Allied Health Professions
Students who wish to enter allied health professions (dental hygiene, pharmacy, nursing, health care management, medical technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and radiological technology) will need to complete at least two years and may want to complete four years of preparatory studies at Virginia Wesleyan College before making application to a given professional school. Students interested in any of these preparatory programs should contact Dr. Vic Townsend, Jr. for a listing of required courses.
Church-related Vocations
Christian ministry in today's world takes many forms such as the pastoral
ministry, Christian education, hospital and military chaplaincies,
teaching in church-related colleges, and counseling. A broadly
based program of studies in the liberal arts is required
for admission to the graduate schools which prepare persons
for these ministries. The focus of this program of study
may be in the field of religion or some other area of the humanities or
the social sciences. The college chaplain, Robert
Chapman,
is available as a vocational
adviser for students who are contemplating Christian vocations.
Environmental Studies
In the context of our role as a liberal arts institution in preparing students for citizenship and social responsibility, Virginia Wesleyan offers two approaches to environmental studies. First, students may choose the more traditional science track by majoring in biology, chemistry or general science which will prepare students for pursuing advanced degrees in ecology, environmental science or toxicology. Students interested in this approach should contact Dr. Garry E. Noe.
A second approach that integrates the divergent perspectives of the liberal arts tradition is the interdisciplinary major, environmental studies. The flexibility of this track and the breadth of its curricular options allow it to meet a diversity of student interests and needs in environmental education. Students interested in this approach should contact Dr. Lawrence D. Hultgren or Dr. Maynard H. Schaus.
Health and Human Services
The designation "human services" covers a broad spectrum of career possibilities. Virginia Wesleyan’s program in human services provides significant training for students who wish to enter careers oriented toward direct service, to community action, to the legislative process, or to administrative planning. There is a well defined program in each of these areas which culminates in an internship which is related to a given student’s interests. Students who are interested in this program should contact Dr. Benjamin Dobrin for more information.
Law
Numbers of Virginia Wesleyan College students have successfully gained entrance into law school. No single major is recommended for students interested in pursuing a legal career. It is important to note, however, that law schools emphasize the importance of a broad-based liberal arts education in which the student has excelled. Students who are interested in the pre-law course of study at Virginia Wesleyan should contact Ms. Deborah L. Hicks.
Medicine, Denistry, and Veterinary Medicine
Students who wish to pursue careers in these fields must meet the admissions requirements for the professional school of their choice. Those standards include interest in grades, relevant co-curriculur activities and appropriate internships, externships, and research. At VWC, the Pre-Professional Committee assists in the application process by providing guidance to students and by conducting interviews with students during the fall semester of the senior year. In addition, the Pre-Professional Club is a student-run organization that sponsors a variety of activities including seminars by professionals from various fields, campus visits and meetings with admissions officials from pre-professional programs, and student volunteer activities. The club meets at least twice each semester. Students who have an interest in pursuing a career in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine are encouraged to consult with Dr. Victor R. Townsend, Jr.
Medical School
Students applying for medical school are expected to have gained a broad exposure to medicine prior to the submission of their application. Students are also expected to attain a satisfactory score on the medical school admissions test (MCAT) and to complete the following courses: General Biology, 2 semesters (BIO 131, 132); General Chemistry, 2 semesters (CHEM 117, 118); Organic Chemistry, 2 semesters (CHEM 311/321, CHEM 312/322); and Physics, 2 semesters (PHYS 215 and 216 or PHYS 221 and 222). It is also strongly recommended that students complete the following courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 221); Comparative Anatomy (BIO 372); Histology (BIO 371); Biochemistry (CHEM 437); and Ethics and Health Care (Phil 221 or 321). These additional courses are not required but may have a major affect upon a student's success on the MCAT.
Dental School
Students applying for dental school are expected to attain a satisfactory score on the dental school admissions test (DAT) and to complete the following courses: General Biology, 2 semesters (BIO 131, 132); General Chemistry, 2 semesters (CHEM 117, 118); Organic Chemistry, 2 semesters (CHEM 311/321, CHEM 312/322); and Physics, 2 semesters (PHYS 215 and 216 or PHYS 221 and 222). Some dental schools may also require additional courses in biochemistry, psychology, and English.
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
Students applying for graduate programs in veterinary medicine are expected to have gained significant experience working with animals and to have attained a satisfactory score on the graduate record examination (GRE). Specific course requirements vary between schools and students are expected to contact programs about their specific requirements prior to the submission of an application. In general, students should complete the following courses: General Biology, 2 semesters (BIO 131, 132); General Chemistry, 2 semesters (CHEM 117, 118); Organic Chemistry, 2 semesters (CHEM 311/321, CHEM 312/322); Biochemistry, 1 semester, (CHEM 437); Physics, 2 semesters (PHYS 215 and 216 or PHYS 221 and 222); English, 2 semesters; mathematics, 2 semesters (college algebra or higher); and social sciences, 2 semesters. It is also strongly recommended that students complete Comparative Anatomy (BIO 372) and Histology (BIO 371).