academic catalogue

2023-2024 Catalogue

Pre-Professional Concentrations

Allied Health

Advisor: Dr. Barry Rhoades

Career Description: Allied health encompasses a broad group of health professionals who use scientific principles and evidence-based practice for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic diseases, who promote disease prevention and wellness for optimum health and who support other healthcare providers in delivering care. The scope of allied health practice extends to the individual, the family, the community and to public education; many allied health professions specialize in the promotion of optimum health and the improvement of health-related quality of life. In addition, heath care administration and health systems management are important components of allied health. Professions that are often listed as “allied health” include many of the well-known non-nurse, non-physician health care providers including audiologists and speech language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and respiratory therapists, diagnostic medical personnel including medical technologists, imaging specialists, nutritionists, dietitians and physician assistants. 

Becoming an Allied Health Professional: Allied health professions fall into three broad categories: technicians (assistants), therapists and technologists. Technicians are trained to perform procedures, and their education lasts less than two years. They are required to work under the supervision of technologists or therapists. Cardiovascular technicians, ophthalmic medical technicians and medical assistants are examples of careers in this category. The educational process for therapists (including Physician Assistants and Physical Therapists)or technologists (including Audiologists and Athletic Trainers) is more intensive and includes acquiring procedural skills, learning to evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans and understand the rationale behind various treatments in order to judge their appropriateness and potential side effects. Generally, therapists/technologists require an undergraduate degree and additional post-baccalaureate and/or graduate education.

Coursework for Pre-Allied Health Concentration (46 credit hours)

Courses                                    Credit Hours
BIO 110/BIO 112                           8 hours
CHM 101/CHM 102                       8 hours
BIO 210/211                                8 hours
BIO 203                                     4 hours
WIS 101 or ENG 101                     3 hours
ENG elective                              3 hours
MAT 220                                    3 hours
PHI 223                                     3 hours
PSY 101                                     3 hours
HCA 308                                   3 hours

Athletic Training

Advisor: Dr. Virginia Wilcox

Career Description: Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations.  As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.  Athletic trainers provide medical services to all types of patients, not just athletes participating in sports, and can work in a variety of job settings. Athletic trainers relieve widespread and future workforce shortages in primary care support and outpatient rehab professions. Athletic trainers improve functional outcomes and specialize in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury. Athletic trainers are able to reduce injury and shorten rehabilitation time for their patients, which translates to lower absenteeism from work or school and reduced health care costs.

Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program, and 70% of ATs have a master’s degree. Athletic trainers are licensed or otherwise regulated in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Becoming an Athletic Trainer: Although there are undergraduate programs in Athletic Training, there is an effort to move this profession to one that requires a Masters degree or higher for certification. All new programs in Athletic Training will be graduate degrees; therefore, students interested in this field should plan on applying to a program which will provide a Masters in Athletic Training (MAT). These programs are competitive and require a strong undergraduate GPA (generally 3.0 or higher) and extensive patient contact experience. Masters granting programs are generally 2-3 years in duration; training education uses a competency-based approach in both the classroom and clinical settings. To become a certified athletic trainer, a student must graduate with bachelors or master’s degree from an accredited professional athletic training education program and pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification (BOC). Once certified, athletic trainers must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.

Coursework for Pre-Athletic Training Concentration (32 credit hours)

Courses                   Credit Hours
BIO 110                    4 hours
CHM 101                  4 hours
PHY 115                   4 hours
WIS 101 or ENG 101   3 hours
BIO 210/211              8 hours
PSY 101                   3 hours
MAT 220                  3 hours
NUR 205                 3 hours

Dentistry

Advisor: Dr. Holly Boettger-Tong

Career Description: Dentists are devoted to maintaining oral health as well as a patient’s overall health. In their practices, dentists treat and work with people from all age groups. They diagnose and treat conditions of the oral cavity and associated structures using advanced technologies including radiography and computer generated imaging. Dentists restore and replace teeth damaged from decay, trauma or disease. They help patients improve chewing, speech, digestion of food, sleep patterns and physical appearance. Specialties available within dentistry with further training following dental school include: Endodontics (nerves), Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics (appliances), Public Health and others.

Becoming a Dentist: To become a dentist, one must complete a bachelor’s degree in any major, along with requisite courses (see “Coursework” below). Thereafter, completion of a 4 year professional degee dental program is required. The terminal degree is either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medical Dentistry). Upon completion of Dental School, passing a professional licensing exam is required.

Coursework for Pre-Dental Concentration (52 credit hours)

Courses                                    Credit Hours
BIO 110/BIO 112                           8 hours
CHM 101/CHM 102                       8 hours
WIS 101 or ENG 101                      3 hours
ENG elective                              3 hours
CHM 221/CHM 222                      8 hours
PHY 115/PHY 116                         8 hours
BIO 245                                     4 hours
BIO 318                                      4 hours
ART 108 or ART 231                     3 hours
BUS 106                                     3 hours
 

Medicine

Advisor: Dr. Wanda Schroeder

Career Description: Physicians assess, diagnose and treat patients of all ages, using a biological approach to healing and maintenance of good health. They perform examinations, analyze medical histories, order and interpret diagnostic tests and develop treatment plans. Physicians work in a variety of settings including hospitals, industry, private practice and in government. Completion of Medical school, followed by residency and in some cases, subspecialization training, is required.

Becoming a Physician: There is no single, "correct" path to Medical school. Some people start planning for it before they start college, others don't pursue it until after they graduate. Students should complete a bachelor’s degree in a field of their choice along with necessary prerequisite courses (see below); attaining a competitive undergraduate GPA (at least 3.6 overall and in science courses, no grades less than C) is essential for successful applications, as is a competitive score on the MCAT. After earning an undergraduate degree, four years of Medical school (attaining a Medical Doctor, MD degree) followed by on the job training (residency) which lasts 3-8 years is common. Subspecialization is accomplished through fellowships which can last several more years. MDs and DOs (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a related career) must pass a state licensing exam and must also pass board exams for certification in specialty areas.

Coursework for Pre-Medicine Concentration (53 credit hours)

Courses                       Credit Hours
BIO 110/BIO 112             8 hours
CHM 101/CHM 102         8 hours
CHM 221/CHM 222        8 hours
WIS 101 or ENG 101       3 hours
ENG elective                3 hours
BIO 320                       4 hours
BIO 270                       4 hours
BIO 340                       4 hours
BIO 318                       3 hours
PHY 115/PHY 116           8 hours

 

Pharmacy

Advisor: Dr. Glenda Ferguson

Career Description: Pharmacists dispense medications prescribed by physicians and other health professionals. They must understand the use, clinical effects and composition of drugs. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings, including retail drug stores, hospitals and clinics.

Becoming a Pharmacist: An excellent undergraduate GPA (3.5 and above), competitive PCAT scores and considerable experience shadowing or working in a pharmacy is absolutely critical for acceptance into pharmacy programs.  Pharmacy programs are four years from point of entry, resulting in the awarding of a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) degree. Students who achieve the Pharm.D. degree must also pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and state law examination in order to engage in professional practice.

Coursework for Pre-Pharmacy Concentration (51 credit hours)

Courses                       Credit Hours

BIO 110/BIO 112             8 hours
CHM 101/CHM 102         8 hours
CHM 221/CHM 222         8 hours
WIS 101 or ENG 101        3 hours
ENG Elective                 3 hours
BIO 210/BIO 211             8 hours
BIO 245                       4 hours
BIO 318                        3 hours
MAT 205                      3 hours
MAT 220                      3 hours

Veterinary Medicine

Advisor: Dr. Holly Boettger-Tong

Career Description: Veterinarians play a vital role in the healthcare of pets, livestock, zoo animals, and laboratory animals. They also protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct research into animal health problems. Veterinarians take health histories of animals, perform and interpret tests, diagnose problems, prescribe medications, develop treatment plans, and perform surgeries. They specialize their care in a number of areas including large, small, and exotic animal care. Veterinarians help pet owners through difficult times, keep our food supply safe, and study diseases that often impact human populations.

Becoming a Veterinarian: Veterinary programs are extremely competitive as there are relatively few programs in the country. Competitive applicants are well-rounded students with excellent academic credentials (see “Coursework” below) competitive GRE scores, outstanding leadership skills, research, and volunteer and shadowing experience. Significant animal experience is generally expected, including time supervised by a veterinarian in both small and large animal settings and time spent in other contact with animals. After completing a bachelor’s degree (which is preferred at most schools), students who have been accepted into a veterinary school program then complete 4 years of veterinary school. Upon completion of Veterinary School, passing a professional licensing exam is required. This may be followed by a residency if a specialization is the goal.

Coursework for Pre-Veterinary Concentration (52 credit hours)

Courses                       Credit Hours
BIO 110/BIO 112             8 hours
CHM 101/CHM 102         8 hours
CHM 221/CHM 222        8 hours
PHY 115/PHY 116            8 hours
WIS 101 or ENG 101       3 hours
ENG Elective                3 hours
BIO 270                       4 hours
BIO 318                       3 hours
BIO 340                      4 hours
BUS 106                      3 hours

Campus image

Calendar of Events

Wesleyan College is privileged to steward many arts and cultural events and share them with the community. Most are free and open to the public. Wesleyan art galleries are open M-F 1-5PM and on Wesleyan Market Saturdays from 10AM-2PM.

Event listing

Visit our Campus

Tour our beautiful 200-acre campus featuring Georgian architecture, lush green spaces, recreational facilities, residence halls, and worship center.

Vist Wesleyan Virtually

NCAA Division III Athletics

Wesleyan College is home to five NCAA Division III sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball. In addition, we offer an award-winning Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Equestrian program.

View More

Join our email list