Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Dentistry Program

A student planning to enter dental school typically earns a B.S. degree in biology at Brescia University. The Brescia student is made aware of the importance of adequate preparation through course work, supplemental reading, and counseling in preparation for the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).

Pre-Engineering Program

Engineering schools require a basic program of instruction in conjunction with the specified engineering courses necessary to obtain a bachelor’s degree in any branch of engineering. The two-year program at Brescia is designed to prepare the student so that an additional two years is usually sufficient to complete the B.S. degree requirements of an accredited engineering school. Students having a weak mathematical background will need more than two years of study at Brescia to complete the basic program. (See also the A.S. degree in Engineering Studies.)

Total Requirements: 64 credit hours

Pre-Law Studies

The goal of this interdisciplinary program is to prepare students for admission to law school and for the completion of a law degree. Although law schools have no specific course requirements for admission, there is a certain knowledge base and set of skills that is useful to law students and to attorneys.

This program also equips graduates entering the workforce in non-discipline-specific jobs with the kinds of strong critical thinking, communication, and writing skills that employers continue to seek. The pre-law studies degree is anchored in three major disciplines that develop these skills by providing a strong background in history, philosophy, and political science The program objectives are based on information provided in The Official Guide to ABA Approved Law Schools, published by the American Bar Association POLITICAL SCIENCE 131 and by the Law School Admission Council (2011 edition). The program offers opportunities for internships in settings with first-hand experience such as law offices, businesses, judicial offices, or government agencies.

Total Requirements: 128 credit hours

Pre-Medicine 

A student in the pre-medical program works in close consultation with pre-professional advisers. Courses are offered regularly, and each student’s work is evaluated periodically in view of her/his professional goal.

Pre-Nursing

The following courses will meet the prerequisites necessary for making application to the University of Louisville BSN program: Eng 101 and Eng 102;

Sph 110

Phl 110 and Phl 231 (and/or possibly Phl 347 – consult advisor)

Psy 105 and Psy 300

Soc 204 OR Mus 305

Mth 250 OR 313; and one of the following Mth 113 OR 211

His 101 OR 102

Art 180 OR 280 OR 281 OR Drm 141 OR Mus 100

Eng 201 OR 202 OR 203 OR 204 OR Phl 103 OR Th 219

SW 310 OR Th 219 OR Mus 305

Soc 325 OR SW 280 OR 301 OR 302 OR 310

Chm 100 OR 101

Bio 112, 115, 201, 305, 305L, 311, 311L; 201L highly recommended

See also the Associate of Science in Health Sciences Degree

Pre-Optometry Program

The pre-optometry program satisfies the pre-professional requirements of optometry schools. Course work includes chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and a battery of liberal arts courses. The student is advised to seek out and fulfill the pre-professional requirements of the optometry school to which s/he intends to apply.

Pre-Pharmacy Program

Admission to a college of pharmacy typically requires courses in English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, economics, and the humanities. To fulfill R.Ph. degree requirements, most colleges of pharmacy recommend the 2-3 plan, (two years of college work followed by three years of professional work in a college of pharmacy). To fulfill Ph.D. degree requirements, many colleges of pharmacy recommend the 2-4 plan, (two years of college work followed by four years of professional work in a college of pharmacy). The student is advised to seek out and fulfill the pre-professional requirements of the college of pharmacy to which he/she intends to apply.

The following two-year sequence includes the courses required for admission to all colleges of pharmacy:

Required Courses:

Bio 105/L Ecology and Evolution (3) and Lab (1)

Bio 115/L Molecular and Cellular Biology (3) and Lab (1)

Bio 311/L Microbiology (3) and Lab (1)

Chm 101/L General Chemistry I (3) and Lab (1)

Chm 102/L General Chemistry II (3) and Lab (1)

Chm 301/L Organic Chemistry I (3) and Lab (1)

Chm 302/L Organic Chemistry II (3) and Lab (1)

Eco 201 Economic Concepts I (3)

Eng 101 Writing I (3)

Eng 102 Writing II (3)

Mth 211 Calculus I (4)

PhS 201/L General Physics I (3) and Lab (1)

PhS 202/L General Physics II (3) and Lab (1)

Recommended courses:

Chm 205/L Quantitative Analysis (3) and Lab (1)

Chm 409/410 Biochemistry I OR Biochemistry II (3)

Eco 202 Economic Concepts II (3)

Mth 313 Probability and Statistics (3)

Pre-Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is generally a doctoral graduate program. The requirements for entrance into programs at Kentucky universities currently include biology (anatomy and physiology and/or general biology), chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics. Other courses may be required by individual programs; therefore, students are encouraged to identify programs of interest and, working with the pre-professional advisor, ensure that they include such courses in their undergraduate program.

Pre-Podiatric Medicine

Requirements for admission to podiatric medical schools include general biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, and English, all of which are part of the biology major. A student interested in podiatric medicine is encouraged to identify the program of interest and to work closely with the health professional advisory committee for successful preparation for entrance into schools of podiatry.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Admission to medical school and veterinary medical school typically require the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology. The pre-medical program satisfies the requirements of veterinary medical schools with the exception of agriculture courses, which must be taken elsewhere.

Speech Pathology and Audiology

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has developed knowledge and skill acquisition (KASA) expectations for students engaged in speech pathology and audiology educational and clinical endeavors. The Speech Pathology and Audiology program at Brescia University conforms closely to those expectations. The student who chooses the pre-professional program track in Speech Pathology/Audiology will work closely with her/his advisor to ensure successful preparation prior to professional graduate school application