Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Law Concentration (LAW)
Faculty Advisors:
Mr. Whit Waide; Office: 199 Bowen Hall
Dr. Matthew W. Little; Office: 316 Lee Hall
Most directors of law school admissions indicate that a wide variety of majors from various colleges are appropriate for admission to their law school. Since there is no formal pre-law curriculum, a course of study is designed to prepare students for law school in conjunction with the student’s formal major. Essentially, it will provide students contemplating a career in law with a broad-based program of study that focuses on improvement of the student’s skills in oral communication, writing, and analytical reasoning.
Students interested in careers in law are encouraged to speak with a Pre-Law advisor and to participate in various law-related programs such as law school visitations, the Pre-Law Society, and Distinguished Jurist Day. Your Pre-Law advisor will provide guidance on the law school admissions test (LSAT), law school application process, and on selecting the best law school for you. LSAT and law school applications are available in room 190 Bowen Hall. For additional information contact Mr. Waide at (662) 325-7860 or wwaide@pspa.msstate.edu .
There is no set curriculum but the following are suggested basic courses for a person interested in law school. See your pre-law advisor for additional course suggestions based on your career interest and major.
| BL 2413 | The Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| EN 4223 | Principles of Legal Writing | 3 |
| LSK 2013 | Speed Reading | 3 |
| PHI 1113 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
| PS 3063 | Constitutional Powers | 3 |
| PS 3073 | Civil Liberties | 3 |
| PS 4183 | Judicial Process | 3 |
| PSY 3213 | Psychology of Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 4353 | Psychology and the Law | 3 |
| SO 3603 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Concentration (MED) (DENT)
Major Advisors: Mary Celeste Reese; Office: 117 Harned Hall
Undergraduate Coordinator: Deb Mlsna, 1115 Hand Lab
Professor Kenneth Willeford; Office: 445 Dorman Hall
Preference is given to persons who have completed four years of study, majored in a specific discipline, and earned a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum for admission to most professional schools includes one academic year each of English, biological science, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, mathematics, physics and advanced science. The Pre-Medical advisors can provide detailed information about requirements of various schools.
Pre-Nursing Concentration (BION)
Major Advisor: Mary Celeste Reese
Office: 117 Harned Hall
UMC and MUW have slightly different admission requirements, so course selection will vary during the sophomore year depending upon which professional school the student plans to attend. Students should consult the advisor for details. A minimum grade of C and a minimum composite score of 21 on the ACT is required for admission. Application for professional school is normally made during the fall preceding the year admission is desired. Consult your advisor for developing an appropriate schedule of classes.
Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIOO)
Major Advisor: Mary Celeste Reese
Office: 117 Harned Hall
Requirements for admission to the various optometry schools differ. Students should check the specific requirements of the professional schools to which they plan to apply. Pre-Optometry students should plan to take the Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT) during the sophomore or junior year. Consult your advisor for developing an appropriate schedule of classes.
Pre-Pharmacy Requirements (CHPH)
Major Advisors: Undergraduate Coordinator Deb Mlsna
Professors Keith Mead and Peter Rabideau
Office: 1115 Hand Lab
The pre-pharmacy program is intended for students who wish to attend the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. No degree will be granted from Mississippi State University, and there are thus no university or college requirements. The courses listed below will satisfy the requirements for the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Most pharmacy schools have similar requirements. However, students who wish to attend other pharmacy schools should check the specific requirements for that school.
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 1213 | Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 1211 | Investigations in Chemistry I | 1 |
| CH 1223 | Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 1221 | Investigations in Chemistry II | 1 |
| CH 4513 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 4511 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CH 4523 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 4521 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| BCH 4603 | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| or BCH 4013 | Principles of Biochemistry | |
| BCH 4713 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| or BIO 2103 | Cell Biology | |
| BIO 1134 | Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 1144 | Biology II | 4 |
| BIO 4514 | Animal Physiology | 4 |
| BIO 3304 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 4405 | Pathogenic Microbiology | 5 |
| BIO 4413 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIO 3103 | Genetics I | 3 |
| or BIO 4133 | Human Genetics | |
| PHI 2123 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| ST 2113 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| MA 1713 | Calculus I | 3 |
| PH 1113 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PH 1123 | General Physics II | 3 |
| CO 1003 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| EC 2123 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Social and Behavioral Science Electives 1 | 6 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts Electives 2 | 9 | |
| General Electives | ||
| To bring the total number of credit hours up to 92 | ||
| 1 | At MSU EC 2113 Principles of Macroeconomics is a pre-requisite for the required course EC 2123 (see above), and EC 2113 will count as one social science elective. In addition to EC 2113 one course from either Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, or Anthropology is required. |
| 2 | At least 3 credit hours required in each of the two main areas. |