Pre-Professional

Areas of Study

Student sitting on desk looking at laptop

What's a 'Pre-Professional' program?
The advising offered by the Pre-Professional program is specifically designed as a springboard to the next step in your academic career. For many students who are interested in a career in health care, you already know that your academic path will be different than many of your peers.
Our programs are structured in a way that you build the foundation specific to your chosen path, while also building a broad-based understanding of the arts, social issues, and business. Let us help you embark on one of the greatest adventures of your life - your professional career.
Overview
The Pre-Professional Program at Millikin University welcomes new students to join our community of learners. We will help you prepare for a post-graduate degree and a career in the health care. Personal contact with the Director of the Pre-Professional Program as well as admission exam preparation, interview preparation, and personal application aid, distinguish our program from others. This is an advising program, not a major. The program director works with each student individually to prepare for professional success beyond Millikin.
Please use this website as a resource and see our FAQs, timelines, and resources for more information. The department also welcomes your questions. For the most efficient response, please use our contact form or set up a personal meeting with the director through the Admissions Office. The director will be delighted to meet with you and your family to explain the program in detail and answer your questions.
Mission
The Pre-Professional Program complements the Millikin's mission statement. The director of the program provides guidance and advice to help you achieve your academic and professional goals in a global environment. You will be encouraged to acquire a broad education in the humanities and sciences, to strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills and to become a competitive candidate for post graduate programs in professional schools, ultimately leading to a career in health care.
The program at Millikin is highly individualized. Each person in the program is treated with honesty and respect. There are many pathways that students can travel to achieve success and the program will facilitate that journey.

Undergraduate Programs

Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant

An Anesthesiologist Assistant is a skilled healthcare professional working alongside anesthesiologists, specializing in administering anesthesia, monitoring patients, and managing perioperative care.
Pre-Chiropractic

Although professional schools vary in their philosophies and requirements for admission, they all emphasize the importance of a diverse education.
Pre-Dentistry

Prospective dental students should plan an academic program with an emphasis on science, including chemistry, biology, physics and math with at least four years of college-level pre-dental education. All dental schools approved by the American Dental Association require applicants to pass a Dental Admission Test (usually one year prior to entry into professional school).
Pre-Medicine

Men and women who want to be medical doctors must have a desire to serve patients, be self-motivated and be able to survive the day-to-day pressures and long hours of study. Physicians also must be willing to learn throughout their career to keep up with advances in medicine.
Pre-Occupational Therapy

Students in occupational therapy who plan to begin clinical work after three years at Millikin must complete a minimum of 92 credits while at Millikin, including 24 credits in the major and 24 credits in upper-division courses.
Pre-Optometry

The four-year optometry school program is preceded by at least three years of study at an accredited college or university and most students have a bachelor's degree. There are 17 accredited U.S. schools of optometry. Acceptance is dependent upon undergraduate performance, Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores, letters of evaluation, interview results and successful completion of all entrance requirements.
Pre-Pharmacy

If you have a sincere interest in people and health, you may consider pharmacy as a career. Modern pharmacy offers outstanding opportunities for professional service and personal achievement.
Pre-Physical Therapy

Millikin's pre-physical therapy program prepares students for the physical therapy clinical work that they will complete elsewhere. Most clinical programs require that the student earn the bachelor's degree before transferring to a master's degree program in physical or occupational therapy.
Pre-Physician Assistant

The physician assistant (PA) practices medicine under the supervision of licensed D.O.s or M.D.s, providing various health services. PAs come into direct contact with patients on a continuing basis, often as the initial patient contact, and they deal with all kinds of people.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians care for livestock, pets, sporting and laboratory animals. They prevent the outbreak and spread of animal diseases and perform autopsies on diseased animals. Veterinarians must be good decision makers, have keen powers of observation, good manual dexterity, and skills with both animals and people.