Pre-professional Programs
Students may fulfill pre-professional requirements in a variety of programs at UW-La Crosse and transfer to other schools to complete their training. Pre-professional programs vary widely. Some professional schools require a degree, others do not. It is essential that students in all pre-professional programs are aware of the requirements of the school where they plan to transfer in order to tailor their course work at UW-La Crosse to the requirements of the degree-granting institution. The pre-professional advisors on campus help students design their curriculum to meet these requirements, and the College of Science and Health directs students to the appropriate advisors. A pre-professional program is a statement of intent on the student's part, not an academic major. Pre-professional programs are listed below.
Dr. Glenn Brice, advisor (608-785-6973, brice.glen@uwlax.edu )
- Students typically enroll at UW-La Crosse for a minimum of two to three years, earning 60-90 credits.
- Most chiropractic schools strongly recommend that students earn a bachelor's degree before matriculation.
- Specific required courses include biology, chemistry, and physics.
- All courses necessary for a pre-chiropractic curriculum are available at UW-La Crosse.
Pre-Dentistry
Dr. Michael Abler, advisor (608-785-6962, abler.mich@uwlax.edu )
- Minimum of two years liberal arts study, but many schools require three years of college and most prefer a bachelor's degree
Pre-Engineering: Physics/Engineering Dual Degree Program
Dr. Gubbi Sudhakaran, advisor (608-785-8433, sudhakar.gubb@uwlax.edu )
- Requires calculus, chemistry, and physics during the first two years of course work
- Students earn a physics degree from UW-L and an engineering degree from a partnering institution.
Pre-Forestry
Dr. Tim Gerber, advisor (608-785-6977, gerber.dani@uwlax.edu )
- Generally requires junior status with 60 semester credits
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
Pre-Podiatry
Scott Stine, advisor (608-785-8166, stine.scot@uwlax.edu)
- Most medical students are admitted after earning a bachelor's degree.
- Students typically take the required Medical College Admission Test in the junior year.
- Specific required courses include biology, physics, chemistry, English, and mathematics.
- The majority of pre-med students major in chemistry, biology, or microbiology.
- The UW-La Crosse pre-medicine curriculum satisfies the minimum requirements for the two Wisconsin medical schools as well as all medical schools in Iowa and Illinois.
Carla Burkhardt, advisor (608-785-8218, burkhard.carl@uwlax.edu )
- Students typically take one year of courses at UW-La Crosse.
Pre-Optometry
Dr. Michael Abler, advisor (608-785-6962, abler.mich@uwlax.edu )
- All courses necessary for a pre-optometry curriculum are available at UW-La Crosse.
- Most optometry schools require 90 semester credits, with the completion of a bachelor's degree highly recommended.
- The Optometry Admission Test must be taken before or during the semester in which the student applies for admission.
Scott Stine, advisor (608-785-8166, stine.scot@uwlax.edu)
- A two to three-year pre-pharmacy and the four-year professional program lead to a bachelor's degree.
- A typical pre-pharmacy program, which requires 65 semester credits, can be completed at UW-La Crosse.
- Admission to an accredited school of pharmacy requires a grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Most pharmacy schools require the Pharmacy College Admission Test.
- UW-La Crosse maintains a close working relationship with the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and representatives from each program visit our campus each fall.
John Greany, advisor (608-785-8461, greany.john@uwlax.edu)
- Prerequisite courses are similar to those for the medical technology, nuclear medicine technology, physician assistant, and occupational therapy programs.
- Admission to UW-L's accredited physical therapy program requires a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Requires completion of two 20-hour clinical work experiences
- Requires completion of a bachelor's degree
Dr. Bernadette Taylor, advisor (608-785-6990, taylor.bern@uwlax.edu )
- Students must take the Veterinary Aptitude Test and/or the Graduate Record Exam.
- Internship programs in cooperation with local veterinarians offer opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in the profession.
- All courses necessary for a pre-veterinary curriculum are available at UW-La Crosse.
- Admission to veterinary school requires a minimum of 60 semester credits
