College of Science & Health (CSH)
Pre-Professional Programs
Students have the opportunity to complete requirements in a variety of pre-professional fields prior to applying to for admission to a professional program either here at UWL or at another college or university. Declaring a pre-professional track is a statement of student's intention to apply to a professional school and helps students determine common requirements for professional programs in our region.
Pre-professional programs are not majors at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and are often referred to as "tracks" in the WINGS Student Center. Although coursework recommended by the pre-professional program may be needed for admission to a graduate school, it is not required for graduation from UWL unless also included in a student's major/minor, college core, or the university degree requirements.
Students still need to select a major to complete a degree at UWL. To select a major or add a pre-professional track to your major, complete the Change of Major form.
Pre-Athletic Training
Athletic trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide emergency care and prevent, diagnose and treat injuries and medical conditions for people in work, life and play. While athletic trainers commonly work with athletes, they also work with military service members and public servants. Learn more about athletic trainers from the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the At Your Own Risk website.
UWL offers a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training- leading to board certification - and we encourage you to consider it as you make plans for continuing your education.
Pre-Chiropractic
Help patients improve their health and wellness using a holistic approach to healthcare that involves no drugs or surgery. Chiropractic care relies on the body's inherent ability to heal with use of hands-on manipulation techniques.
Pre-Clinical Exercise Physiology
Exercise is medicine. That is the idea behind the relatively new and growing profession of a clinical exercise physiology. Professionals in this field develop individualized fitness and exercise programs for patients who have a history of cardiovascular (heart), pulmonary (lung), and metabolic disorders and chronic diseases.
UWL offers an internationally-recognized Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology program, which prepares students to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) examination.
Pre-Dentistry
Dentists play a significant role in our oral health care throughout our lives. Whether it's maintenance in our early years, braces in our adolescent years, or treatment for gum disease or teeth extractions in our senior years, successful dentists are capable and compassionate practitioners.
Pre-Engineering
UW-La Crosse offers a dual-degree program in physics and engineering that typically takes five years to complete. You spend the first three years at UWL and the final two years at one of six possible engineering programs: UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Platteville, UW-Stout, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Winona State University.
Pre-Forestry
Trees enhance our quality of life. Their planting, sustainable management and protection in forests are key to supporting life on the planet. Professional foresters manage forested land primarily for the renewable resource of wood or biomass.
Students may fulfill pre-professional requirements in completing a variety of programs at UWL with the intention of going to a graduate school in forestry.
Pre-Genetic Counseling
Genetic counselors use tests to study DNA, the hereditary material in every cell of our body that provides instructions for how we grow, develop and function. They communicate the results to patients and their providers. If you enjoy hard science, are team-oriented, detail-oriented and enjoy helping others, this may be the right field for you.
You will need to select a major to complete your undergraduate degree. Most students choose biology or psychology.
Pre-Medical Dosimetry
Medical dosimetrists plan the treatment for patients receiving radiation therapy. Medical dosimetry requires critical thinking and problem solving, as well as a good understanding of cross sectional anatomy.
You will still need to select a major to complete your undergraduate degree. Radiation Therapy is common, but not a requirement. An undergraduate degree in a biological and physical science is encouraged.
Pre-Medicine
Physicians diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill or have been injured, and also work to prevent health problems before they occur. If you are interested in the intricacies of the human body’s systems, leadership, and helping others, medicine may be right for you. Physicians fill a variety of roles in a variety of settings, whether they choose DO (osteopathic) or MD (allopathic) training.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Are you interested in interacting directly with patients and providing compassionate care?
Are you an active listener and good communicator?
Are you interested in how the human body works and moves?
Are you interested in how people cope with and recover from illness and/or injury?
Can you motivate people?
If the answers are yes, then Occupational Therapy may be right for you!
Pre-Optometry
Optometry is a healthcare profession focusing on the eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans. Optometrists are trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision and are trained to diagnose and treat various eye diseases.
Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
Physicians diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill or have been injured, and also work to prevent health problems before they occur. If you are interested in the intricacies of the human body’s systems, leadership, and helping others, medicine may be right for you. Physicians fill a variety of roles in a variety of settings, whether they choose DO (osteopathic) or MD (allopathic) training.
Pre-Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the science and technique of preparing and dispensing drugs. Linking health sciences with chemical sciences, pharmacists are medication experts who provide education and enhance patient care.
Pre-Physical Therapy
A factory worker with an injured back. An athlete with a sore shoulder. An elderly individual with arthritis. A child with a disability. Physical therapists work with a wide variety of people recovering from injury or disease, helping to improve their quality of life.
Pre-Physician Assistant Studies
Physician assistant is the No. 1 ranked healthcare job, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2021 Best Health Care Jobs list. PAs are medical providers who are licensed to diagnose and treat illness and disease and to prescribe medication for patients. They work in physician offices, hospitals and clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician.
Pre-Podiatry
Physicians diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill or have been injured, and also work to prevent health problems before they occur. If you are interested in the intricacies of the human body’s systems, leadership, and helping others, medicine may be right for you. Physicians fill a variety of roles in a variety of settings, whether they choose DO (osteopathic) or MD (allopathic) training.
Pre-Veterinary
Veterinarians work in a variety of settings — clinics, zoos, farms, corporate, non-profit, and more — and with a wide range of animals, both domesticated and wild. In addition to an interest in animals, solid performance in science coursework is a requirement.