NMU Pre-Professional Programs - Pre-Professional Programs

The School of Health and Human Performance offers a CAATE accredited master of science degree in athletic training. The athletic training master’s degree will be offered through a 3 + 2 program that will award the student a bachelor of science (in sports science) degree and a master of science in Athletic Training when completed.  These students will meet all pre-admission requirements at NMU and apply to the master’s program during the fall semester of their third year. If accepted, the student will begin the master’s program in the summer between their third and fourth years.

Northern Michigan University offers a pre-chiropractic program that follows the criteria established for admission to colleges of chiropractic whose programs are in compliance with the standards, rules and guidelines of the Council on Chiropractic Education. Normally, students must have completed at least 90 semester hours, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50. Courses should be selected with the help of the pre-chiropractic adviser located in the Chemistry Department.

The preclinical psychology course sequence provides coursework recommended or required for admission to graduate counseling or clinical psychology programs. The course sequence closely follows the Mental Health / Pre-Clinical Psychology concentration in the Psychology Major. Other opportunities may be available for students to improve their competitiveness for admission to graduate programs, including opportunities for clinical experience, practice interviews for graduate programs, and a senior thesis. A letter of recommendation from the Preclinical Psychology Advisory Board will be given to students who have performed exceptionally well in their courses and preclinical activities.

Students pursuing this program are assigned to the pre-dental adviser who assists them in selecting the courses required and recommended for admission into dental school and for general advisement on other required pre-dental activities. The choice of major is not restricted and students should choose a major that will interest them and provide a possible career opportunity for them upon graduation. Regardless of the major, students must take the science courses required by dental schools for admission.

NMU offers courses from several departments that provide the foundations for engineering students. These courses, along with the liberal studies courses, comprise the first two years of study at most engineering schools.

Students pursuing this program are assigned to the premedical adviser who assists them in selecting the courses required and recommended for admission into medical school and with general advisement on other required premedical activities. The choice of major is not restricted and students should choose a major that will interest them and provide a possible career opportunity for them upon graduation. Regardless of the major, students must take the science courses required by medical schools for admission.

Students interested in a career in occupational therapy (OT) will need to complete graduate studies in occupational therapy after completing a baccalaureate degree program at NMU. Occupational therapy students must complete either an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) or an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree program before they can become a licensed occupational therapist. Note, hereafter, MSOT and OTD programs will collectively be termed *OT*. It’s up to individual students to apply to OT schools of their choice - whether a school infers a Master’s or Doctorate degree at this time does not affect becoming a licensed OT.

Pre-optometry students who are residents of Michigan normally plan an academic program of three or more years to meet requirements for admission to the College of Optometry at Ferris State University. Those requirements can be completed at Northern Michigan University, specifically courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, psychology, behavioral science, English and humanities. Pre-professional course requirements for the other American optometry schools can also be completed at NMU.

Students wishing to pursue a career in pharmacy must fulfill a doctor of pharmacy program. The prerequisites for the doctor of pharmacy program may be completed at Northern Michigan University.The actual doctor of pharmacy must be earned at one of the nation's pharmacy schools. Within Michigan, the doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) is available from Ferris State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Another option, the Ph.D. in pharmacy, is also available from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, but this degree usually require earning the bachelor’s degree in chemistry or pharmacy first.

Students interested in a career in physical therapy will need to complete graduate studies in physical therapy after completing a baccalaureate degree program at NMU. Similar to medical doctor training, physical therapy students must complete the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program before they can become a licensed physical therapist.

Northern Michigan University offers courses that prepare students for admission to many physician assistant programs. This pre-physician assistant program is similar to the pre-medical program because of the strong emphasis on basic sciences and requisite courses focused on the human body and functions. More advanced courses required for admission to a specific physician assistant program may vary widely depending on the school. Students may have any major but must complete the science courses required for entry to the programs to which they are applying. NMU has an articulation agreement with Central Michigan University's physician assistant program that allows for four NMU students to have a guaranteed interview with a high probability of acceptance into the program on a non-competitive basis providing the students meet all of the admission criteria in the CMU curriculum guide, and minimum GPA requirements.

Pre-veterinary students who are residents of Michigan normally plan an academic program to meet requirements for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Those requirements can be met at Northern Michigan University, where students take specified courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, college composition, social science and humanities. Students are encouraged to earn a bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University by completing a major and minor in such fields as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics or psychology. Other majors are acceptable as long as the specified courses are completed.