header
Pre-Professional Programs
Students at the University of Missouri-St. Louis may develop pre-professional study programs from the university’s academic offerings in architecture, engineering, dentistry, journalism, law, medicine, optometry, or pharmacy.  With early and careful advising, students may develop a two-year study program in preparation for transfer into a professional program in the junior year, or they which provide strong undergraduate preparation for may select a major field of study and related area courses graduate professional study.

Students should seek pre-professional faculty advisers in their interest area early in their academic careers to ensure development of sound, comprehensive study programs which fulfill the admission requirements of the professional program to which they wish to apply.

The following g information on pre-professional study at UM-St. Louis is provided to give students minimal guidelines and assistance in planning a program.

Pre-Architecture
The Department of Art and Art History sponsors the 3+4 Program for the School of Architecture at Washington University. A student who is accepted to the School of Architecture, Washington University, at the end of the junior year may graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from UM-St. Louis after the satisfactory completion of the first year of professional school upon meeting one or more of the following conditions:
1) The student has completed all general education requirements and all requirements for the art history major and lacks only the total hours (electives) necessary for a degree. (The courses at Washington University will fulfill all remaining courses.)
2) A student who has not completed required courses for the art history degree must remedy the deficiency with courses taken at the UM-St. Louis within three years of entering the professional school. At the time of graduation, the student must remain in good standing in the professional school or have successfully graduated from professional school.
3) A student who has not completed all the courses required for the art history major may, if the art and art history department at UM-St. Louis approves, substitute up to six hours of appropriate course work from the professional school.

The requirement that 24 of the last 30 hours of course work for a degree be taken at UM-St. Louis shall be waived where necessary for students graduating under this procedure. For more information on admission requirements, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (314) 516-5501, 303 Lucas Hall.

Pre-Engineering
The Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program of the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University was established in 1993. It allows UM-St. Louis to offer complete Bachelor of Science degree programs in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering.

All three programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Students who enter the joint program take the pre-engineering half of their course work on the campus of UM-St. Louis. The remaining half of their degree programs, consisting of upper-level engineering courses and laboratories, is taken on the campus of Washington University and taught by Washington University engineering faculty members. The two campuses are separated by a driving time of about 15 minutes.

The UM-St. Louis pre-engineering program provides a solid base in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and introductory engineering subjects. Students completing the pre-engineering program will be well prepared for transferring to engineering schools throughout the United States, including UM-Columbia, UM-Rolla, Washington University, and SIU-Edwardsville, in addition to continuing their education and earning their engineering degrees at UM-St. Louis.

Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements, prospective undergraduate engineering and pre-engineering students may be required to take a mathematics placement test, given at UM-St. Louis, the semester before enrolling.

Although there is no required pattern of high-school units for admission to the undergraduate engineering or pre-engineering programs, students are urged to complete at least four units of mathematics, including units in algebra (excluding general mathematics) and trigonometry. Calculus, if available, is also strongly recommended.

The following indicates pre-engineering course work required for students planning to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering at UM-St. Louis through the joint program with Washington University.

Math
1800, Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
1900, Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
2000, Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
2020, Introduction to Differential Equations

Chemistry
1111, Introductory Chemistry I
1121, Introductory Chemistry II

Physics
2111, Physics: Mechanics and Heat
2112, Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics

Introductory Engineering

Engineering
2310, Statics
2320, Dynamics

Humanities, Social Sciences, and English Composition

English
1100, Freshman Composition

Humanities Electives (three courses)

Social Sciences Electives (three courses)

Students planning to earn a bachelor of science degree in engineering at UM-St. Louis should choose humanities and social sciences electives to meet both the UM-St. Louis general education requirements and the humanities and social sciences requirements of the Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program. In particular:
* A course in American history or government, or in Missouri history or government, must be included.
* The cultural diversity requirement must be fulfilled.
* A total of three humanities and three social science courses are required. At least one course must be at the junior level or higher, taken at a four-year institution.
Please contact the UM-St. Louis Engineering Advisor at 314-516-6800 to be sure that the required humanities and social science courses are selected.

For further Information about undergraduate engineering and pre-engineering programs at UM-St. Louis, please contact the UM-St. Louis/Washington University Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program at 228 Benton Hall, (314) 516-6800.

Pre-Journalism
Students wishing to pursue a journalism degree should review the entrance requirements of the schools they would like to attend for information on suggested pre-journalism courses of study.

Students seeking a degree from the University of Missouri must complete their junior and senior years at the School of Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia.  For admission, students must present to the UMC School of Journalism 60 acceptable credit hours that include the required courses listed below.

Required Courses
The following studies are required for admission to the School of Journalism:

English Composition: English 1100-Freshman Composition, 3 hours, grade of B or higher.  If a grade of C is received, the student must pass the Missouri College English Test (MCET) on the UMC campus.  Advanced Placement (AP) English Composition credit or International Baccalaureate test credit will be accepted for incoming freshmen admitted to UMC fall semester 2002 and after.

Math: Students must complete College Algebra with a grade C- range or higher, or have a minimum ACT math score of 26 or a minimum SAT score of 600.

Foreign Languages:  Four years of high school work in one foreign language or 12-13 hours of college work in one foreign language.

Biological, Mathematical, Physical Science: Math 1310 – Elementary Statistics (C- range grade) plus six hours from biological anthropology, biology, chemistry, astronomy, geology, physics, above college algebra level math or computer science.* One course must include a lab.  Please note: College Algebra is the prerequisite course for statistics at UMC and UM-St. Louis.

* Computer Science 1250 – Introduction to Computing.

Social Science: Twelve hours are required to include  American History or American Government/Introduction to Political Science; Microeconomics, three hours in a   behavioral science (anthropology, but not Anthropology 1005, psychology or sociology); and three hours in economics, history, or political science.  Please note: Pre-strategic communications majors must complete both microeconomics and macroeconomics.

Humanistic Studies: Nine hours are required to include three hours in American or British literature, plus two courses from any of the following areas: history or appreciation of art or music, humanities, philosophy, religious studies, non-U.S. civilization or classical studies, history or appreciation of communication, film or theatre.

In addition, word processing skills are required (40 words per minute). A minimum TOEFL score of 600 is required for students whose native language is not English.

Nontransferable courses at the School of Journalism include: basic military science, basic physical education, word processing or computer applications, typing or practical arts/vocational technical education courses, photography, public relations, advertising, journalism or mass communication, orientation, professional skills, college preparatory, and no more than three hours maximum of applied music, dance, acting or studio art.

Students are required to take four journalism courses (minimum C- range grades) at UMC prior to admission to the school:  J1010 – Careers in Journalism, J1100 – Principle American Journalism, J2100 – News, and J2000 – Cross Culture Journalism.  The English composition requirement must be satisfied prior to enrollment in J2000 and J2100.  Completion of 15 hours and a minimum 2.75 GPA are required for J1100.  A minimum 2.8 GPA is required for J2100 and J2000.

The School computes the grade point average for transfer students based on courses accepted toward admission until a Mizzou GPA is established.  The School uses the Mizzou GPA for enrollment in the preliminary journalism courses and for acceptance to the sequences.

Admission is by emphasis area.  Emphasis areas are Convergence Journalism, Magazine Journalism, Newspaper Journalism, Radio-TV Journalism, Strategic Communications and Photojournalism.

The School accepts credit through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP – subject exams only), Advanced Placement Program (AP), and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.  Regulations apply.

Credit should be referred for review;
Please send official transcripts to:
Admissions, 230 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211.

For advisement and information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, 314-516-5501.

Pre-Law
Students planning to attend law school must pursue an undergraduate degree of their choice. There is no such thing as a pre-law major. Law schools encourage students to pursue a course of study that includes a broad liberal arts background. The pre-law advisor will assist students in choosing courses that will enhance their analytical and writing skills.

English language and literature courses are virtually indispensable. An awareness of the institutional processes of government obtained through study in political science is needed. Since law is inseparable from historical experience, an acquaintance with American history is important. Students should acquire a knowledge of macro- and microeconomics. Statistics, accounting, and computer science are valuable in understanding special legal subjects and the practice of law. Other recommended courses include formal logic, general psychology, into sociology, ethics, theories of justice, and courses that promote cultural awareness.

The University of Missouri has law schools at Columbia and Kansas City. University of Missouri-St. Louis students may seek assistance in planning an undergraduate program, preparing for the LSAT, and applying to law school in the office of the pre-law adviser. Students should contact the pre-law adviser through the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, (314) 516-5501, early in their undergraduate studies.

Pre-Health Sciences
Students wishing to enter medical, dental, optometry, or veterinary medicine schools should pursue B.A. or B.S. degrees with majors in the disciplines of their choice, but  should take whatever additional courses may be necessary as prerequisites for admission to the professional school.

Since admission requirements vary, students are urged to consult the catalogs of the schools to which they intend to apply. Updated information may be found in:

Medical School Admission Requirements (United States and Canada)**
Phone: 1-202-828-0416; Website: www.aamc.org
American Dental Education Association Official Guide to Dental Schools
Phone: 1-202-289-7201; Website: www.adea.org/student-applicant/default.htm
Schools and Colleges of Optometry Admission Requirements
Phone: 1-301-231-5944; Website: www.opted.org     
Pharmacy School Admission Requirements
Phone: 1-703-739-2330; Website: www.aacp.org
Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the United States and Canada
Phone: 1-202-371-9195; Website: www.aavmc.org/
**A copy of the MSAR is also available at the reference desk of the Thomas Jefferson Library.

Suggested Courses (Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Vet)
Many medical schools recommend the following undergraduate courses:

Biology: Biology 1811, Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms; Biology 1821, Introductory Biology:  Organisms and the Environment; Biology 2012, Genetics; and additional courses in molecular and/or cell biology.

Chemistry: Chemistry 1111, Introductory Chemistry I; Chemistry 1121, Introductory Chemistry II; Chemistry 2612, Organic Chemistry I; 2622, Organic Chemistry II; Chemistry 2633, Organic Chemistry Lab; and additional courses in organic chemistry and quantitative analysis. (Biochemistry is recommended.)

Mathematics: Students should take courses at least through calculus, as appropriate for the major degree,  Math 1800, Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (biology, chemistry or physics majors), or Math 1100, Basic Calculus (biology majors). Consult with the Pre-Health Sciences advisor to determine the appropriate course(s).

Physics: 8 credit hours or as appropriate for the degree chosen, Physics 1011 & 1012-Basic Physics (biology majors), OR Physics 2111, Physics: Mechanics and Heat and Physics 2112, Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Optics (chemistry or physics majors). Consult with the Pre-Health and Sciences advisor.

Successful completion of these recommended courses also helps students prepare for required standardized exams.
Since students are not confirmed for admission to professional schools until the science requirements for admission are fulfilled, students should meet the science requirements before the end of the junior year. To complete these requirements in time, Chemistry 1111 and 1112, Introductory Chemistry I and II should be taken during the freshman year.

Students also should take the required national standardized examination before or during the junior year as is appropriate for the exam:  The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for pre-med students; the Medical College Admission Test or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for pre-vet students; the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) for pre-dental students; the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) for pre-optometry students; and the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), (if required) for pre-pharmacy students. (Note: pre-vet students should consult with their intended veterinary colleges for appropriate test information.)

Each year the number of applicants to health profession schools exceeds the number of available places. Students, therefore, are encouraged to have alternative plans should they not gain entrance.  Nursing, laboratory technology, and allied health may be considered as alternative fields.

For more information, testing dates, or pre-health science advising, contact the pre-health professions adviser through the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, (314) 516-5501.

Pre-Optometry
The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a four-year program of study leading to the doctor of optometry degree; this professional degree is administered by the College of Optometry. It is one of only 16 schools of optometry in the United States and the only one in the state of Missouri.

Because the University offers the doctor of optometry degree, it is an ideal institution for pre-optometry education. There are three distinct programs available to UM-St. Louis pre-optometry students:

The Department of Biology and the Department of Physics and Astronomy sponsor 3+4 Programs for the UM-St. Louis College of Optometry.  In these programs, a student may be admitted to the College of Optometry after completing three years (90 semester hours) of study in their respective majors and successful completion of the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).
Note: Math 1800, Analytical Geometry and Calculus I must be taken in the first semester.  The undergraduate degree is granted when the student satisfactorily completes the first year of the professional program. One or more of the following conditions must be met in order to qualify for the undergraduate degree. 1) All general education requirements and all requirements for the biology or physics major, except electives, must be completed. 2) Any deficiency in required courses must be remedied with courses taken at UM-St. Louis within three years after entering the College of Optometry. 3) Up to 6 hours from the College of Optometry may be substituted for undergraduate degree in Biology with approval of the Department of Biology. For more information, contact the Department of Biology, (314) 516-6200. 4) 12 hours in Optometry are required to complete the B.S. in Physics degree.  For more information, call the Department of Physics and Astronomy at (314) 516-5931.

The Pierre Laclede Honors College and the College of Optometry offer the Scholars Program; this program allows a student to complete both the undergraduate and doctor of optometry degrees in seven years. To qualify for this program, a student must be a senior in high school; scored a minimum composite of 27 on the ACT; and be accepted to the UM-St. Louis Pierre Laclede Honors College program. For more information about the Scholars Program, contact the Pierre Laclede Honors College, (314) 516-6870.

For more information on admission requirements for the College of Optometry, please refer to the Optometry section of this Bulletin.

Pre-Pharmacy
In general, a pharmacy program may consist of 1-3 years of pre-professional study followed by 4-5 years in a professional program.  Some institutions, however, offer the entire program at the pharmacy college or school.  Since entrance requirements vary, students should consult the catalog and/or web site of the college or school to which they want to apply. Missouri has two pharmacy schools: St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy.  Beginning Fall 2005, the metropolitan area also includes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy.  Internet links for these and other pharmacy programs in the United States, Canada and abroad can be found at the web site for the American Association of Pharmacy Colleges, www.aacp.org.

Before taking any courses for pre-pharmacy, UM-St. Louis students should contact the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, for pre-pharmacy information.  It is important that students take the correct courses for the pharmacy programs they are seeking.  Generally, science admission requirements may include some or all of the courses listed below (and possibly other courses):

Bio 1811, Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms
Bio 1821, Introductory Biology: Organisms and the Environment
Bio 1131, Human Physiology and Anatomy I
Bio 1141, Human Physiology and Anatomy II
Chem 1111, Introductory to Chemistry I
Chem 1121, Introductory to Chemistry II
Chem 2612, Organic Chemistry I
Chem 2622, Organic Chemistry II
Chem 2633, Organic chemistry Laboratory
Math 1800, Analytical Geometry and Calculus I
Phys 1011, Basic Physics
Phys 1012, Basic Physics

Usually, pre-pharmacy requirements also include courses in English composition, humanities, social and behavioral sciences. The specific pharmacy school or college determines these requirements.  In addition, many pharmacy institutions require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Detailed information about the PCAT is available online at www.pcatweb.info. For additional information about application deadlines and procedures, gpa requirements, and letters of recommendation, students should consult the catalogs and/or web sites for the programs they intend to apply.

Pre-Pharmacy advising and information is available through the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, 314-516-5501.