Apply Today

SFA Home / Bulletin / College of Sciences and Mathematics

Pre-professional Programs

J. Kevin Langford, Director

Kennedy Auditorium 101
(936) 468-2315
Fax: (936) 468-6256
klangford@sfasu.edu
www.sfasu.edu/prepro/

Overview

Within the pre-health professions programs at SFASU, undergraduate students will be mentored and guided toward successful fulfillment of prerequisites for the professional program of their choosing. Their SFASU education will be the foundation upon which professional training will be built.

Classification as a pre-health professional is a declaration of intent to pursue professional training following undergraduate studies. As an undergraduate, pre-health professions students will work toward a Bachelor of Science degree (some students choose a Bachelor of Arts degree path). The discipline within which to focus, the major, is the choice of the student. None of the professional schools in Texas specify a required major. However, due to the number of science prerequisites, as well as the topics covered on many admissions examinations, majors and/or minors in disciplines such as biology and chemistry are common among professional school applicants.

Pre-professional programs at SFA covered by the pre-health professions adviser include: pre-chircopractic , pre-dental hygiene, pre-dentistry, pre-clinical laboratory sciences (medical technology), pre-medicine, pre-occupational therapy, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant and pre-veterinary medicine (also may be advised within the Department of Agriculture for animal science majors).

Other pre-professional programs at SFA that are advised outside of the pre-health professions include: pre-nursing (School of Nursing), pre-law (Department of Political Science) and pre-engineering and pre-architecture (Department of Physics).

Pre-Health Professions Degree Plan

For those declaring themselves as pre-chiropractic, pre-dental hygiene, pre-dentistry, pre-clinical laboratory sciences (medical technology), pre-medicine, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physician assistant, or pre-veterinary medicine “majors.”

1 Fine Arts Elective - Choice of ART 280, 281, 282; DAN 140, 341; MUS 140, 160; THR 161, 370
2 Comp Science Elective - Choice of CSC 101,102, 121, 201.
3 HIS 133/4 (or MTH 133/9) - MTH 133, 138, and 139 are all SFA prerequisites for MTH 233. If calculus is completed earlier, neither MTH 133 nor MTH 139 are required and HIS 133/134 can be taken instead, allowing six additional hours for general electives (see below).
4 Literature Elective - Choice of ENG 200-235, 300.
5 Botany Elective - Choice of BIO 225, 251, 401, 404, 424, 435.
6 PrePro BIO Elective - Choice of BIO 220, 410, or 445, based on the professional program of interest.
7 PrePro BIO Elective - Choice of BIO 220, 410, or 445, based on the professional program of interest.
8 Field Biology Elective - Choice of BIO 312, 313, 433, 435, 436, 437, 438, 450.

Pre-Occupational/Physical Therapy Degree Plan

For those declaring themselves as pre-physical therapy or pre-occupational therapy “major.”

1 Fine Arts Elective - Choice of ART 280, 281, 282; DAN 140, 341; MUS 140, 160; THR 161, 370
2 Comp Science Elective - Choice of CSC 101, 102, 121, 201.
3 Literature Elective - Choice of ENG 200- 235, 300.
4 Botany Elective - Choice of BIO 225, 251, 401, 404, 424, 435.
5 Field Biology Elective - Choice of BIO 312, 313, 433, 435, 436, 437, 438, 450.

SFA Pre-professional Programs

The following specific descriptions are current as of the publication of this bulletin. Since prerequisites are defined by each individual school, they can and do vary from year to year and school to school. Completing the recommended coursework will allow the student to apply to all of the programs in the state. When given a choice of freshman-and sophomore-level courses in the sciences, the schools generally require those offered for the science majors. Some course substitutions may be permitted for those not majoring in the sciences. Current information on each of the following is available in the pre-health professions adviser’s office located in the entrance foyer of Kennedy Auditorium (KA-101).

Joint Admissions Medical Program (JAMP)

SFA is one of more than 30 public universities in Texas administering JAMP. JAMP is a special program created to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged students pursuing a medical education through continued appropriations from the Texas Legislature. Those students who satisfy both academic and non-academic requirements are guaranteed admission to at least one participating medical school in Texas. Applications can be obtained in the pre-health professions office.

Pre-Chiropractic

The two chiropractic schools in Texas require that between 60 and 90 semester hours be completed prior to admission and must include a minimum of eight hours each in biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and six hours English; three hours of psychology; and at least 15 within the humanities and three hours computer science.

Pre-Dental Hygiene

There are 15 schools in Texas that provide dental hygiene programs at the certificate- or associate-level, none of which require attendance of SFA. Five schools have bachelor’s level programs which have 30-60 semester hours in minimum prerequisites. These composite prerequisites include up to 16 hours of biology, eight hours of chemistry, six hours of mathematics, 12 hours of English and speech, and the remainder in history, political science, and behavioral, cultural, or social sciences.

Pre-Dentistry

There are three dental schools in Texas, and they require a minimum of 90 semester hours, although more than 90 percent of applicants will have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. Minimum course prerequisites include 14 hours of biology, 19 hours of chemistry (inorganic, organic, and biochemistry), eight hours of physics, and six hours of English. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) also is required and may be scheduled at any time through Sylvan Technology Centers.

Pre-Medicine

There are eight medical schools in Texas, and they require a composite minimum of 90 semester hours, although more than 95 percent of applicants will have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. Minimum course prerequisites include 14 hours of biology, 16 hours of chemistry (general and organic), eight hours of physics, and six hours of English. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) also is required.

Pre-Clinical Laboratory Sciences/Medical Technology

There are 12 schools that offer a bachelor’s degree in this field and require between 60 and 90 semester hours, and some can be attended after completion of a bachelor’s at SFA. Composite prerequisites include 39 hours of biology, 24 hours of chemistry (inorganic, organic, quantitative analysis and biochemistry), eight hours of physics, nine hours of mathematics, 12 hours of English and speech and the remainder in history, political science, and behavioral, cultural, or social sciences.

Pre-Optometry

There is one Texas school offering a Doctor of Optometry degree and it requires a baccalaureate for admission. This school requires a minimum of 20 semester hours of biology, 15 hours of chemistry (inorganic, organic and biochemistry), nine hours of mathematics, eight hours of physics, and three hours of psychology. The Optometric Admissions Test (OAT) also is required for admission.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

There are six schools that offer occupational therapy programs in Texas all at the master’s level. Composite course prerequisites include 19 semester hours of biology (including medical terminology), four hours of inorganic chemistry, four hours of physics, six hours of mathematics, nine hours of English, nine hours of psychology, six hours of sociology, and the remainder in history, political science and humanities, kinesiology and electives. Additionally, most schools require 20-40 hours of field observation time in support of the application, and one school requires the Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE).

Pre-Pharmacy

There are six pharmacy schools in Texas, none of which require a bachelor’s degree for admission. However, because of the competitiveness of the programs, a bachelor’s degree is recommended. Composite course requirements include 20 semester hours of biology, 16 hours of chemistry (inorganic and organic), eight hours of physics, six hours of mathematics, 12 hours of English and speech, and the remainder in history, political science, and behavioral, cultural, or social sciences. The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) also is required for admission.

Pre-Physical Therapy

There are nine physical therapy schools that offer the master’s-level entry degree, all of which require a bachelor’s degree for admission. Composite course prerequisites include 19 semester hours biology (including medical terminology), eight hours of inorganic chemistry, eight hours of physics, six hours of mathematics, 15 hours of English and speech, six hours of psychology, and the remainder in history, political science, and behavioral, cultural, or social sciences. Additionally, a minimum of 75-150 hours of field observation time in up to three different settings are required in support of the application.

Pre-Physician Assistant

There are seven schools in Texas, none of which require a bachelor’s degree for admission. However, because of the competitiveness of the programs, a bachelor’s degree is recommended. Composite course requirements include 20 semester hours of biology, 16 hours of chemistry (inorganic and organic), six hours of mathematics, 12 hours of English and speech, and the remainder in history, political science, and behavioral, cultural, or social sciences, medical terminology (recommended). The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) also is required for admission

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

There is only one veterinary school in Texas. It does not require a bachelor’s degree for admission; but because of the competition, a bachelor’s is highly recommended. Prerequisites include 12 semester hours of biology, 19 hours of chemistry (inorganic, organic, and biochemistry), three hours of mathematics, eight hours of physics, 12 hours of English and speech, and four hours of animal nutrition. Experience in working with large animals is recommended.

Top of page

Future Students Visit Academics Students Faculty/Staff Library Alumni & Friends Administration