Pre-engineering. Students planning a successful career in engineering often choose physics as their major at Susquehanna and carefully select courses to prepare them for graduate school or employment in an engineering specialty: bioengineering, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, and mechanical. Professor of Physics Fred Grosse advises students on course selection and career options.

Prelaw. Susquehanna students have an outstanding acceptance and achievement record at a wide variety of law schools across the country. The Law School Admission Council recommends several program emphases for students interested in attending law school. These include oral and written communication, and an understanding of the human institutions and values with which the law deals, as well as logical analysis and critical thinking skills. Traditional foundations for careers in law have been majors in such fields as economics, English, history, philosophy and political science. Business and accounting majors also represent excellent preparations for careers in law. The growing fields of medical and environmental law invite science and psychology majors. Students interested in exploring the law may also want to minor in legal studies. Students should declare this minor as sophomores to ensure that required courses will fit into their program. Susquehanna University has a general articulation agreement with Capital University Law School that guarantees admittance to Susquehanna graduates who meet certain requirements. Susquehanna University has an innovative program to reimburse students for half the cost of taking an LSAT preparation course as part of the law school application process. For information on this and other aspects of the Prelaw Program, contact the prelaw advisor, Associate Professor of Political Science Michele DeMary.

Pre-health professions including pre-medicine, pre-dental, pre-veterinary and others Susquehanna graduates have successfully pursued advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, chiropractic medicine, podiatry, physician assistant and physical therapy programs. The Health Professions Advising Committee, chaired by Assistant Professor of Health Care Studies and Biology Jan Reichard-Brown, coordinates the preparation of students for professional schools in these areas. Students receive career specific advising, as well as assistance with arranging internship opportunities, professional test preparation and the application process.

Successful candidates for admission to medical school and other health professional schools must demonstrate a strong level of competence in science. Most students pursue science majors such as biology, biochemistry, and psychology. However, students can pursue any major, provided they complete the science prerequisites, which commonly include at least two semesters of biology, and one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and, occasionally, one year of math. Students should consult the catalog descriptions pertaining to their majors of interest to determine the recommended sequence of courses. In addition to the academic advising students receive within their major department, the Health Professions Advisor is available to consult with students as they plan schedules and progress through their major. Candidates for professional schools must maintain high grade point averages and score well on profession-specific standardized aptitude tests. Susquehanna students most often take the MCAT, DAT, OAT and PCAT, usually in the spring of the junior year or early in the following summer. A test preparation course is highly recommended for students taking the MCAT and DAT. Susquehanna University has an innovative program to reimburse students for half the cost of taking an MCAT preparation or DAT preparation course as part of their preparation for the application process to either medical or dental school. Students should complete all prerequisite courses by the end of their junior year and must register to take the MCAT or DAT following the preparatory course.

Susquehanna students are encouraged to experience internships and volunteer opportunities which allow them to explore their health career options. Most students design their own experience by working jointly with the health professions advisor and Center for Career Services, or take advantage of service learning and travel options focusing on medicine in Central America. Sophomore and junior years are the ideal times for these internship experiences.

Preministry and Church Occupations. Susquehanna has a special interest in preparing students for service in the church. This service can include the ordained ministry, parish work, diaconal ministry, social ministry and ministry in music. These career goals typically require graduate study.

Preparation for graduate theological study, ministry and church occupations includes academic instruction, spiritual maturation, and experiential learning. While students may major in any field, they are encouraged to emphasize the broadening aspects of the liberal arts. In addition, pre-ministerial students are advised to acquire reading skills in Classical or New Testament (Koiné) Greek and study a language likely to be spoken by those whom they may be called to serve (e.g., Spanish for those with an interest in urban ministries).

Susquehanna’s historic relationship with the Lutheran Church (ELCA) attracts many students to its service, but graduates have also entered service in many other denominations. Chaplain Mark Wm. Radecke can give advice on the many options available in this area.