Pre-Professional

Pre-Professional Advising

Our pre-professional advising services provide guidance to students interested in applying to professional schools in the following fields:

Pre-Athletic Training

• Undergraduate Degree — Most programs require students to have a bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, biology or a related area.
• Prerequisite Coursework — Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required. Common prerequisites include Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Biology, Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Chemistry, Physics, and General Psychology.
• Application System — Athletic Training Centralized Application System
• List of Programs — Search accredited Athletic Training programs through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.
• Professional Organizations — National Athletic Trainers' Association
• U of A Student Organization — Register to join the Arkansas Athletic Training Student Association Registered Student Organization through HogSync.
• Additional Resources — Current University of Arkansas students can access the Pre-Athletic Training (SharePoint) for additional information. Learn more about the University of Arkansas Athletic Training Program.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

• Undergraduate Degree — While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework — Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required. Common prerequisites include General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, General Chemistry I & II, Physics, Statistics, and multiple social sciences including upper-level Psychology courses.
• Application System — Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service
• List of Programs — Search accredited Occupational Therapy programs through the American Occupational Therapy Association Directory.
• Professional Organizations — American Occupational Therapy Association
• U of A Student Organization — Register to join the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club Registered Student Organization through HogSync.
• Additional Resources — Download the Occupational Therapy Admission Timeline (PDF) and Pre-Occupational Therapy Advising Worksheet (PDF). Current University of Arkansas students can access the Pre-Occupational Therapy (SharePoint) for additional information. Learn more about the joint University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Occupational Therapy Program.

Pre-Physical Therapy

• Undergraduate Degree — While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework — Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required. Common prerequisites include General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, General Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Statistics, and multiple upper-level Psychology courses.
• Entrance Exams — Graduate Record Examination
• Application System — Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service
• List of Programs — Search accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs through the PTCAS Program Directory.
• Professional Organizations — American Physical Therapy Association and World Confederation for Physical Therapy
• U of A Student Organization — Register to join the Pre-Physical Therapy Club Registered Student Organization through HogSync.
• Additional Resources — Download the Physical Therapy Admission Timeline (PDF) and the Pre-Physical Therapy Advising Worksheet (PDF). Current University of Arkansas students can visit the Pre-Physical Therapy (SharePoint) for additional information.

Pre-Physician Assistant

• Undergraduate Degree — While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework — Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required. Common prerequisites include General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Genetics, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry, Statistics, and multiple upper-level Psychology courses.
• Entrance Exams — Some programs may require applicants to submit GRE or MCAT scores.
• Application System — Central Application Service for Physician Assistants
• List of Programs — Search accredited Physican Assistant programs through the Physican Assistant Education Association Directory.
• Professional Organizations — Physician Assistant Education Association and American Academy of Physician Assistants
• U of A Student Organization — Register to join the Pre-Physician Assistant Society Registered Student Organization through HogSync.
• Additional Resources — Download the Physician Assistant Admission Timeline (PDF) and the Pre-Physician Assistant Advising Worksheet (PDF). Current University of Arkansas students can access the Pre-Physican Assistant (SharePoint) for additional information.

Interested in Other Pre-professional Health Programs?

• Pre-Medical — The University of Arkansas Liebolt Premedical Program has a variety of resources and advisors. Register to join the Pre-Med Hogs Registered Student Organization through HogSync. Current University of Arkansas students can visit the Pre-Medical Program (SharePoint) for additional information.
• Pre-Dentistry — Kathleen Paul, Ph.D. is the pre-dental advisor on campus. You should reach out to her as soon as you become interested in a career in dentistry. She maintains a very useful website. Register to join the Pre-Dental Society Registered Student Organization through HogSync. Current University of Arkansas students can visit the Pre-Dentistry (SharePoint) for additional information.
• Pre-Pharmacy — Suresh Thallapuranam (a.k.a. T.K.S. Kumar, Ph.D.) is the pre-pharmacy advisor on campus. Register to join the Pre-Pharmacy Society Registered Student Organization through HogSync. Current University of Arkansas students can visit the Pre-Pharmacy (SharePoint) for additional information.
• Pre-Optometry — Shane Barker, Ed.D. is the pre-optometry advisor on campus. Register to join the Pre-Optometry Club Registered Student Organization through HogSync. Current University of Arkansas students can visit the Pre-Optometry (SharePoint) for additional information.
• Pre-Veterinary — Visit the Bumpers Animal Science Department vet school information page. Register to join the Pre-Vet Club Registered Student Organization through HogSync.