PRE-LAW
Students interested in the practice of law generally pursue majors and minors in the traditional fields of the liberal arts. Successful preparation for law school includes majors as diverse as political science, psychology, English, history, and business administration. Students who prefer to do so, may personally design an interdisciplinary major in pre-law studies, or complete a minor in legal studies. Students applying to law school must take the LSAT test before applying, generally in the spring of their junior year, or fall of their senior year.
There are several law firms in Sioux City that offer undergraduate shadowing and internship experiences to pre-law students. This is not the norm, as many law firms in large cities require one year of law school to get an internship. We are also piloting a Pre-Law Rotation program, where first and second year students can connect and network with current attorneys in various areas of law to explore different career options, and learn what it takes to be successful in law school.
Recently, our students have attended law school at the University of South Dakota, Drake University, Creighton University, University of Nebraska Lincoln, and the University of Iowa.
PRE-MINISTRY
Students seeking an advanced degree in ministry or religious studies will benefit from the thorough liberal arts background that Morningside offers. At least a minor in religious studies is advisable for students who wish to pursue careers in ordained ministry, youth work, counseling, or other religious vocations. It is recommended that students also choose classes in other academic areas such as history, political science, psychology, and English. Personal advising can help select the best concentrations for each individual. A major in religious studies is recommended for those who wish to teach in the college or university setting.
PRE-CHIROPRACTIC
Students who identify as pre-chiropractic typically major in biology and/or chemistry and then add appropriate prerequisites. Typical prerequisite courses are in the areas of business (a minor is recommended), English, the social sciences, humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology (specific psychology courses may vary depending on the school). Each institution offering a pre-chiropractic program has its own undergraduate prerequisites, so applicants should contact the college or university of their choice for specific requirements. There are a few programs that don’t require any prerequisites, however, they take longer to complete. Students interested in chiropractic take courses to prepare them for entry into a professional program at a chiropractic college. Our students primarily attend Palmer School of Chiropractic, Northwestern School of Health Sciences, and Cleveland School of Chiropractic.
PRE-DENTISTRY
Typically, students who identify as pre-dentistry major in biology and/or chemistry and then add appropriate prerequisites. Students may apply to dental school after 3 years of college work (90 hours), but most complete 4 years with a biology or chemistry major. Prerequisites for the graduate program include 8 semester hours in biology, 16 semester hours in chemistry (including organic), 8 semester hours in physics, and 6 semester hours in English. Students are encouraged to get a broad education and complete a major, because admission to dental school is very competitive and not guaranteed. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is also required. Our students have attended dental school at University of Iowa, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University.
PRE-MEDICINE
The goal of the pre-medical program at Morningside University is to provide appropriate course work in biology, chemistry, and physics and to develop good critical thinking and writing skills. Applicants to medical school (MD or DO) are required to take the MCAT prior to completing their application. Recommended majors for pre-medical study include biology and/or chemistry. Careful advising and scheduling of additional science courses and internships beyond the minimum requirements of medical schools contribute to a high acceptance rate and excellent performance of Morningside graduates who pursue a medical degree.
Recently, we have had students attend medical school at Des Moines University, Iowa Carver College of Medicine, University of Washington, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Sanford School of Medicine.
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
Students desiring a career in medical laboratory science can complete approximately 90 credit hours at Morningside which serves as a foundation for a clinical year of courses (40 credits) and practical lab experience. A Bachelor of Science degree is awarded when the student satisfies all Morningside requirements and passes the clinical year. Morningside University maintains affiliations with UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s and Mercy Medical Center, both accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Admission to these programs is competitive.
PRE-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
All occupational therapy programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year college or university.Students at Morningside who identify as pre-occupational therapy typically major in biology, with a minor in psychology, or major in biopsychology, making sure to add all appropriate prerequisites. These majors are the most common, but a student can really major in any subject and pursue occupational therapy as long as they complete the appropriate courses required for admission into their schools of interest. Each institution offering an occupational therapy program has its own undergraduate prerequisites, so applicants should contact the college or university of their choice for specific requirements. It is highly recommended that you earn above a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete a required amount of shadowing/volunteer clinical experience with an occupational therapist.
PRE-OPTOMETRY
Students at Morningside who identify as pre-optometry typically major in biology and/or chemistry and then add appropriate prerequisites. Students have also been successful by taking business courses or adding a business minor; these courses are not required, but in the past 5 years, we have had a 100% entrance rate. Each institution offering an optometry program has its own undergraduate prerequisites, so applicants should contact the college or university of their choice for specific requirements. The science courses should be pre-professional level courses designed for science majors or health professional students and should offer laboratory experience. Nationwide, there are only 23 Optometry schools, so admission is highly competitive. Recently, we have had students attend the Southern College of Optometry, as well as the University of Houston.
PRE-PHARMACY
Students at Morningside who identify as pre-pharmacy typically major in biology and/or chemistry and then add appropriate prerequisites. Each institution offering a pharmacy program has its own undergraduate prerequisites, so applicants should contact the college or university of their choice for specific requirements.
Typical pre-pharmacy coursework includes 8 semester hours in biology, 16 in chemistry, 8 in physics, 8 in English, calculus, and some social science and humanities courses. The completion of the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is required by most pharmacy programs. Pharmacy programs also strongly encourage their students to become certified pharmacy technicians, and we have several locations in the Siouxland area that will train students, as well as support them in getting their certification. Morningside students who have pursued pharmacy have attended the University of Iowa, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University, and South Dakota State University.
PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Students at Morningside who identify as pre-physical therapy typically major in biology and/or chemistry and then add appropriate prerequisites. Our pre-professional program includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, pre-calculus or calculus and statistics, as well as internship experiences required for admission to the accredited two-and-a-half year professional programs. Morningside is well positioned in Sioux City for physical therapy internships, with two major health centers and a sports medicine and orthopedics clinic.
A four-year degree and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are required for entrance into graduate programs in physical therapy. Recent Morningside graduates in this field have gone to the University of Iowa, Mayo School of Health Sciences, St. Ambrose University, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and University of South Dakota.
PRE-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Students at Morningside who identify as pre-physician assistant typically major in biology and/or chemistry and then add appropriate prerequisites. Students may apply to some programs with a minimum of three years of college work, but the majority of students in a typical class of future physician assistants have completed 4 or more years of college work. Typical prerequisites include 8 semester hours in biology (human anatomy and physiology with lab), 8-16 in chemistry (usually including organic and biochemistry), 8 in psychology, and statistics or calculus.
Applicants should also have some practical experience in health care, as many programs require several hundred direct patient care hours. Our students have gone on to programs at the University of Iowa, the University of Nebraska, and the University of South Dakota.
PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE
A pre-veterinary student usually completes a full bachelor’s degree with a major in biology or chemistry. Typical prerequisites include 8 semester hours in English composition, 16 semester hours in biology, 4 in oral communication, 20 in chemistry and biochemistry, and 4 in physics. Morningside students who are Iowa residents usually apply to Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine or the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska.
