Pre-Professional Programs Many opportunities exist for Biola students who are actively seeking professional education and training. Several agreements currently exist (Chiropractic and Engineering) that allow Biola students to participate in degree completion programs leading to specialized bachelors degrees or both bachelor ʼ s degree and a first professional doctorate. Additional opportunities are available that prepare the Biola graduate to enter the professional education / training phase with confidence. A significant number of Biola graduates are currently serving in professional capacities. They routinely cite their excellent undergraduate education programs as predictors of success in their professional endeavors. Students who are interested in pursuing professional degrees after attending Biola should plan carefully and consult with potential professional schools concerning their requirements. In some cases, assistance from a major adviser should be supplemented by other advising resources available at Biola. The Office of Career Services assists students in various ways. The Biola Office of Health Professions Advising (BOHPA) also mentors students pursuing these careers, provides support for health professional school applications, graduate exam preparation, mock interviews and clinical shadowing experiences. If a student is unsure about pre- professional advising, help should be sought from the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, located in Metzger Hall. The following provides some basic information about pre- professional education at Biola. Pre-Medicine Students who wish to pursue a career in medicine should plan to build a strong foundation in the sciences and mathematics. Courses in biology, chemistry and physics form the core of this preparation. While almost all students at Biola who are preparing to enter medical school major in biological science or biochemistry with a pre-med concentration, other majors are possible if the student completes all of the core science courses required by the medical school. These include one year of General Biology, one year of Chemistry, one year of Physics, one year of Organic Chemistry and one semester of Calculus. Medical schools also expect a broad background in the liberal arts such as is provided by Biola ʼ s program in general education. In addition, Biola ʼ s biblical and theological studies requirement and its integration of a biblical perspective in all courses equips the prospective Christian health professional in mind and character to impact the world for Jesus Christ. A Pre-Medical Advisory Committee helps prepare students for the rigorous application process. In particular, the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee assists with preparation for medical school interviews, as well as generating a committee letter of recommendation. Information about the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is available from The Biola Office of Health Profession Advising. For further information, please consult with either the Department of Biological Science or the Department of Chemistry, Physics & Engineering. Pre-Dentistry Preparation for entrance into dental school is similar to preparation for medical school. Students should contact the dental schools of their choice for specific entrance requirements. Information on the American Dental Association Dental Admission Test can be obtained from The Biola Office of Health Professions Advising. Pre-Chiropractic Biola ʼ s Pre–Chiropractic Program is a 3 + 1 ½ cooperative degree completion program with the Southern California University of Health Sciences. The student attends Biola for three years and then applies to SCU and enters their program. After taking the required
courses in the first 1 ½ years Biola grants a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology. Upon the completion of the entire program, the student receives a Doctor of Chiropractic from the Southern California University of Health Sciences ʼ (SCU) Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC). The needs of society for health care practitioners are changing. Doctors of Chiropractic are providing legitimate, alternative treatment strategies to clients both directly and through HMO ʼ s. Chiropractic medicine has long been known to have a holistic emphasis. Biola provides a context in which to prepare a thoroughly educated Doctor of Chiropractic whose faith is truly integrated with her or his profession. SCU is located just three miles from Biola, in Whittier, CA. It is a professional school, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council on Chiropractic Education. Pre-Physical Therapy Students interested in a career in physical therapy have the opportunity to pursue one of two program options at Biola. Both of these options are designed to meet the entrance requirements of master ʼ s degree programs in Physical Therapy. (A master ʼ s degree in Physical Therapy would be required to work in this field.) The options contain a common core of courses, but differ in the courses which complement this core. The choice between the two options depends on a student ʼ s interests, abilities and ultimate career goals. Physical therapy can be practiced in a variety of settings, from sports to schools to hospitals. The core courses common to both options include selected courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and psychology. Pre- physical therapy students typically major in kinesiology in the Department of Kinesiology, Health & Physical Education, or they major in human biology in the Department of Biological Science. Consult with either of these departments for the specific details of this program. Other Post-Graduate Health Professional Programs Many students are interested in careers in areas such as veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, medical technology, podiatry, toxicology, public health and nutrition. Entry into many of these programs does not necessarily require a B.A. / B.S. degree, but it is often advised or is the norm. Each of these areas has its own required basic science and general education courses; the student is advised to determine these from the catalogs of the schools of interest. In general, Biola offers all of the prerequisite courses necessary for gaining acceptance into these programs. Information on several of these programs is available in the Science office or on the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee bulletin board. Pre-Engineering Biola ʼ s pre-engineering program is a 3 + 2 cooperative degree completion program in which a student takes three years of classes at Biola, including the foundational science and mathematics courses of a typical engineering program. In addition, the student takes the biblical studies and general education courses to meet Biola ʼ s requirements. Biola has a formal arrangement with the University of Southern California that permits the student, if qualified, to complete the remaining two years of an engineering curriculum at USC and receive both the Bachelor of Science degree from Biola in Engineering Physics, and the Bachelor of Engineering degree from USC. Some students in this program elect to transfer to an engineering school other than USC; students interested in this option should contact the school of their choice no later than the beginning of their sophomore year. Students interested in this program should major in Engineering Physics with the Chemistry, Physics, Engineering Department.
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