HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental,
Pre-Optometry, Pre-Medical Technology, Pre-Physical Therapy,
Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Podiatry,
Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Dental Hygiene, Pre-Occupational Therapy

General: Each of the above areas involves the completion of a minimum number of semester hours and certain required courses. Many of the specific course requirements are common to all programs, and it is most desirable that the student complete these requirements as early as possible. Careful planning of a schedule is essential to insure that the courses are taken in proper sequence, since several of the required courses have other courses as prerequisites.

The members of the Health Professions Advisory Committee are appointed by the Dean each fall. Normally the committee includes the Director of the Fulbright Advising Center and faculty representation from the Departments of Anthropology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Psychology.

Pre-Medical Program: Medical schools in general require a minimum of 90 semester hours of college credit exclusive of military science and physical education, and most recommend that the student complete a program leading to a baccalaureate degree. Medical educators also emphasize that the physician should have a liberal education, and stress the value of training in the humanities and social sciences as well as in the natural sciences. All medical schools have specific course requirements and the student should determine those requirements for the school or schools of his or her choice. The minimum requirements for most medical schools can be met by completion of the following courses: ENGL 1013, 1023; BIOL 1543/1541L, plus one other course in biological sciences, or equivalent; CHEM 1103/1101L, 1123/1121L, 3603/ 3601L, 3613/3611L; PHYS 2013/ 2011L, 2033/2031L. However, additional courses are recommended. Special opportunities and experiences are available to pre-medical students through the Liebolt Endowment.

Most pre-medical students would be well advised to complete the requirements for the B.A. or B.S. degree. As part of these requirements the student must choose a major, but the choice of a major has no direct bearing upon his or her admission to medical school. The choice of a major should reflect the particular interests of the student. If a student is admitted to a medical school prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree requirements, he/she may wish to take advantage of the combined degree program in medical science (see page 106). If that program is elected the student should be sure to complete all of the basic university and college requirements for graduation during residence on this campus.

Most medical schools require the Medical College Admissions Test, which is given in the spring and fall at the University. The MCAT normally should be taken in the spring preceding application to medical school. Admission to medical school is highly competitive and a good grade-point average is demanded. A grade-point average of 3.30 is the minimum likely to receive favorable consideration. A grade of "D" in any course required by the medical school is not considered satisfactory. Advising is available through Dr. Tim Kral, Department of Biological Sciences (575-3251). Dr. Kral serves as chair of the pre-medical committee.

Pre-Dental Program: All dental schools require a minimum of three years of college work and most schools give preference to applicants who have completed a degree. The minimum requirements for admission to most dental schools are: one year of English, one year of biology, one year of physics, one year of inorganic chemistry, and one year of organic chemistry. Mathematics is not a general requirement, but students are expected to have a background equivalent to college algebra and trigonometry. The minimum requirements can be met at the University of Arkansas by completing the following courses:

ENGL 1013, 1023; BIOL 1543/1541L plus 4 hours; PHYS 2013/2011L, 2033/2031L; and CHEM 1103/1101L, 1123/1121L, 3603/3601L, 3613/3611L.

Students who complete a minimum of 90 hours of work may qualify for the combined degree program (see page 106) provided that they complete the requirements for graduation in Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

All dental schools require the Dental Admissions Test. It is suggested that applicants take the DAT one year prior to the time they plan to enter dental school. A student planning a career in dentistry should contact Dr. J.C. Rose, Department of Anthropology (575-2508).

Pre-Optometry Program: Admission requirements to schools and colleges of optometry are not uniform. Typically they include courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology or zoology. Some colleges and schools have specific requirements in psychology, social sciences, literature, philosophy, and foreign languages. Students in this program should determine the specific requirements of the school or college they wish to attend at an early date and plan their study programs accordingly. Details concerning the program are available from Dr. Tim Kral, Department of Biological Sciences (575-3251).

Pre-Medical Technology: Students entering this program should determine the specific admission requirements for the school of their choice at an early date. Usually at least 69 hours of college credit are required for degree programs. The admission requirements for Medical Technology at the University of Arkansas College of Health Related Professions are given in the following paragraph as representing a typical program.

Applicants for admission must present a minimum of 69 semester hours. These must include 6 hours of English, 8 hours of general chemistry, 16 hours of biology (4 hours of general biology or zoology, 4 hours of microbiology, 4 hours of human anatomy, and 4 hours of human physiology), 3 hours of communication (speech), 3 hours of fine arts, 6 hours of western civilization, 3 hours of college algebra, 3 hours of U.S. history, 6 hours of other social sciences (two different fields), 3 hours of humanities, and 12 hours of electives.

All students planning careers in medical technology should contact the Fulbright College Advising Center, room 101 of Old Main (575-3307).

Pre-Physical Therapy: Students planning to attend a school of physical therapy should ascertain the specific admission requirements from at least two schools of their choice at an early date. We strongly recommend that students obtain a bachelor's degree since most physical therapy schools offer a master's degree in physical therapy.

The admission requirements for physical therapy at the University of Central Arkansas for students who hold a bachelor's degree are 4 hours of general biology, 4 hours of human anatomy, 4 hours of human physiology, 4 hours of microbiology, 3 hours of introductory neuroscience, 8 hours of chemistry, 8 hours of physics, 2-3 hours of computer literacy, 6 hours of psychology, and 3 hours of statistics. The introductory neuroscience course is not offered at the UA-Fayetteville campus.

Any student planning a career in physical therapy should contact the Fulbright College Advising Center in room 101 of Old Main (575-3307), or Joel Freund in the Department of Psychology (575-4256).

Pre-Chiropractic: Students entering the pre-chiropractic program should determine the specific admission requirements for the school of their choice at an early date. Both Life College and Palmer College require a minimum of 60 hours of college credit to include the following: 6 hours of English; 8 hours of inorganic chemistry; 8 hours of organic chemistry; 8 hours of biology or zoology; 3 hours of psychology; 15 hours of social science; and 8 hours of physics.

All students planning careers in chiropractic should contact the Fulbright College Advising Center in room 101 of Old Main (575-3307).

Pre-Podiatry: To meet entrance requirements for colleges of podiatry, an applicant must have completed a minimum of three years at an accredited undergraduate institution; however, most entering students have completed requirements for a bachelor's degree. Courses required for admission vary with the college and a student should inquire early in the academic program about the courses required for a particular institution. In general, a student is advised to include at least 8 hours of general chemistry, 8 hours of organic chemistry, 8 hours of physics, 8 hours of biology, and 6 hours of English. Additional information concerning requirements for specific colleges of podiatry may be obtained from Dr. Tim Kral, Department of Biological Sciences (575-3251).

Pre-Pharmacy Program: The student who wishes to enter the College of Pharmacy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences or elsewhere must satisfactorily complete the courses listed below or their equivalents plus enough electives to bring the total to 65 hours.

Students are advised to begin taking elective hours during the second semester of their freshman year. Since pharmacy schools have many more applicants than they can accept, the student is urged to earn a grade-point average somewhat higher than the minimum of 2.00. The grades are a major consideration when admission committees evaluate a student's qualifications for acceptance. The University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy and other pharmacy schools also require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). This may be taken in November or February. See the adviser for details.

The requirements for the University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy include 3-6 hours of mathematics, 9 hours of English/Communication, 16 hours of chemistry, 8 hours of biology, 4 hours of physics, 3 hours of economics, 6 hours of critical thinking/problem solving, and humanities to total 65 hours.

The pre-pharmacy adviser for the University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy is James Wisman, Instructor in Chemistry and Biochemistry, 319 Chemistry Building, phone 575-4658. Any questions concerning the pre-pharmacy program should be directed to him.

Pre-Dental Hygiene Program: Students entering the pre-dental hygiene program should determine the specific requirements for admission to the school of their choice at an early date. As an example, students who enter the dental hygiene program at the University of Arkansas College of Health Related Professions must present a minimum of 31 hours of college credit including: 4 hours of biological science; 4-5 hours of chemistry; 3 hours of mathematics; 6 hours of English; 2-3 hours of speech; 3 hours of sociology; 3 hours of psychology; 3 hours of computer science; and 3 hours of U.S. history. Students wishing to earn the B.S. degree in dental hygiene through the College of Health Related Professions must include: 6 hours of western civilization, 3 hours of fine arts, 3 hours of humanities, and 12 hours of advanced electives.

All students planning careers in dental hygiene should contact the Fulbright College Advising Center, room 101 of Old Main (575-3307).

Pre-Occupational Therapy: Students entering the pre-occupational therapy program should determine the specific requirements for admission to the school of their choice at an early date. The admission requirements for occupational therapy at the University of Central Arkansas are given as an example. Students must present a minimum of 68 hours of college credit including: 6 hours of English; 3 hours of world literature; 3 hours of fine arts; 3 hours of health education; 3 hours of US history or government; 3 hours of humanities; 3 hours of mathematics; 2 hours of physical education; 6 hours of western civilization; 3 hours of communication (speech); 12 hours of biology (must include a course in both anatomy and physiology); 5 hours of chemistry; 4 hours of physics; 6 hours of psychology; 3 hours of sociology; and an additional 3 hours of either sociology or psychology.

All students planning careers in occupational therapy should contact the Fulbright College Advising Center, room 101 of Old Main (501-575-3307)