Preprofessional Programs
Premedical/Predental
While any major is compatible with medicine, an emphasis on science courses is mandatory for completion of the academic prerequisites of medical and dental schools. Azusa Pacific’s Department of Biology and Chemistry offers excellent curricula for such programs. Students enjoy strong academic advising on preparatory coursework, and a great deal of personal contact with professors within the classroom and advising environments.
Students enter the premedical/predental track by application, usually not earlier than the second semester of the sophomore year. Admission to the program is based on an evaluation of academic success and realistic plans for a health career. Students who successfully complete this track have a high success rate for acceptance into medical and dental schools. The program equips students to integrate scientific, cultural, and religious views, and develops the skills and objectivity necessary for the advancement of scientific knowledge.
To assist in attaining this goal, APU provides an advisor and a premedical/predental advisory committee to assist students in course selection, monitor academic progress, provide information on medical and dental school admission policies, conduct mock interviews, and, in general, aid students in focusing their preparation for medical or dental school.
In addition, career seminars and a Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) review course (BIOL 470) led by the university premedical advisor are offered. A high MCAT score and a high grade-point average are necessary in applying to a medical school.
In addition to the General Education requirement, the following is typical of the academic prerequisites required by most medical and dental schools:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 151 & CHEM 152 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II 1 | 8 |
| CHEM 251 & CHEM 252 | Organic Chemistry: Theory I and Organic Chemistry: Theory II | 6 |
| CHEM 261 & CHEM 262 | Organic Chemistry - Lab and Organic Chemistry - Lab | 2 |
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 151 & BIOL 152 | General Biology I and General Biology II 1 | 8 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 165 & MATH 166 | Calculus I and Calculus II | 6 |
| Physics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 8-10 | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics for Life Sciences II 1 | ||
| Physics for Science and Engineering: Mechanics and Physics for Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism 1 | ||
| PHYC 145 | Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHYC 146 | Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
- 1
CHEM 151, BIOL 151, PHYC 155, and PHYC 165 meet the General Education Natural Sciences requirement.
The following courses also provide excellent preparation for medical school:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 360 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOC 270 & BIOC 370 | Biomolecular Chemistry and Biomolecular Metabolism | 8 |
| BIOL 240 | Biology of Microorganisms | 4 |
| BIOL 280 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 300 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 336 | Vertebrate Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 346 | Regional Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 350 | Mammalian Physiology | 4 |
| CHEM 300 & CHEM 310 | Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Theory and Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Laboratory | 4 |
| PSYC 110 | General Psychology 1 | 3 |
| SOC 120 | Introduction to Sociology 1 | 3 |
- 1
Meets the General Education Social Sciences requirement.
Pre-PT/OT
Physical and occupational therapy programs require the completion of prerequisite science courses. Azusa Pacific’s Department of Biology and Chemistry offers excellent curricula and faculty mentoring to complete these mandatory requirements. Students benefit from strong academic advising on preparatory coursework from a committee that includes a doctor of physical therapy as the committee chair.
Students enter the pre-PT/OT track by application while completing BIOL 251 Human Physiology. Admission to the program is based on an evaluation of academic success and realistic plans for a health career. Students in this track can anticipate a high success rate for admission to physical or occupational therapy schools as they become familiar with the physical/occupational therapy school admission process (PTCAS/OTCAS) through personalized, step-by-step advising and a mock interview with the pre-PT/OT committee. In addition, students have the opportunity to receive a committee letter in support of their physical or occupational therapy school application.
In addition to the General Education requirement, the following is typical of the academic prerequisites required by most physical and occupational therapy programs:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| General Biology I 1 | ||
| Human Anatomy | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
BIOL Elective | ||
| General Chemistry I 1 | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Physics Laboratory I | ||
| Physics Laboratory II | ||
| Physics for Life Sciences I 1 | ||
| Physics for Life Sciences II | ||
| Exercise Physiology | ||
| Psychology | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Statistics | ||
The BA in Allied Health is designed to fulfill the PT/OT graduate program requirements without any need for additional coursework.
Prelaw
Azusa Pacific University’s Department of History and Political Science offers a prelaw minor for students interested in law school. The 21-unit minor includes courses in political science, criminal law, constitutional law, and political philosophy. The department’s prelaw advisor assists prelaw students in selecting appropriate courses and in the process of identifying and applying to law schools.