Why Washburn for Pre-Professional Health?
If you know you want to work as a medical doctor, physical assistant, dentist, optometrist, pharmacist, physical therapist, or veterinarian, Washburn will provide the strong scientific foundation you need to be successful in your advanced study and your career. You’ll most likely pursue a degree in Biology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Biology Department), Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Laboratory Science (Chemistry Department), or Exercise and Rehabilitation Science (Kinesiology Department).
Because you’ll train as a scientist – focusing on fundamentals and skill building with experts, not graduate students – you’ll be ready for the next level at graduation. With a faculty mentor and advisor who knows what it takes to reach your goals, you’ll complete at least one semester of research (Biology and Chemistry), which may be lab or field based. Internships also are available with our many partners.
Washburn's pre-health professions programs are excellent preparation
- Learn from field experts not graduate students in small classes that help you thrive.
- Internships in a variety of settings will help you explore career paths prior to graduation. Recent sites include state agency labs, medical centers, and a brewery.
- Biology Department scholarships, Chemistry Department scholarships, and Kinesiology Department scholarships are available to incoming and returning majors.
- Find your people on campus with student clubs.
- Graduate with research experience (required for graduation in Biology and Chemistry) guided by a faculty mentor, which could lead to a conference presentation or publication.
Admissions scholarships
Washburn University offers generous scholarships based on your interests, career aspirations, community service and academic success.Biology department scholarships
The biology department offers a variety of scholarships based on academic performance and career pursuits. New and transfer students are eligible. Applications are due early in the spring.- Admissions scholarshipsAdmissions scholarships
- Biology department scholarshipsBiology department scholarships
Tuition and fees
Courses in this program are offered at the Traditional Undergraduate rate.Financial aid
Washburn University offers generous undergraduate financial aid, including scholarships and grants.Tuition waivers
If you don’t currently live in Kansas, learn about our Tuition Waiver programs that may qualify you for in-state tuition.- Tuition and feesTuition and fees
- Financial aidFinancial aid
- Tuition waiversTuition waivers
Pre-Health options
Your advisor will guide you to the right courses for your goals. If you’re interested in pre-veterinary, pre-physical therapy, pre-optometry or pre-dentistry, let them know right away so they can get you the information you need to plan for success.
Pre-Medicine
The pre-medicine program is for students interested in attending medical school after completing their bachelor's degree.
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REQUIREMENTS (Minimum): |
WASHBURN COURSES: |
MCAT2015?
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Biology (1 year with lab) |
BI 102 General Cellular Biology (5) F, S BI 103 General Organismal Biology (5) F, S
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Yes Yes |
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General Chemistry (1 year with lab) |
CH 151 Fundamentals of Chemistry I (5) F CH 152 Fundamentals of Chemistry II (5) S
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Yes Yes |
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Organic Chemistry (1 year with lab) |
CH 340/342 Organic Chemistry I (5) F CH 341/343 Organic Chemistry II (5) S
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Yes Yes |
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Physics (1 year with lab) |
PS 261 College Physics I (5) F PS 262 College Physics II (5) S [Algebra/Trigonometry-based] OR PS 281 General Physics I (5) S PS 282 General Physics II (5) F [Calculus-based]
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Yes Yes |
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Mathematics (1 course) |
MA 140 Statistics (3) F, S OR MA 151 Calculus I (5) F
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No*
No |
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English (2 semesters) |
EN 101 (3) F, S, Sm EN 300 (3) F, S, Sm |
No* No* |
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED COURSES: |
BI 255 Human Physiology (4) F, S, Sm OR BI 330 Animal Physiology (4) Variable
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Yes |
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BI 275 Human Anatomy (4) F, S, Sm |
No
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BI 301 General Microbiology (4) F, S |
No
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BI 333 General Genetics (4) F, S |
Yes
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BI 353 Molecular Genetics (3) F |
Yes
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BI 355 Developmental Biology (5) Variable |
No
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BI 357 Histology (4) Variable |
No
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BI 362 Immunology (3) S |
No
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CH 350 Biochemistry I (3) S |
Yes
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PY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) F, S, Sm |
Yes
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SO 100 Introduction to Sociology (3) F, S, Sm |
Yes
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PH 214 Medical Ethics (3) Variable |
No*
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*Content is not specifically on the MCAT2015 exam, but some knowledge would be helpful.
Applicants are also expected to possess a general understanding of healthcare and medicine based upon employment, physician-shadowing, or volunteer experiences. Joining a student organization early in a student’s academic career, such as AMSA, may help provide opportunities for shadowing and volunteering.
The MCAT is required of all applicants and is generally taken following the junior year. MCAT scores usually are only valid for 3 years, depending upon the medical school. Applicants should have completed a curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree (regardless of major) that will be conferred prior to the planned date of enrollment in medical school.
Pre-Physician Assistant
The pre-physician assistant program is for students interested in attending a physician assistant program after completing their bachelor's degree.
The following pre-PA requirements and recommendations on this page are for the Wichita State University Physician Assistant (PA) Program. Because PA programs vary widely in their required coursework, students should consult other PA programs' requirements to ensure they are on track with prerequisite coursework.
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Requirements |
Washburn Courses |
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General Biology (1 semester) |
BI 102 Gen. Cell. Biology (5) |
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General Chemistry (1 year with lab) |
CH 151 Fund. of Chemistry I (5) CH 152 Fund. of Chemistry II (5) |
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General Microbiology with lab (1 semester) |
BI 301 General Microbiology (4) |
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Human Anatomy |
BI 275 Human Anatomy (4) |
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Human Physiology (1 semester) |
BI 255 Human Physiology (4) |
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Mathematics/Statistics |
MA 140 Statistics (3) |
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Pathophysiology (1 semester; upper division) |
AL 320 Human Disease (3) OR |
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Medical Terminology |
AL 141 Medical Terminology (3) |
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* With permission from the WU School of Nursing |
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HIGHLY Recommended Courses: |
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AL 101 Introduction to Health Care (3) |
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BI 333 General Genetics (4) |
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BI 362 Immunology (3) |
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CH 350 Biochemistry I (3) |
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HS 270 Theories on Aging (3) |
Other Requirements: Health care experience (direct patient care) is strongly preferred.
Application Requirements (for the PA Program at Wichita State University).
A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university will be required prior to matriculation into PA school. Minimum GPA for degree and prerequisite coursework is 3.0. Coursework more than 10 years old will be subject to departmental review and in some cases applicants may be required to repeat certain courses.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores must be submitted by all applicants and the exam must have been taken in the previous five years.
All applicants must be submitted through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) website. The initial application deadline for summer admission is usually the October 1 of the prior year. Applicants must also submit a Wichita State University Graduate School Application. A supplemental application will be sent to qualified applicants.
The functions of a physician assistant include performing diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and health maintenance services in any setting in which the physician renders care, in order to allow more effective and focused application of the physician's particular knowledge and skills.
Your role will require intelligence, sound judgment, honesty and the ability to relate to people in a reasonable manner. An attitude of respect for self and others, adherence to the concepts of privilege and confidentiality in communication, and a commitment to the welfare of others are essential attributes for you to demonstrate.
The specific tasks you will have to perform, as a physician assistant will vary because of the differences in practice requirements mandated by geographic, political, economic and social factors. For those reasons, your education will emphasize didactic and clinical studies that will prepare you to function as a generalist with the ability to expand to more specialized areas.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the certification examination developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners and administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. The examination is required for PA practice in most states, including Kansas.
The professional curriculum is divided into two phases, each lasting 12-14 months:
- Didactic Phase. The didactic year includes graduate coursework in the basic sciences (anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology), clinical sciences, research methods and statistics, epidemiology, behavioral medicine, ethics, preventive medicine and community health, social and legal issues, and clinical skills.
- Clinical/Research Phase. The clinical/research year is a series of clinical rotations in a variety of medical settings, primarily in Kansas, and directed studies in research leading to the completion of a final research project. Students are required to complete rotations in family practice, general internal medicine, pediatrics, prenatal care and gynecology, general surgery, emergency medicine, psychiatry and behavioral medicine, and geriatrics. Students complete nine rotations of 4-8 weeks each (approximately 50 weeks total). All students are required to complete a minimum of three rotations outside the city of Wichita, KS with at least three rotations in a rural or urban underserved community.
The ideal candidate for the PA Program will have:
- A real desire to be a PA
- Familiarity with the role of a PA
- Realistic expectations about the program
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Maturity
- Interpersonal skills
- Dr. John Mullican (Biology)
- Dr. Susan Bjerke (Biology)
- Dr. Tracy Wagner (Biology)
Pre-Pharmacy
The pre-pharmacy concentration is for students interested in continuing their education in pharmacy school. Students interested in the Pre-Pharmacy program should also consider pursuing the A.A. degree in Laboratory Science.
The following requirements and recommendations are for the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy admission requirements. Other pharmacy schools have similar requirements, but inquiry should be made to ensure compliance.
Fall Semester |
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| Course Number | Course | Credit Hours |
| CH 151 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I | 5 |
| BI 102 | General Cellular Biology | 5 |
| EN 101 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| WU 101 | Washburn Experience | 3 |
| 16 | ||
Spring Semester |
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| Course Number | Course | Credit Hours |
| CH 152 | Fundamentals of Chemistry II | 5 |
| BI 255 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| MA 151 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 5 |
| SO 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| 17 | ||
Second Year |
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Fall Semester |
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| Course Number | Course | Credit Hours |
| CH 340 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 342 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| BI 301 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| EN --- | Course in Literature | 3 |
| PS 261 | College Physics I | 5 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| 18 | ||
Spring Semester |
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| Course Number | Course | Credit Hours |
| CH 341 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 343 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| BI 250 | Introduction to Human Anatomy | 3 |
| MA 140 | Statistics | 3 |
| AN 112 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| CN 150 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| 17 | ||
Other Requirements
The plan provided assumes a student enters Washburn University with a Math ACT score of 28 or higher to satisfy the prerequisite requirements for MA151. A lower score will most likely require additional coursework. It is strongly advised that you visit with the Pre-Pharmacy (AA in LS) advisor to work through your individual situation.
Associate of Arts in Laboratory Science (AA in LS)
Students will complete all requirements for the AA in LS which will automatically satisfy the KU General Education Core Goals 1-3. The courses SO 100 and AN 112 are needed to satisfy the KU General Education Core Goal 4.
All goals and learning outcomes of the KU Core, www.kucore.ku.edu must be satisfied as a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree requirement.
General Studies
A minimum of 68 credit hours of eligible Pre-Pharmacy coursework must be completed prior to matriculation into the professional curriculum of the KU School of Pharmacy. Activity courses in physical education or the arts (music, theater, etc.) may not be counted as part of the 68 hour minimum.
- Dr. Seid Adem (Chemistry)
Fill out the Undergraduate Admissions Application and enroll to pursue biology or chemistry. It's common to declare a major in biology or chemistry at enrollment and then determine your specific interest.
The best things you can do to succeed in as a pre-health professional at Washburn are: Attending class regularly, completing assignments and developing strong study routines, coming to class prepared, and accessing free tutoring and professor office hours when you have questions.
Degrees to match your goals
Learn more about the best-suited degree for your goals, including a sample schedule and a major map, which can help you imagine the experiences you’ll want to pursue along your way:
Recent internship sites
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Topeka Zoo
Student/faculty ratio
16:1
Washburn pre-health programs provide
Well-respected program
Research grant writing practice
Lab and field research opportunities
Financial and academic support
Program cost
Courses in this program are offered at the Traditional Undergraduate rate. Students in this program are eligible for scholarships and financial aid.
GET IN TOUCH WITH Department of Biology
Department of Biology
Stoffer Science Hall, Room 202
Washburn University
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
Phone: 785-670-2077
biology@washburn.edu
