Partnerships & Preparation for Careers in Engineering, Law, & Health Related Fields
Georgian Court University seeks to prepare its students for professional occupations as well as for a myriad of graduate programs. Students with interests that fall into the category of pre-professional programs, including pre-chiropractic, engineering, law, medicine, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, or physician assistant should make their interests known to their academic advisor. Students can then tailor their program to meet their needs and work with their advisor to ensure that they fulfill all entrance requirements for the professional school program. As is true of most institutions, Georgian Court does not offer majors called pre-engineering, pre-law, pre-medicine, etc. However, the majors Georgian Court offers provide excellent preparation for careers in chiropractic, engineering, law, medicine, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistant. Georgian Court graduates are routinely accepted into graduate programs in these fields.
Pre-Chiropractic (including Northeast College of Health Sciences partnership)
To prepare for admission to a chiropractic college, you can major in any field. Although admission requirements vary among chiropractic colleges, most include completion of at least 90 undergraduate credits, including 24 or more in life or physical sciences, with at least half of the courses including both a lecture and a lab component, grades of at least C or higher in each, and an overall GPA of at least 3.0. The life and physical sciences include biochemistry, biology, chemistry, exercise science, and physics. Students should also take courses in the humanities and social sciences, such as those required by GCU's General Education program. A bachelor's degree is often not required for admission to chiropractic college.
Georgian Court University has a partnership program with Northeast College in Seneca Falls, New York that offers two options for students majoring in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, exercise science, or health sciences: A 4+3 program, or a 3+3 program. In the 3+3 program, students can earn both the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Arts (B.A.) and a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) degrees in as little as 6.33 years after graduation from high school. Eligible students may spend the first three years at GCU and then matriculate to Northeast College for the 10 trimesters (3.33 years) of the D.C. program. Upon successful completion of all bachelor's degree requirements while matriculated at Northeast, students will then receive the bachelor’s degree from GCU. The D.C. degree from Northeast will be awarded after successful completion of all degree requirements in the professional curriculum of the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Northeast. In the 4+3 option, instead of entering Northeast after three years at GCU, students enter Northeast after completing their bachelor's degree at GCU, but should still follow the curriculum and application process. In either case, students who meet the admissions requirements for Northeast and have a sufficiently high undergraduate GPA will automatically be awarded a Northeast merit scholarship. Students should submit a letter of intent to Northeast College of Health Sciences admissions as early as their first year at GCU, and must apply for admission to Northeast one year in advance of their desired entrance date and complete all Northeast application requirements.
Pre-Engineering
Georgian Court encourages students planning to obtain a master’s degree in some area of engineering to consider a major in science or mathematics. Engineering disciplines include aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, industrial, internet, mechanical, nuclear, and pharmaceutical. Majors that provide a good background for a career in engineering include biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Principles encountered in master’s level engineering programs incorporate the scientific and mathematical concepts taught in courses in these major fields. An internship or other work experience in an engineering field will enhance a student’s application to an engineering program.
Pre-Law
Georgian Court encourages students who wish to apply to law school to pursue a major in their area of interest. The Pre-Law Committee of the American Bar Association does not recommend any particular major but encourages applicants to prepare themselves by developing analytic and problem-solving skills, critical reading abilities, writing skills, oral communication and listening abilities, general research skills, task organization and management skills, and the values of collaboration, serving the interests of others, and promoting justice (http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/pre_law/). The ABA also recommends entering with broad understandings of history, political thought, social interaction, and cultural diversity as well as basic mathematical and financial skills. Georgian Court’s general education courses in ethics, history, philosophy, quantitative analysis, social science, and writing (among other courses) develop many of these skills and values. An internship, public service, or work experience in law will also enhance a student’s application to law school. Curricular paths that are appropriate for students interested in a career in law include the Political Science major; the Politics, Law, and History minor (see Interdisciplinary Minors); and the Criminal Justice minor (see School of Arts & Sciences).
Pre-Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Medicine
Students seeking a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or a related field may choose a major in any discipline. Required courses for admission to medical school vary from school to school but typically include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English Composition | ||
| EN111 | Academic Writing and Research I 1 | 3.0 |
| or EN221 | Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research | |
| Other English composition or literature | 3.0 | |
| Pre-calculus | ||
| MA110 | Precalculus | 3.0 |
| Calculus 2 | ||
| MA115 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
| Biology | ||
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4.0 |
| Physics | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8.0 | |
| College Physics I and College Physics II | ||
| University Physics I and University Physics II | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| Organic Chemistry | ||
| CH223 | Organic Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH224 | Organic Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| Biochemistry | ||
| BI437/CH311 | Biochemistry I | 4.0 |
| Behavioral Sciences & Humanities | ||
| One or two semesters | ||
- 1
And/or other English courses
- 2
And/or statistics (MA103 Introduction to Statistical Thinking, BI203 Experimental Design & Statistics)
One year of human anatomy and physiology (BI213 Human Anatomy & Physiology I, BI214 Human Anatomy & Physiology II) is likely to be helpful or expected. Students are unlikely to be admitted to medical school unless they have worked in paid or non-paid positions in a relevant medical field prior to applying to the school of their choice. All students pursuing a career in a medically related field are advised to develop a strong background, major or minor in the social sciences (especially psychology, sociology and social work) to gain “patient-relationship skills.” It is particularly important for students interested in psychiatry to complete extensive coursework in psychology. Students should consult with a pre-med advisor for further information about med school requirements and preparation.
GCU’s B.S. in Biology and B.S. in Health Sciences majors both offer a Pre-Medical Track. GCU’s B.S. in Health Sciences major offers a Pre-Dental Track.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
GCU’s B.A. in Health Profession Studies and B.S. in Exercise Science, Wellness, and Sports majors both offer a Pre-Occupational Therapy Track.
Seven-Year Bachelor’s Degree Plus M.D. or D.V.M. Degree Program with Saint George’s University
Saint George’s University Limited (SGU) and Georgian Court University (GCU) offer qualified students the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine or veterinary medicine at St. George’s University in Grenada, following successful completion of three years of pre-medicine or pre-veterinary medicine coursework at GCU, allowing the students to obtain the B.A. or B.S./M.D. or B.A. or B.S./D.V.M. degree.
After successfully completing three (3) years of undergraduate study at GCU, including 90 credits comprising all the requirements for graduation in the major with the exception of general elective credits and credits in the major field that the GCU faculty in that major field will allow to be transferred from SGU, qualified students who meet the standards of admission at SGU will proceed to Grenada and enter the first year of the SGU School of Medicine or SGU School of Veterinary Medicine.
Upon successful completion of the first year of medicine or veterinary medicine at SGU, qualified students who began their course of study at GCU and who have earned a C or higher in at least 30 credits of coursework at SGU will have fulfilled the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from Georgian Court University. Qualified students who meet the standards of promotion at SGU will then be eligible to complete the remaining three (3) years of study at SGU, leading to the M.D. or D.V.M. degree.
The qualified medical students will then be eligible to complete the first two (2) years of medical study in Grenada, and the final two (2) years of this combined program in clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the United States and/or the United Kingdom. Qualified veterinary students will be eligible to complete the first three (3) years of veterinary study in Grenada and their final clinical year at affiliated veterinary schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or Ireland.
For more details about this program, contact the GCU Office of Admissions. Students may also enter Saint George's University after earning the bachelor's degree at GCU.
Pre-Pharmacy (including University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut) Partnership)
Unlike most medical or veterinary schools, many pharmacy schools do not require completion of a bachelor’s degree prior to entry into the program. In many pharmacy programs, the students complete two to three years of pre-pharmacy study (typically 60–90 credits) and then enter the pharmacy program. Pharmacy school admission requirements vary. The most common requirements for admission include the following GCU courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| BI219 | Microbiology | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following statistics courses: | 3.0 | |
| Experimental Design & Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking | ||
| Social and Crime Statistics | ||
| Rsrch Mthds & Stats for the Beh Sciences | ||
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| CH223 | Organic Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH224 | Organic Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| MA115 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
| MA116 | Calculus II | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8.0 | |
| College Physics I and College Physics II | ||
| University Physics I and University Physics II | ||
| EN111 | Academic Writing and Research I | 3.0 |
| or EN221 | Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research | |
| Additional writing or literature course | 3.0 | |
| Select one of the following economics courses: | 3.0 | |
| Contemporary Economics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3.0 |
| or PS113 | Foundations of Psychology | |
| General courses in sociology, philosophy, the arts, and religious studies | ||
Visit http://aacp.org, select Resources, click on the Student Center section and then click on the links to requirements for specific pharmacy schools. Students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree at Georgian Court University and then go to a pharmacy school may wish to pursue a major in biology, biochemistry or chemistry. Georgian Court University offers courses that satisfy the admission requirements for almost all schools of pharmacy. An internship or other work experience in a pharmacy-related field will enhance a student’s application to a pharmacy program.
Georgian Court University also has a special dual-degree program with the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Hartford, Connecticut. Students can earn both the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Arts (B.A.) and the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees in as little as six years after graduation from high school. Eligible students may spend the first three years at GCU and then matriculate to USJ for the three calendar years of the professional phase of the Pharm.D. program. Upon successful completion of all requirements for GCU’s B.S. in Biochemistry, B.S. in Biology, or B.A. or B.S. in Chemistry degree while matriculated at USJ, students will then receive the bachelor’s degree from GCU. The Pharm.D. degree from the USJ will be awarded after successful completion of all degree requirements in the professional curriculum of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at USJ. Specific prerequisites for the University of Saint Joseph Pharm.D. program are located on the University of Saint Joseph website, but as of spring 2023 are: Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BI213 Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BI214 Human Anatomy & Physiology II), Microbiology (BI219 Microbiology), General Chemistry I and II (CH113 General Chemistry I and CH114 General Chemistry II), Organic Chemistry I and II (CH223 Organic Chemistry I and CH224 Organic Chemistry II), Physics (PH111 Physics in Everyday Life I, PH112 Physics in Everyday Life II, or PH115 College Physics I), Calculus (MA115 Calculus I), Statistics (MA103 Introduction to Statistical Thinking or other GCU courses), English Composition (EN111 Academic Writing and Research I or EN221 Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research). GCU offers all the prerequisite courses. The University of Saint Joseph has agreed to admit up to two GCU students into each year’s Pharm.D. class, provided the students have completed the first three years in the dual-degree program, met USJ admissions requirements, are otherwise competitive with other applicants competing for admission to the Pharm.D. program, and apply to USJ through the GCU partnership agreement no later than October 15. For more information, contact your academic advisor or Dr. Michael Gross. Instead of entering USJ after three years at GCU, students may, of course, also enter USJ after completing their bachelor's degree at GCU, but should still follow the curriculum and application process outlined above.
Pre-Physical Therapy (including Saint Joseph's University partnership)
Most Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) programs require completion of the bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment in what is usually a three-year D.P.T. program, although some programs have 3+3 arrangements in which a student takes three years of bachelor’s level coursework before entering the D.P.T. program. Requirements vary from institution to institution, but typical requirements for admission include the following GCU courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following statistics courses: | 3.0 | |
| Experimental Design & Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking | ||
| Social and Crime Statistics | ||
| Rsrch Mthds & Stats for the Beh Sciences | ||
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| MA115 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
| MA116 | Calculus II | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8.0 | |
| College Physics I and College Physics II | ||
| University Physics I and University Physics II | ||
| EN111 | Academic Writing and Research I | 3.0 |
| or EN221 | Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research | |
| Additional writing or literature course | 3.0 | |
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3.0 |
| or PS113 | Foundations of Psychology | |
| PS221 | Child & Adolescent Development | 3.0 |
| or PS224 | Adult Development | |
Visit https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/becoming-a-pt to learn about careers and requirements of specific D.P.T. programs. Students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree at Georgian Court University and then go in to a physical therapy program may wish to pursue a major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or exercise science. Georgian Court University offers courses that satisfy the admission requirements for almost all doctor of physical therapy programs. An internship or other work experience in a physical therapy-related field will enhance a student’s application to a physical therapy program.
In addition, Georgian Court University has a special dual degree program with Saint Joseph's University (SJU) in Philadelphia. Students can earn both the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Arts (B.A.) and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degrees in as little as six years after graduation from high school. Eligible students may spend the first three years at GCU and then matriculate to SJU for the three professional years of the D.P.T. program. Upon successful completion of all requirements for GCU’s B.S. in Biochemistry, B.A. or B.S. in Biology, B.S. in Exercise Science, B.A. or B.S. in Chemistry, or B.S. in Health Sciences degree while matriculated at SJU, students will then receive the bachelor’s degree from GCU. The D.P.T. degree from SJU will be awarded after successful completion of all degree requirements in the professional curriculum of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at SJU. Specific GCU courses that are prerequisites for the SJU D.P.T. program are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI203 | Experimental Design & Statistics | 3.0 |
| or MA103 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking | |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0-4.0 | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| PH115 & PH116 | College Physics I and College Physics II | 8.0 |
| Psychology (Introduction, Cognitive, Developmental or Abnormal). Select two from among: | 6.0 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
or PS113 | Foundations of Psychology | |
| Child & Adolescent Development | ||
or PS224 | Adult Development | |
or PS227 | Lifespan Development | |
| Psychopathology | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Additional Social Sciences (anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, or sociology) | 6.0 | |
| EN111 | Academic Writing and Research I | 3.0 |
| or EN221 | Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research | |
| Additional English course above EN111 | 3.0 | |
| HRP200 | Medical Terminology (If a student has not completed this course at the time of acceptance, they can opt to complete an online proficiency course prior to the start of the program in May.) | 3.0 |
Saint Joseph's University has agreed to admit up to two GCU students into each year’s D.P.T. class, provided the students meet SJU admissions requirements and declare their intent to apply to SJU through the GCU partnership agreement no later than one year prior to the summer start date of the D.P.T. program at SJU. For more information, contact your academic advisor or Dr. Michael Gross. Instead of entering SJU after three years at GCU, students may, of course, also enter SJU after completing their bachelor's degree at GCU, but should still follow the curriculum and application process outlined above.
GCU’s B.S. in Exercise Science, Wellness, and Sports major offers a Pre-Physical Therapy Track.
Pre-Physician Assistant
GCU’s B.S. in Exercise Science, Wellness, and Sports and B.S. in Health Sciences majors both offer a Pre-Physician Assistant Track.