Pre-Medical Science Programs

• Pre-Chiropractic Medicine*
• Pre-Dentistry
• Pre-Medicine (Allopath/Osteopath)
• Pre-Occupational Therapy*
• Pre-Optometry
• Pre-Pharmacy
• Pre-Physician Assisting
• Pre-Podiatry
• Pre-Public Health
• Pre-Speech Pathology/Audiology
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine

A program in Pre-Medical Science consists of a combination of the Pre-Medical Science core courses AND the courses required for any other official university major. The Pre-Medical Science program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and is designed to prepare the student for application to non-nursing health professional schools. Some professional schools may require additional coursework and/or observation experiences. Therefore, it is imperative that the students obtain the appropriate prerequisite requirements and related information from potential professional schools in a timely manner to allow them to work with their advisors to include these in their schedule. Also important to understand is that some types of professional schools (e.g. occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and public health schools) do not require all of the pre-medical science core courses that IWU requires to meet the Pre-Med Program designation on IWU degree audits and diplomas.  However, the IWU pre-medical core meets the rigorous standards of nearly all medical, dental, and veterinary medical schools in the United States.

 * Students can pursue Pre-Chiropractic Medicine as Exercise Science or as Athletic Training majors. A formalized Pre-Occupational Therapy program is also available through the Exercise Science as well as Psychology majors at IWU. Similarly a Pre-Physical Therapy program exists in conjunction with the Exercise Science as well as Biology majors. Information regarding these Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Occupational Therapy programs is available from the Division of Health and Human Performance. Not indicated on the list of medical science programs is IWU’s Medical Technology Program. More information regarding that program is housed in the Biology Programs section.

Program Requirements

Because high academic achievement is required for admission to health professional schools, the Division of Natural Sciences has developed minimum criteria for the Pre-Med Program designation on IWU degree audits and diplomas. Upon completion of the freshman year, students interested in maintaining the Pre-Med designation must achieve a minimum Pre-Med Core course GPA of 3.2 and a cumulative GPA of 3.2, complete a prescribed essay, and interview with the Pre-Med Committee. The essay and interview are administered as part of the PMD-110 course (Preparing the Christian Health Professional, completed by the student in the spring of his or her freshman year). Students whose Pre-Med Core course or cumulative GPA drops below 3.2 are encouraged to investigate, with the help of their academic advisor, alternative career paths.  If the student does not eventually achieve the minimum Pre-Med Core course as well as the cumulative GPAs, the Residential Academic Services Office will drop the Pre-Med designation from the degree audit and diploma on graduation.

Transfer Students

Transfer students wishing to have the Pre-Med Program designation on their degree audit and diploma will need to demonstrate that they meet the GPA requirements in core courses and overall completed courses based on applicable classes at previous accredited institutions. All subsequent decisions as to retention in the Pre-Med Program will be based on IWU courses only. These students should enroll in PMD-110 at their earliest opportunity.

General Education Requirements

Students in this major meet the general education competencies by taking the approved standard courses.