Bethany offers pre-professional study programs in a number of areas, including the following:
Engineering
The Bethany engineering program permits students to earn both a bachelor’s degree from Bethany and a B .S . in engineering from a cooperating school upon completion of a five-year sequence. Students spend three years in the liberal arts environment at Bethany and then attend Case Western Reserve University for an additional two years. Students interested in engineering should plan to take Physics 201-202 and Mathematics 201-202 during their first year. Other courses should be chosen with regard to the particular subfield within engineering that interests the student. Additional information is available from the pre-engineering advisor.
Law
No particular pattern of courses is required for admission to law schools. Students should plan to take the Law School Admission Test no later than December of the senior year. The following courses will assist students to prepare for this test: POLS 110, 322, 361-363, 401; ACCT 202-203; COMM 206, 304; PHIL 100, 123; and courses in English literature, composition, and world languages. Students interested in pre-professional preparation in law should consult the pre-law advisor.
Bethany College has also established innovative three-three programs with Appalachian School of Law, Duquesne University and Ohio Northern University. These programs permit a student to complete three years of undergraduate coursework at Bethany and then enter law for the completion of the J.D. degree after three more years of study (four years in the Duquesne Law School’s Evening Division). Students receive a bachelor’s degree from Bethany upon successful completion of the first year of the law program and having completed all college-wide requirements for a Bethany degree. Additional information about this program may be obtained from the Office of the Provost and Dean of Faculty.
Medical and Health Professions
Programs for advanced degrees in medical fields such as dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and podiatry, as well as physician assistant and other health science fields require applicants to have a broad foundation in the sciences, mathematics, and English. Students are required to show competency in both inorganic and organic chemistry, biology and general physics, usually completing a two semester sequence, and many programs are now requiring or strongly recommending biochemistry. Students will also be expected to perform satisfactorily on a qualifying exam such as the DAT, GRE, MCAT, OAT, or PCAT. Students interested in health related professions should plan to take Chemistry 101-102 and Biology 100 during their first year. Mathematics 201 is highly recommended during the first year. Chemistry 211-212 should be taken in the second year, and Physics 201-202 taken no later than the third year. Pre-professional students in the health sciences should consult early in their first year with the chair of the Health Professions Advisory Committee.
Ministry
Students planning to enter church vocations complete their preparation in seminaries and graduate schools of religion after completing their undergraduate studies at Bethany. A solid and broad base in liberal arts is recommended as preparation for seminary studies. Students should consider taking courses in Religious Studies, History, English, Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Work, and World Languages and Cultures. Students interested in ministerial careers should contact the Department of Humanities.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Preparation for graduate programs in Occupational Therapy is available through one of the majors in the Department of Psychology: Psychology with a Pre-Occupational Therapy Emphasis (requirements are listed in the Psychology section of this Catalogue). Students interested in pre-professional preparation in occupational therapy should consult the pre-occupational therapy advisor.
Pre-Physical Therapy
Preparation for graduate programs in Physical Therapy is available through one of the majors in the Department of Psychology: Psychology with a Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis (requirements are listed in the Psychology section of this Catalogue). Students interested in pre-professional preparation in physical therapy should consult the pre-physical therapy advisor.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Colleges of Veterinary Medicine expect incoming students to have a broad background in the biological and physical sciences with students completing at least three courses in biology including general biology, genetics, microbiology as the most requested, two semesters of both general chemistry and organic chemistry, as well as at least one semester of biochemistry, and two semesters of general physics. A course in animal nutrition is required by nearly half of the schools.
Other typical course requirements include at least one math class and two semesters of English composition and literature. Another major requirement is documented experience with animals and work with veterinarians. Students can gain valuable experience working with area veterinarians.
Students who can claim West Virginia residency status may obtain a position as a contract student at one of two schools: The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and Mississippi State University. There are at present 13 contract seats for West Virginia residents among the two eligible schools. Eligible students must complete the application for the West Virginia Contract Seat, which can be obtained at https://davismichael .wvu .edu/veterinary-school-info/contract- school-information/available-contract-seats . Application deadlines vary, and students are encouraged to consult the website listed above at the beginning of their junior year. All students interested in attending veterinary school should review the admission requirements of any veterinary college they may likely attend as requirements among the colleges vary widely.