Pre-Professional Studies

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Pre-Health Professions

Chiropractic, Dental, Medical, Masters in Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Veterinary Medicine

Randy Krainock, DVM, Ph.D., Advisor

Health profession programs typically asses five areas of a student’s undergraduate resume in selecting candidates for admission:  successful completion of pre-requisite courses; grade-point average (GPA); score on entrance examinations; experience in the profession; and evidence of effective communication abilities, interpersonal skills, and breadth of interest and knowledge.  An array of Saint Mary’s University majors or major / minor combinations may be selected to fulfill professional school pre-requisite course requirements.  Majors in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics typically include these courses or the curriculum may be enhanced to include the necessary classes.  Students should work closely with a science faculty advisor to monitor the specific requirements of their chosen professional program to ensure that they are prepared to apply for admission.  Advisors and students collaborate, in part, to plan course sequences with the goals of graduation and preparation to successfully complete the specific entrance examinations (MCAT, GRE, etc.).  Professional school admission boards place considerable value on students’ experience within the profession and on exposure to research.  Science faculty advisors encourage and facilitate, as possible, students “shadowing” practitioners in the field.  Student summer employment, internships, and experiences in the area of interest are strongly promoted.  Student undergraduate research is a requirement for the biology, chemistry, and physics majors.  The departments also strongly encourage student participation in summer research internships / fellowships competitively available across the nation.  Clinical observation, research exposure, and professional certificate training (CNA, EMT, etc.) are viewed favorably by program admission boards as evidence of a student’s commitment and motivation to become a health professional.  The general education requirements at Saint Mary’s University emphasize the development of verbal and written communication and provide exposure to the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts; these are valuable assets in gaining admission to professional programs.  Students are encouraged to participate in any of a wide variety of extra-curricular (campus organizations, athletics) and volunteer activities on or off campus.  Letters of recommendation highlighting the student’s interest, abilities, and accomplishments outside of the sciences are extremely helpful to professional admission boards in understanding the personal qualities of the student applicant.  Students interested in a pre-health degree path should contact their academic advisor for full details.

Pre-Law

Lawrence Price, J.D., J.C.L., Advisor

The successful study and practice of law requires both language mastery and the ability to understand abstract concepts. There is no pre-law major per se, but students interested in studying law are encouraged to take those courses which promote complex analysis and clarity of communication. Traditional pre-law courses are usually language intensive, such as courses in English, philosophy or history. Political science and business administration courses are also helpful because these subjects often provide the context for many legal issues. Furthermore, courses which stress technical mastery such as math and science courses can also be beneficial. In general, students should take courses which require extensive written work and promote the development of clear analysis. Admission to law school requires early application and the taking of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) by February of the student’s senior year at the latest. For students with a serious interest in the study of law, there is the possibility of an independent study course or an internship. Please contact the pre-law advisor if there are other questions.

Pre-Theology

Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
Msgr. Thomas P. Melvin, Rector, Advisor

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary is owned and operated by the Diocese of Winona as a college-level priestly formation program adjacent to the campus of Saint Mary’s University. The seminary program embraces the graduation requirements of Saint Mary’s University, as well as the academic directives of the Program of Priestly Formation. Philosophy remains the most highly recommended area of concentration for a student preparing for theology school. If, however, he chooses some other appropriate major, he is still required to complete philosophical studies equivalent to 30 semester hours of course work; please see the IHM philosophy major listing in the philosophy department. These philosophy courses meet the requirements of the Bishop’s Committee on Priestly Formation. The philosophy department established this course sequence in consultation with the seminary.

The seminary also requires the following theology courses: 
TH115                    Mystery of Salvation
TH210                    Introduction to Old Testament 
TH220                    Introduction to New Testament One elective theology course

Two semesters of elementary Latin are required of all seminarians who have not had at least two years of high school Latin or who still demonstrate a deficiency in the level of Latin expected by theology schools. Seminarians who plan to enter master’s programs at the theology level should plan on taking Greek and Hebrew if their schedules allow for it and if the courses are offered.

Most seminarians spend four years at Saint Mary’s University completing their baccalaureate degree. However, a number of seminarians who already possess a baccalaureate degree come to Immaculate Heart of Mary. These men generally are in residence for two years, during which time they complete their philosophy and theology requirements.

Programs

• Pre-Medical School Preparation
• Pre-Theology Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary

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