health professions schools, law schools do not prescribe a set of courses required for admission. If you are preparing for admission to law school, you should seek a broad undergraduate experience. A major field of concentration should be chosen according to your personal interest. In the opinion of most law school deans, the ability to write clearly and concisely is one of the most important criteria for admission to law school. At F&M, you will have many opportunities to develop these and other skills that will help you evolve into a competitive law school applicant.
More information about pre-law at F&M can be found at the Pre-Law webpage.
Teacher Education Advising
Students pursuing teacher education are encouraged to participate in the Urban Education Semester (UES), an off-campus semester program offered through Bank Street College of Education in New York City. It is an interdisciplinary, academic immersion program which introduces students from all academic backgrounds to the complexity of issues facing urban public education. Students typically apply their academic major and education-related courses in different disciplines at F&M to post-graduate options, whether it be a teaching certificate program, a master's program, or private school teaching. F&M also offers students the opportunity to secure Pennsylvania Instructional Teacher Certification in areas of secondary education through a cooperative program with nearby Millersville University.
What courses should I think about if I am interested in teaching?
Selecting a major plays a significant role in what you will be qualified to teach following F&M. Students interested in teaching should consider enrolling in such courses as Sociology of Education, Urban Education, and courses in the Public Policy minor. More information can be found on the Teacher Education Website.
What about other career avenues?
F&M's Career Advisement Services office provides a plethora of career advice, ranging from resume help, to mock interviews. F&M also participates in the Selective Liberal Arts Consortium, and has a state-of-the-art internship and job posting system available exclusively for F&M students. The alumni database is also a great networking tool for students looking to enter the workforce and for alumni interested in making a career or geographic change. In short, the Career Advisement Office provides a wide array of services to our students, alumni, and the entire college community. For more information, visit the Career Advisement Services website.
Looking for more information?
Visit the College Catalog.
