Other Pre-Professional Programs |
Baccalaureate Pre-Professional Programs
Most professional schools and universities throughout the US require a baccalaureate degree for admission to programs such as medicine, dentistry and law. The program offered at NSU leading to the BA and BS degrees provides such preparation. NSU students should request catalogs from a number of professional schools and follow the recommended graduate program for entrance into the professional school they wish to attend.
Students may also choose to complete 2 years of coursework before transferring into a professional school for a baccalaureate degree. Students who plan to transfer to a professional school should plan their programs using the professional school catalog from the college or university to which the transfer is planned. NSU has entered into an agreement with South Dakota State University to provide the first 2 years of a nursing program. NSU also has agreements with South Dakota State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to provide the first two years of an engineering program.
Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, Physical Therapy & Veterinary Medicine
These professional schools accept students with majors in a variety of fields. Regardless of major, however, a strong science and math background and a high score on the appropriate admission's test increase the probability of acceptance into the professional school of choice. Most students at NSU who are planning these careers major in biology with minors in chemistry and/or psychology.
Law
Students interested in law should follow closely the recommendations made by the Association of American Law Schools. For assistance in preparing for law school, see the Dean of Arts and Sciences. The LSAT, which is usually taken during the senior year, may be taken on campus.
Law school enterance requirements include a degree from an accredited 4-year institution, a minimum GPA of 3.00 and an acceptable LSAT score. Although no particular undergraduate specialization is required, the Association of American Law Schools advises that the pre-law curriculum include the development of basic skills (including comprehension and expression in language), a critical understanding of human institutions and values and creative power in thinking.