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 Professional
/ Pre-Professional Programs
Religious Education
Students who are interested in preparing for careers with religious
organizations or in public policy and education dealing with religious
issues and themes are advised to get a thorough grounding in the
foundation disciplines. These include religious studies, philosophy,
psychology, education, political science, and sociology. Students
should select an area of concentration from one of the following:
psychology, philosophy, political science, history, English or religious
studies.
All religious education students should consult Professor
King in the religious studies
department for assistance in organizing their programs.
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Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology)
Students interested in clinical laboratory science (medical technology)
should schedule BIO 201, 202, 203, and 321; CHE 207 and 208; MAT
107 and 108; and PHY 201 and 202.
Although placement in a hospital school cannot be guaranteed, almost
all Albright students who have earned a 3.00 average have been accepted.
The year in an accredited hospital school, a baccalaureate degree,
and a passing grade in the registry examination are requirements
for certification as a medical technologist (MT). All hospital schools
associated with Albright College have CAHEA (Committee on Allied
Health Education and Accreditation) approval. Hospitals
are listed here.
Students interested in this program should contact Professor
Campbell in the biology department.
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Pre-Law
Students applying to law school should have a record of high achievement
in a broad and challenging program of study. There is no one required
concentration. Rather, students planning to attend law school should
pursue a serious and demanding course of study which will help them
understand society and themselves and develop the intellectual skills,
abilities, and insights needed to practice law. Prelaw students
should include in their undergraduate program of study courses which
enhance their understanding of politics and government, develop
their writing skills, provide training in the use of language and
reasoning, and increase their understanding of history, economics,
and world in which they will live.
To prepare students for law school, Albright offers a prelaw program
consisting of an area of concentration of the student’s choice,
other recommended courses (see below), and a systematic process
for advising from the freshman through senior years. Students considering
law school should confer with the prelaw advisor, Associate
Professor Auerbach of the political
science department. He is an experienced prelaw advisor who
can guide you through the process of preparing for a career in law
and through the application process.
Several specific courses are recommended for prelaw students,
regardless of their areas of concentration, with the understanding
that prelaw students will take some, but not all of these courses.
Constitutional Law (POS 371) and Civil Liberties (POS 372), are
recommended to help familiarize students with the case method widely
used in American law schools. An internship (POS 399) will help
familiarize students with the practice of law; Critical Thinking
(PHI 150), is useful to help students develop the skills they will
need to do well on the Law School Admission Test; and those interested
in corporate law should also consider, Financial Accounting (ACC
101), Principles of Economics (ECO 105), and Micro or Macroeconomics
(ECO 335 or ECO 336).
Courses that enhance writing skills, analytical, abstract, and/or
quantitative skills or that develop understanding of history and
values also are especially good preparation for law school and the
legal profession, as are courses which increase reading ability
and comprehension.
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Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary
and Others
Albright College offers courses which prepare students for admission
to professional schools of medicine, optometry, osteopathy, dentistry,
pharmacy, dental hygiene, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine.
Most pre-professional students concentrate in biology,
biochemistry, or chemistry,
but they may major in any area.
There are a number of core courses that should be taken, however.
They are: BIO 201 and 203; CHE 105, 106, 207, and 208; MAT 107 and
108; and PHY 201 and 202. Students should plan to prepare for and
take the Medical College Aptitude Test (or other appropriate placement
exam) in the spring of the junior year. Students interested in these
programs should consult with the pre-professional adviser, Professor
Campbell, in the biology department.
Pre-professional students may concentrate in areas other than
biology. However, in order to meet specific science requirements
for professional schools, they should plan their schedules in conference
with both the academic department and Professor Campbell.
Early Assurance Program: Albright College has established an early
assurance agreement with the Pennsylvania State University School
of Medicine at Hershey. Under the terms of this agreement, students
with a combined SAT score of 1250 and a 3.5 GPA at the end of their
sophomore year are nominated for early acceptance to Hershey medical
school, provided that they have completed eight of the ten required
courses (BIO 201 and 202 or 203; CHE 105, 106, 207, 208; MAT 107,
108; PHY 201, 202). Successful candidates must complete their undergraduate
requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3, and earn at least
national average scores on the MCAT.
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Pre-Theological Program
The pre-theological program is designed for students who intend
to enter a theological school to prepare for the Christian ministry
or other church-related service.
Pre-theological students may enroll in either the bachelor of
arts or the bachelor of science curriculum. Students should obtain
a thorough foundation in the following basic subjects: English;
at least one foreign language; philosophy; ethics; logic; religious
studies; history; psychology; the natural sciences; and education.
All pre-theological students should consult with Professor
King in the religious studies
department for assistance in organizing their programs.
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Teacher Education
Albright College offers 15 Pennsylvania Department of Education
approved teacher certification programs in the following areas:
Education courses are designed to satisfy Pennsylvania state requirements
for teacher certification and to give students an adequate background
in theory and supervised practice to insure success in teaching.
The specific minimum requirements to be met in the Albright College
education curriculum for Pennsylvania Teacher Certification are:
- Completion of college degree including courses as appropriate
in elementary, secondary or special education. (See Education
Department listing in catalog for specific course requirements
and screening and retention policies.) (Transfer credits for certification
purposes are left to the discretion of the certification officer.)
- Official certificates of United States citizenship and sound
health; letters of recommendation from faculty and field supervisors;
and completion of Act 34 criminal record clearance and child abuse
clearance.
- Pass scores on all Pennsylvania required PRAXIS tests.
Students interested in pursuing teacher certification must consult
Education Department faculty before
the end of their freshman year. Courses and requirements for these
programs have been chosen to fit into an eight-term framework; failure
to seek consultation concerning those requirements prior to selecting
courses will likely delay completion of the certification program
beyond the eighth semester. Because of ongoing changes in teacher
certification standards, programs, and regulations, individual questions
concerning reciprocity agreements with other states, specific certification
requirements, and competency testing for teacher applicants must
be addressed to the certification officer. Consult Education Department
faculty for specific course requirements within each certification
program.
The following summary of Albright College’s Higher Education
Act Title II data describes the success of our teacher candidates
with PRAXIS tests.
The 100% pass rate achieved by recent (1999-2000) Albright College
Education Program completers on Pennsylvania PRAXIS assessments
of communications skills, general and professional knowledge reflects
the high level of competency of Albright students entering the teaching
profession. A pass rate of 94% on assessments of knowledge in all
academic content areas is a positive reflection on Albright’s
strong liberal arts program of study. Pass rates of 95% and 100%
on assessments of elementary education and early childhood content
indicate that Albright students are entering the classroom with
the subject-matter competencies needed to guide young learners.
Albright’s teacher preparation program compares most favorably
with other Pennsylvania teacher education institutions; 1999-2000
program completers performed at or above the statewide pass rate
on all reported assessments. At Albright, small classes, rigorous
requirements, and a caring faculty with extensive experience in
public education combine to create a positive environment for teacher
education.
For further information and access to the full HEA II report,
please contact the Albright College Education Department.
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