Pre-Health Professions

Diana L. Flanagan, Executive Director, Center for Pre-Health Professions
ACU Box 27868
Abilene, Texas 79699-7868
Halbert-Walling Research Center, Room 109
Phone: 325-674-2749
Email: dlf09b@acu.edu
Web: https://acu.edu/pre-health/

Faculty

The faculty of the Department of Biology and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry serve as the faculty for the biomedical sciences degree programs and university faculty serve as faculty for the Health Humanities minor.

Introduction

The Pre-Health Professions area supports pre-health students in their preparation for careers as healthcare professionals by enhancing students’ intellectual development and training students for Christian service and leadership. The Center for Pre-Health Professions works with the Departments of Biology and Chemistry and Biochemistry to offer a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Sciences with specific career tracks and offers a Health Humanities minor that may be added to any major.

Biomedical Sciences

The Biomedical Sciences majors are interdepartmental programs shared by the Department of Biology, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Center for Pre-Health Professions. The programs create defined pathways for students to pursue their chosen career paths. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are both available, each with a variety of career-focused concentrations.

Since individual health professional schools (in-state and out-of-state) may require or recommend additional courses, and prerequisites may change at any time, it is highly recommended that pre-health students meet with their pre-health faculty advisor and visit health profession school websites that they are interested in to ensure all requirements are met. Competitive applicants to health profession programs will have GPAs that significantly exceed the minimum GPA requirements to earn an ACU undergraduate degree.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biomedical Sciences

This degree program’s focus is in areas essential to the science of human health and society and will prepare students for some health professions graduate programs and professional careers in the healthcare industry. Concentrations incorporate the minimum prerequisite coursework and are available in Pre-PA, Pre-Pharmacy, and General Biomedical Science.

The mission of the B.A. in Biomedical Sciences program is to provide students with a comprehensive background in the sciences, preparing them for successful careers in healthcare and related fields.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biomedical Sciences

This degree’s focus is in areas essential to the science of human health and will prepare students for graduate programs in biomedical research, health professions schools, and professional careers in the healthcare industry. Integrated into the degree program are required and recommended courses for various health professions career pathways. Concentrations are available in the following areas: Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-PA, Pre-Pharmacy/Optometry, and Pre-Vet.

The mission of the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences program is to provide students with a comprehensive background in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, preparing them for successful careers in healthcare, research, and related fields.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the location. Biomedical Sciences students should meet with their pre-health faculty advisors and their academic advisors during their first year at ACU to proactively plan for their desired study abroad experiences.

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to the biomedical sciences program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

Health Humanities Minor

Diana Flanagan, Executive Director, Center for Pre-Health Professions
ACU Box 27868
Abilene, Texas 79699-7868
Halbert-Walling Research Center, Room 107/109
Phone: 325-674-2749
Email: dlf09b@acu.edu

The Health Humanities Minor is an interdisciplinary minor that explores human variability, societal differences, ethical issues, and philosophical thought. This minor complements many majors at ACU and is designed to enhance a student’s perspective and aptitude for critical-thinking. It offers a defined curriculum that will help build social and professional skills particularly important to health-related career paths.

In addition to performance in prerequisite coursework, many health profession programs evaluate applicants on non-cognitive skills such as communication efficacy, empathy, cultural competency, and ethical responsibility. For this reason, the minor may enhance a student’s academic preparation for application to graduate health profession programs through courses that cultivate these competencies.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Health Humanities Minor (HHUM)

Courses

Pre-Health Professions