Concordia College Health Professions

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Health Professions

See also Medical Technology and Nursing

Concordia College offers pre-professional health programs in dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, physical therapy, respiratory therapy and veterinary medicine. The college also offers majors in medical technology and nursing (see those sections of the catalog).

Since all of the pre-professional health programs have similar basic requirements, students have the opportunity to explore all of them before making a final decision. Each program also provides the flexibility for taking courses other than those required for professional preparation. Schools in the health professions recommend a broad liberal arts undergraduate education for two reasons. One is that members of these professions must be able to relate well to people, to communicate effectively, and to understand human nature and social institutions. The other is that courses in professional schools are technical and specialized in nature, leaving little time or opportunity for any other type of study.

Most students in the pre-professional programs choose to major in either biology or chemistry, but a major in the humanities or the social sciences may be equally satisfactory. Students should plan their course of study with one of the health professions advisers since different schools, even for the same profession (veterinary medicine, for example), often differ in specific requirements.

Basic prerequisites for professional programs in the health sciences are usually the following: biology -- two courses, chemistry -- three to four courses, mathematics -- one or two courses, physics -- two courses.

In addition, there may be requirements in the humanities, the behavioral or social sciences, or other areas.

College grades are important in determining students' acceptance into any professional school, but most schools also require applicants to take standardized national tests, the results of which weigh heavily in determining acceptance of applicants. We stress the importance of a Cooperative Education experience in one's preferred pre-professional area. Such experiences are tailored specifically for each student.

Students submit their applications approximately one year before they desire to enter the professional program. Throughout the application process, they work closely with faculty advisers.

Dentistry

Dental schools accept candidates on the basis of their academic performance and entrance test results. Students interested in dental careers should obtain a sound academic background in high school, including courses in mathematics, the sciences, modern languages and social studies.

The minimum college requirements for admission into dental school are as follows: two courses in biology; four courses in chemistry, including two courses in organic chemistry; two courses in physics; one course in mathematics, at least through college algebra; one course in psychology; and two courses in English.

Recommended college elective courses include art, biochemistry, cell biology, histology, human anatomy and physiology, genetics, microbiology and other courses to achieve as broad and liberal an education as possible.

The required entrance test for admission into dental school is the Dental Admissions Test, which may be taken in April of the junior year in college or not later than October of the senior year. Students are strongly advised to complete Concordia's Cooperative Education in Dentistry program.

Adviser
Gerald L. Van Amburg

Medicine

Since medical schools require only a few basic courses, premedical students are encouraged to include in their coursework classes that reflect their other interests. However, students should consult with faculty advisers before planning their programs.

Specific requirements usually include the following: two courses in biology (additional courses are recommended); four courses in chemistry, including two courses in organic chemistry; two courses in physics; and one or two courses in mathematics, including calculus.

All medical colleges require that students take the Medical College Admission Test prior to submitting an application. The MCAT is given two times each year -- usually the third Saturday in April and the third Saturday in August. It is recommended that the test be taken at the end of the junior year, provided the student has completed all of the courses listed on the preceding page. Along with a student's grades, the MCAT is a major factor in determining acceptance into medical school. For this reason, the student and premedical adviser must plan course work that will adequately prepare the student for the test. Students are strongly advised to complete Concordia's Cooperative Education in Medicine program.

Advisers
Ellen L. Aho	Jack R. Powers
Ivan M. Johnson	Carol I. Pratt
David L. Mork	William L. Todt
Carlton W. Paulson	Gerald L. Van Amburg

Occupational Therapy

Since schools of occupational therapy vary in their requirements, interested students should consult with the program adviser as soon as possible. Prerequisites set by occupational therapy schools are usually similar to those set by schools of physical therapy. Besides the regular science course work, students in this program should take some art courses, especially those that emphasize working with the hands.

Adviser
Ivan M. Johnson

Optometry

Students seeking admission into schools of optometry must have completed at least three years of college course work. Most students, however, complete a four-year degree before beginning their optometric studies.

Pre-optometry students at Concordia follow a program very similar to that of students in pre-medicine. Humanities and social science courses should be included in the curriculum, which should be planned in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Colleges of optometry require applicants to take the Optometric College Admission Test (OCAT). Students are strongly advised to complete Concordia's Cooperative Education in Optometry program.

Adviser
Ivan M. Johnson

Physical Therapy

Schools of physical therapy vary in their prerequisites for application to their programs, including the total number of college courses (years of college) needed before entering.

Students interested in physical therapy should consult with the program adviser as soon as possible. Students expecting to present a competitive application to a physical therapy professional program should have a Cooperative Education experience in physical therapy or equivalent experiences. The following sequence of studies is suggested for completion during the first three years of college:
biology -- two courses, chemistry -- two courses, discourse -- two courses, humanities or social science elective -- one course, physical education -- one-half course, sociology -- one course, anatomy and physiology -- two courses, physics -- two courses, psychology -- two courses, religion -- one course, electives -- two courses.

It is important that as early in their college careers as possible students obtain specific information from each of the physical therapy schools to which they eventually plan to apply. Many physical therapy programs currently require the GRE.

Adviser
Ivan M. Johnson

Respiratory Therapy

Although programs in respiratory therapy are available in some hospitals and technical schools, the requirements for this field are changing and some programs require a college degree. Therefore, students interested in this area should consult early with the program adviser.

Adviser
Ivan M. Johnson

Veterinary Medicine

Comparatively few schools of veterinary medicine exist in relation to the number of students seeking admission into their programs. Competition for acceptance is high. Although students may be accepted into veterinary schools after only two years of college, they are most often accepted as four-year graduates. For these reasons and because veterinary schools vary in their prerequisites, interested students should consult with the program adviser as soon as possible.

The requirements of the University of Minnesota Veterinary School are a good example of the kind of course work involved in pre-veterinary medicine: four courses in biology, including genetics and microbiology; five courses in chemistry, including biochemistry; two courses in physics; one to two courses in mathematics (college algebra or calculus); two courses in English composition; and two courses in music, art and literature.

In addition, many veterinary schools require completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Adviser
Carlton W. Paulson