IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2012-2014

Departments & Programs

Special Programs

Pre-Professional Programs

While some professional programs (dental, pharmacy, veterinary) may not require an undergraduate degree for strong applicants, many do require an undergraduate degree. The preprofessional student is urged to elect a degree program rather than fulfilling the minimum requirements for entry into professional programs. This provides the necessary background if a degree is required, and serves as a backup plan if the student does not matriculate to a professional program.

Students may choose from a variety of majors while completing preprofessional requirements. Students are encouraged to consult with their major advisor, as well as the School of Science health professions advisor, if enrolled in a School of Science degree program. 

Although there are many professional programs from which to choose and we encourage students to apply to multiple programs, our preprofessional advising is aligned with the programs with which we are most closely affiliated –IU in Bloomington, the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis and Purdue University in West Lafayette.

Post-baccalaureate students holding non-science degrees may choose to take prerequisite courses through the School of Science for entry into professional programs. These students should consult with the health professions advisor for help with the admission process and course selection. For additional information, see the School of Science Bulletin, Graduate Programs, Graduate Nondegree Study section.

Most professional programs require not only specific prerequisite courses, a strong GPA, and a profession-specific or general entrance test, but also experience including shadowing in the field, volunteering and leadership activities.

Pre-Medical Program

Students planning to apply to medical school must choose a degree program in addition to taking courses that fulfill the admission requirements for their chosen medical school. While many opt to complete their degrees with science majors, other fields of specialization are acceptable. Freshmen should declare their chosen major and seek advising for their degree requirements from the advisor in their major department. IUPUI also offers health professions advising in the School of Science and the School of Liberal Arts. Premedical students should consult the health professions advisor in their school once they have completed the 10 credit hours of biology and 10 credit hours of inorganic chemistry required for medical school in order to plan the additional courses needed for medical school, timing for the MCAT test and the admission process to medical school.

Prerequisites for IU School of Medicine

The premedical student should complete the bachelor's degree. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required.

Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary, Pre-Optometry Programs

Admission to professional schools is highly competitive. The preprofessional student is therefore urged to elect a degree program rather than fulfilling the minimum requirements of these schools. Students who choose predental, preveterinary medicine, and preoptometry are usually placed in the Department of Biology where preprofessional advising is available. Predental students are also encouraged to meet with the health professions advisor in the School of Science to plan for the testing and admission process required by dental schools. Refer to the Department of Biology section of this bulletin for the required courses for Indiana University School of Optometry and Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Graduate students holding non-science degrees who are electing courses in the School of Science to prepare for medical or dental school are also invited to use the health professions advising service for help with the admission process.

Pre-Dentistry Prerequisites for IU Dental School

Minimum requirements include 90 credit hours of coursework. Bachelor's degree strongly recommended. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required. Applicants should also show evidence of manual dexterity.

Pre-Veterinary Science Prerequisites for Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine

Bachelor's degree is not required. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for admission. 

Pre-Optometry Prerequisites for IU School of Optometry

Minimum of 90 credit hours of coursework. Bachelor's degree strongly recommended. The Optometry Aptitude Test (OAT) is required.

Pre-Pharmacy Program

The prepharmacy program at IUPUI consists of approximately 70-90 credit hours of course work required to apply to pharmacy school. Students declaring prepharmacy upon admission to IUPUI are assigned to the Department of Biology, where prepharmacy advising is available. After completion of the required courses for admission, students apply to the pharmacy school of their choice. Refer to the Department of Biology section of this bulletin for required courses to apply to the pharmacy program at the Purdue School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences.

Pre-Pharmacy Prerequisites for Purdue School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences

A bachelors' degree is not required. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is not required for admission to Purdue's program. Those entering the professional program beginning Fall 2010 will have additional course requirements to fulfill. Interested students should contact Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences for more information.