Although IU Indianapolis does not offer pre-professional majors (e.g., pre-medicine, pre-dentistry), you can add a pre-professional pathway to your degree plan within the School of Science to help academic advisors and PREPs support your professional goals.
While professional schools do not require students to complete specific majors, prerequisites for most programs favor STEM (science, math, engineering, and technology) majors. In fact, some of the highest acceptance rates for law school are STEM majors.
On this page, you can find information about popular professional programs, career options, and prerequisite coursework. Schedule an appointment with a pre-professional advisor at PREPs to learn more.
Certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) are a part of the anesthesia care team, under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists, who implement anesthesia care plans.
CAAs must complete a two-year Master's degree (typically a Master of Science in Anesthesia) that prepares students to practice as an anesthesiologist assistant.
Pre-CAA students are often required to complete these courses:
Writing composition (two semesters)
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with labs (one year)
Physics with labs (one year)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Human anatomy with lab (one semester)
Human physiology with lab (one semester)
Calculus (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Dental school is a four-year degree (DDS or DMD) that prepares students to practice as a general dentist. General dentists treat all patients, adults, and children, in many different treatment facilities and settings. Dental school graduates may opt for one to four years of additional education and training (residency) to pursue a specialty.
Pre-dental students are commonly required to complete these courses:
Writing composition (two semesters)
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with labs (one year)
Physics with labs (one year)
Human anatomy with lab (one semester)
Human physiology with lab (one semester)
Microbiology (one semester)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Introductory psychology (one semester)
Genetic counselors have advanced training in medical genetics and counseling to guide and support patients seeking more information about how inherited diseases and conditions might affect them or their families, and to interpret genetic test results based on personal and family history.
Genetic counseling programs are a two-year Master's degree that provide comprehensive training and hands-on clinical experience to prepare students for a challenging and rewarding career in genetic counseling.
Pre-genetic counseling students are commonly required to complete these courses:
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with lab (one semester)
Genetics (one semester)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Introductory psychology (one semester)
Law school is a three-year degree (JD) that prepares students to practice as licensed attorneys.
Curriculum focuses heavily on reading, critical thinking and analysis, and communication. Most law schools offer experiential learning opportunities, such as clinics, internships, and externships, where students can work on legal projects under the supervision of licensed attorneys.
Pre-law students commonly complete coursework in critical thinking and analysis, writing, and social sciences.
Medical school is a four-year degree (MD or DO) that prepares students to practice as a physician.
Medical school graduates must complete residency training to be licensed to practice in their specialty. Residency programs are three to seven years depending on the specialty. Some graduates may opt for additional years of training through a fellowship.
Pre-medical students are commonly required to complete these courses:
Writing composition (two semesters)
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with labs (one year)
Physics with labs (one year)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Introductory psychology (one semester)
Introductory sociology (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Occupational therapists help people of all ages to fully engage in their daily lives, from their work and recreation to activities of daily living like getting dressed, cooking, eating, and driving.
Occupational therapy schools may offer a two-year master’s degree or a three-year doctoral degree (OTD). Both degrees prepare students to practice as an occupational therapist.
Doctoral programs offer additional semesters of study focusing on clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program, and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.
Pre-occupational therapy students often complete coursework such as:
Human anatomy with lab
Human physiology with lab
Introductory psychology
Abnormal psychology
Lifespan human development
Medical terminology
Sociology or Anthropology
Statistics
Optometrists are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye.
Optometry school graduates may opt for an additional year of training through a residency designed to advance significantly their preparation as a provider of patient care services beyond entry level practice.
Pre-optometry students often need to complete coursework including:
Writing composition (two semesters)
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with lab (one semester)
Physics with labs (one year)
Microbiology with lab (one semester)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Calculus (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Introductory psychology (one semester)
Pharmacists are medication experts and play a critical role in helping people get the best results from their medications by preparing and dispensing prescriptions, ensuring medicines, and doses are correct, preventing harmful drug interactions, and counseling patients on the safe and appropriate use of their medications.
Pharmacy school is a four-year degree (PharmD) that prepares students to practice as a pharmacist. Pharmacy school graduates may opt for one to two years of additional education and training (residency) to pursue a specialty.
Pre-pharmacy students are commonly required to complete coursework including:
Writing composition (two semesters)
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with labs (one year)
Physics with lab (one semester)
Upper-level biology (one semester)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Microbiology with lab (one semester)
Human anatomy with lab (one semester)
Human physiology with lab (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Calculus (one semester)
Speech Communication (one semester)
Social/Behavioral Sciences (one semester)
Economics (one semester)
Physical therapy school is a three-year degree (DPT) that prepares students to practice as a physical therapist.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
Physical therapy school graduates may opt for additional education and training through a residency, which may last nine months to three years depending on the specialty.
Pre-PT students are commonly required to complete these courses:
General biology with lab (one semester)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Physics with labs (one year)
Human anatomy with lab (one semester)
Human physiology with lab (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Medical terminology (one semester)
Introductory psychology (one semester)
Lifespan human development (one semester)
Physician assistants are medical providers who are licensed to diagnose and treat illness and disease and to prescribe medication for patients. They work in physician offices, hospitals, and clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician.
Physician assistant school is a two-year master’s degree that prepares students to practice as a physician assistant.
Pre-PA students are often required to complete coursework including:
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with labs (one year)
Human anatomy with lab (one semester)
Human physiology with lab (one semester)
Microbiology with lab (one semester)
Upper-level biology (one semester)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Medical terminology (one semester)
Introductory psychology (one semester)
Psychology or Sociology (one semester)
Veterinary school is a four-year degree (DVM) that prepares students to practice as a veterinarian.
Veterinary school graduates may opt to complete a one-year internship in small or large animal medicine, or surgery. They may also opt to complete a two to three year residency training to be certified in a specialty.
Pre-veterinary students are commonly required to complete these courses:
Writing composition (two semesters)
General biology with labs (one year)
General chemistry with labs (one year)
Organic chemistry with labs (one year)
Physics with labs (one year)
Genetics (one semester)
Microbiology with lab (one semester)
Biochemistry (one semester)
Statistics (one semester)
Public speaking (one semester)
Humanities or Social Sciences (three semesters)
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