Pre-Professional Studies
Pre-Professional Studies and Scholars Programs
The Office of Pre-Professional Studies, sponsored by the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, provides advice and service to students who wish to enter dental, law, medical, pharmacy or other health-related professional schools. Interested students should register with the Advising Center, Sensenbrenner Hall, Room 005.
Pre-Dentistry
Course Requirements
Although specific course requirements vary among dental schools, the common basic requirements typically include:
| Area | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Biology | 8-12 |
| English | 6 |
| General Chemistry | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physics | 8 |
All required courses in biology, chemistry and physics must include laboratory work.
Generally, dental schools require a minimum of three years (90 semester hours) of undergraduate study.
For specific requirements of particular dental schools, refer to ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools at ADEA.org.
Dental Admission Test
All candidates for dental school must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). This test is only offered online. Registration applications are available online at ada.org.
Prior to taking the DAT, students should complete at least:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1001 | General Biology 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 1002 | General Biology 2 | 3 |
| CHEM 1001 | General Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| or CHEM 1013 | General Chemistry 1 for Majors | |
| CHEM 1002 | General Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| or CHEM 1014 | General Chemistry 2 for Majors | |
| CHEM 2111 | Organic Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| or CHEM 2113 | Organic Chemistry for Majors 1 | |
| CHEM 2112 | Organic Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| or CHEM 2114 | Organic Chemistry for Majors 2 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22 | |
Completion of these courses prior to taking DAT is also recommended:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2001 | Principles of Biological Investigation | 3 |
| BIOL 3101 | Biochemistry and the Molecular Basis of Biology | 3 |
| or BISC 3213 | Biochemistry | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 | |
Most students take the DAT between June after their sophomore year and April of their junior year.
Application
Application is made through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). AADSAS applications are available online at adea.org/aadsas.
Timing of the dental school application is critical. Students need to apply 15 months before entering dental school. Most students apply in June of their junior year. Late applications significantly affect students’ chances of admission to dental school.
Pre-Dental Scholars Program
The Klingler College of Arts and Sciences participates in the Pre-Dental Scholars Program. More detailed information can be found in the Pre-Dental Scholars section of this bulletin.
Early Assurance PharmD Program
The Klingler College of Arts and Sciences participates in the Early Assurance Direct Admission and Reverse Transfer Agreement PharmD 3+3 program with the Medical College of Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy. The Early Assurance Direct Admission and Reverse Transfer Agreement PharmD 3+3 program allows students to earn dual degrees, a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, in just six years. More detailed information can be found in the Early Assurance PharmD section of this bulletin.
Pre-Law
Course Requirements
Law schools do not require specific college courses or majors. The Law School Admission Council recommends that students take rigorous and demanding courses that develop basic intellectual skills: reading, writing, and speaking, critical and logical thinking.
For information, consult the Advising Center, Sensenbrenner Hall, 005.
Law School Admission Test
Almost all law schools require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This test is offered four times a year, and should normally be taken at least one full year before entering law school.
Application
Almost all law schools require applicants to register with the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) via their website, www.lsac.org. The majority of law school applicants apply online. Although deadlines vary from school to school, it is generally advantageous to complete applications early. Application occurs within one year in advance of desired entrance.
Pre-Law Scholars Program
The Klingler College of Arts and Sciences participates in the Pre-Law Scholars Program. More detailed information can be found in the Pre-Law Scholars section of this bulletin.
Pre-Medicine
Course Requirements
Although specific course requirements vary among medical schools, the common basic requirements typically include:
| Area | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 3 |
| Biology | 8-12 |
| English | 6 |
| General Chemistry | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Physics | 8 |
All required courses in biology, chemistry and physics must include laboratory work. Many medical schools also require or prefer a course in statistics.
For requirements of specific medical schools, refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements in the “U.S. and Canadian Medical Schools” guide, which is available for purchase online at the Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) website at aamc.org. Most U.S. medical schools require a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate work and most give preference to students who finish a bachelor’s degree before entering medical school.
Medical College Admission Test
Medical schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This computer-based test is administered multiple times between January–September. Registration is online at the Association of American Medical Colleges’ website at aamc.org.
Before taking the MCAT, students should complete:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1001 | General Biology 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 1002 | General Biology 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 3101 | Biochemistry and the Molecular Basis of Biology | 3-4 |
| or BISC 3213 | Biochemistry | |
| CHEM 1001 | General Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| or CHEM 1013 | General Chemistry 1 for Majors | |
| CHEM 1002 | General Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| or CHEM 1014 | General Chemistry 2 for Majors | |
| CHEM 2111 | Organic Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| or CHEM 2113 | Organic Chemistry for Majors 1 | |
| CHEM 2112 | Organic Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| or CHEM 2114 | Organic Chemistry for Majors 2 | |
| PHYS 1001 | General Physics 1 | 4 |
| or PHYS 1003 | General Physics with Introductory Calculus 1 | |
| PHYS 1002 | General Physics 2 | 4 |
| or PHYS 1004 | General Physics with Introductory Calculus 2 | |
| PSYC 1001 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI 1001 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39-40 | |
A physiology course and BIOL 2001 Principles of Biological Investigation are also recommended for the MCAT. Most students at Marquette take the MCAT in May or June of their junior year.
Application
Application for most U.S. allopathic medical schools is made through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). More information can be found at aamc.org/amcas. Students applying to U.S. osteopathic medical schools use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). More information can be found at aacom.org.
Timing of medical school applications is critical. Students need to apply 15 months before entering medical school. Most students apply in June of their junior year. Late applications significantly affect students’ chances of admission to medical school.