Professional & Pre-Professional Programs

Medical Laboratory Science

Although placement in a hospital school cannot be guaranteed, almost all Albright students who have earned a 3.00 average have been accepted. A 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). Students interested in this program should consult with Dr. Erin Ventresca.

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 required concentration for admission to law school. Rather, students planning to attend law school should pursue a serious and demanding course of study that will help them understand society and themselves, and help develop the intellectual abilities, and insights needed to practice law. Pre-law students should incorporate into their undergraduate program courses that 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 the world in which they will live.

To prepare students for law school, Albright offers a pre-law 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 our Pre-Law Advisor, Suzanne Palmer, J.D. LL.M., Assistant Professor of Economics and Business. Professor Palmer is an attorney and an experienced pre-law advisor who can guide students through the process of preparing for a career in law and the law school application process.

Several specific courses are recommended for pre-law students, regardless of their areas of concentration, with the understanding that most pre-law students will take some, but not all of these courses:

• Constitutional Law (POL 371)
• Civil Liberties (POL 372)
• Critical Thinking (PHI 150)

For students interested in a more intensive academic preparation for law school, Albright offers an interdisciplinary Legal Studies Program, which incorporates the courses listed above along with other courses designed to explore the role of the legal system in the American society and polity. See the Political Science section for specific program requirements.

Those interested in corporate law should also consider:

• Financial Accounting (ACC 101)
• Principles of Economics (ECO 105)
• Business Law I (BUS 250)

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 that increase reading ability and comprehension.

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary, and Others

Albright College prepares 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 could also major in another area.

Core prerequisite courses are as follows:

• BIO 151 and 203 (General Biology)
• CHE 105 and 106 (General and Analytical Chemistry)
• CHE 207 and 208 (Organic Chemistry I and II)
• MAT 131 and 132 (Calculus I and II)
• PHY 201 and 202 (General Physics I and II)

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 advisor, Dr. Erin Ventresca. Pre-professional students may concentrate in areas other than biology or biochemistry. However, in order to meet specific science requirements for professional schools, they should plan their schedules in conference with both the appropriate academic department and Dr. Ventresca.

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 10 required courses (BIO 151, 203; CHE 105, 106, 207, 208; MAT 131, 132; PHY 201, 202). Successful candidates must complete their undergraduate requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3, and earn at least Hershey’s national average scores on the MCAT.

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, foreign language (at least one), philosophy, ethics, logic, religious studies, history, psychology, the natural sciences and education. All pre-theological students should consult with the Religious Studies Department Chair for assistance in organizing their programs.

Teacher Education

Please refer to the Education Department section of the catalog for specific information on teacher education.