As a student in one of our pre-professional programs, you’ll work one-on-one with faculty members and advisors to develop a course of study tailored to your interests and aspirations. You will benefit from individual attention in your classes, hands-on experiences and faculty who are accomplished educators and esteemed professionals in their fields. We will guide you through the process of identifying and applying to graduate schools, and set you on the right path to reach your career goals.
Pre-Law
The opportunities to pursue a career in law are endless and you can find a path to take you there across a variety of disciplines. You’ll have the opportunity to chart an academic course that combines the study of law with the fields and subjects that interest you most.
We will connect you with pre-law faculty advisors who will help you plan the course of your studies based on your career ambitions. You’ll take courses that introduce legal concepts and we will help you prepare for your graduate studies. You will walk away from Ashland with a strong foundation in the liberal arts, with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to the success of any law professional.
The Pre-Law Society
The Ashland University Pre-Law Society is a fully chartered, student-run organization designed for students interested in a law career. Members network with local attorneys through our legal lecture series, attend trials and visit local law schools. You will also prepare to take the Law School Admittance Test (LSAT), including free practice LSAT exams. In addition, practicing attorneys from the College of Business and Economics will assist you in preparing your application materials for law school.
Throughout their undergraduate experience, members receive curriculum advice from legal specialists in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business and Economics, with particular attention to the logic and problem-solving techniques preferred by law schools.
Pre-Health Sciences
As a pre-professional health sciences student, we'll take you out of the classroom and into the field. We'll prepare you to be among the 90 percent of our students who are accepted into professional health programs after graduation. And we’ll connect you with accomplished faculty who don’t just teach science – they live it!
You will have opportunities to connect and network with other students, faculty, alumni and professionals in your chosen field. You’ll also have invaluable hands-on experiences. You will be surrounded by professors and mentors invested in your future, who will help you prepare for advanced degrees and exciting careers.
Programs include:
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Medical Laboratory Science
(3+1 partnerships with the Cleveland Clinic School of Medical Laboratory Science and the Akron Cooperative Medical Laboratory Science Program at Akron Children’s Hospital) - Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Recommended majors for pre-health sciences students include biology, biochemistry, chemistry and toxicology. These majors will give you the flexibility to apply to professional programs, graduate programs or to get a job immediately after graduation.
Regardless of your major, you can participate in the student-run Pre-Health Club.
Pre-Seminary
Pre-Seminary Students
As a Pre-Seminary student at Ashland University, you will benefit from the close relationship between the Religion Department, the Office of Christian Ministry and Ashland Theological Seminary.
You will be studying for your Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in religion. As a religion major, you will be an active member of an academic community that integrates life, service, worship and your studies. Your classes will take you deeper into biblical study, Christian history and theology, ministry practice and interreligious study and dialogue. This curriculum will prepare you to continue your studies at seminary and for a lifetime of service to the church. A Religion professor will act as an academic advisor who helps you tailor your studies to get the most out of your degree program. This may include ministry internships for course credit.
There are opportunities to get involved in serving right away through the Office of Christian Ministry and student groups like The Well, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Coalition for Christian Outreach and the Catholic Campus Ministry.
Pre-Seminary Fellowship
You will be invited to join the Pre-Seminary Fellowship that is open to all students considering graduate theological study and a future in ministry. These will include gatherings with various Ashland Theological Seminary professors, students and alumni that will encourage you as you explore your calling and journey to seminary and beyond.
Pre-Seminary Acceleration
In your junior year, you can take advantage of the partnership between the Religion Department and Ashland Theological Seminary (ATS) by applying for Pre-Seminary acceleration. This will allow you to start taking seminary classes that simultaneously count toward your B.A. general electives and a variety of non-counseling master’s degrees at ATS. (Students often study Biblical Greek and/or Hebrew to prepare for seminary.
Pre-Art Therapy
Are you eager to combine your creative passion with your curiosity about the human mind? Ashland University’s Fine Art program lays the groundwork of artistic expertise, while our Psychology program equips you for a fulfilling career dedicated to serving others. As a Pre-Art Therapy student, you’ll collaborate with peers from both psychology and fine art disciplines, fostering a rich interdisciplinary environment.
Students interested in Pre-Art Therapy should take a combination of courses found in the Department of Art and Design and the Department of Psychology. Typical requirements for graduate programs in Art Therapy and Counseling include:
- 18 semester hours in studio art to include: Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture
- 12 semester hours in psychology:
- General Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality
- Abnormal Psychology
- Working with people in a human service context (e.g., through an internship) is also recommended.
These requirements can be completed by earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Fine Arts and Psychology. The completion of both degrees is possible within a typical 4- year framework.
