Preparation for Post-Baccalaureate Studies, the Professions, and Allied Health Fields

The methods of acquiring knowledge that students develop in the baccalaureate program are as important as the specific knowledge and skills that may lead to a particular credential. Prospective students in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences may wish to consider the following possibilities:

Dentistry, Medicine, Osteopathy, and Veterinary Science.  Students who intend to pursue post-baccalaureate study in dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, or veterinary science often choose either biology (BS degree), biochemistry or chemistry as their undergraduate major. These majors provide the basic courses needed in preparation for entrance tests for post-baccalaureate study. A pre-professional advisory committee counsels students who wish to pursue one of these professional fields.

Graduate Study in Arts and Sciences.  Completion of a program in a given discipline with a strong quality point average will generally satisfy the requirements for graduate study in that subject. Departments will give specific guidance in such matters. Ability to communicate in written and spoken English is particularly important. A reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages is often required for advanced degrees. Statistics and computer/ information science are also increasingly important to the scholar in many areas. Advanced degrees include the master of arts (MA), the master of science (MS), the master of fine arts (MFA), and the doctorate (PhD).

Graduate Study in Business.  While precise degree requirements depend on the program chosen, most students with three to eight credits in economics, statistics, marketing, accounting, business law, mathematics, and computer and information sciences will be able to complete an MBA with approximately one full year's work. Some of these subjects may be taken as part of the distribution of major requirements for the BA or BS, while those given in the Lubin School of Business may be taken as electives. Students interested in foreign languages should be particularly aware of expanding opportunities in international business.

Graduate Study in Law.  Law schools generally do not prescribe any particular undergraduate major. However, undergraduates should acquire proficiency in written and spoken English, develop the ability to master large quantities of material, rapidly sharpen powers of logical analysis, and increase their capacity for independent work.