OUR PHILOSOPHY

Academic success is an important aspect of the journey to become a healthcare professional. At Sewanee, we are committed to helping you be successful in the classroom as well as creating an atmosphere of support that allows you to grow as a person. We know each student has unique goals, be that in sports, student life, leadership, or living and learning abroad. Our pre-health program helps students learn to balance and engage with both academic and extracurricular activities. Each student is on their own path, and our advisors are here to mentor and guide them on that path. 

YOUR MAJOR

At Sewanee all students select a major in their second year on campus, giving you plenty of time to determine the right fit for you. We encourage students to major in a subject they are passionate about, be that in the art, STEM, or humanities. Prior to major selection, you will be actively taking courses that will satisfy the prerequisite courses requirements for your professional school of choice, thus it is important to get started right away with your pre-health coursework to allow for the most flexibility for your major and elective courses.  Know that many of these courses will serve overlapping roles and that college is a time for exploration of new subjects.   

PRE-HEALTH CURRICULUM

Each student has a unique pre-health path directed by individual goals and aspirations. Coursework is no exception; every student has the opportunity to work with a pre-health advisor to create an individualized plan that satisfies the pre-health requirements and explores coursework outside the pre-health curriculum. 

Incoming first-year students' focus should be on a balanced schedule that includes pre-health foundational courses, general education courses, and language. 

Recommended Courses for First Year Students

Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

Students are strongly encouraged to complete this course within the first year if not the first semester. Chemistry is very important to complete during the first year as it is a two-year-long sequence, and chemistry courses are prerequisites for required upper-level biology courses.

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete two years of chemistry with lab after this course

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Biology
BIOL 133

Students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year at Sewanee as this is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. This course is offered every semester, so completion during the first semester is not necessary.

English
ENGL 101

Many dental, medical, pharmacy and vet schools require two courses in the English or humanities fields. Students are encouraged to consider taking ENGL 101 during the first semester as it will satisfy a general education requirement as well as the prerequisite.

Calculus
MATH 101/102

Math health professional schools require math course in either calculus or statistics. Calculus is often not required, so it does not need to be prioritized during the first year unless it is a requirement for a desired major. 

Although credit may be received for successful AP Calculus exam scores, not all professional schools accept AP credit for required prerequisite courses. It is recommended to research schools of interest to further understand particular math requirements.

Statistics
STAT 204

Statistics is recommended by many health professional schools and is helpful for entrance exams (i.e. MCAT/DAT/PCAT).

STAT 204 is offered every semester, and completion within the first year is not necessary.

Nursing

Psychology
PSYC 100/101

Upper-level psychology courses are often required for many nursing schools, and PSYC 101/100 is a prerequisite for the required upper-level courses.

This is also a very popular course at Sewanee and is difficult to schedule after the first year as the course fills quickly.

Biology
BIOL 180

Human nutrition is required by many nursing schools. 

This course is difficult to schedule in later years due to popularity, so early completion is very helpful.

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

Chemistry is important to complete during the first year as general chemistry is often and is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. 

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete an additional chemistry with lab after this course.

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Occupational and Physical Therapy

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

OT and PT students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year. Many schools require two semesters of introductory chemistry, and it is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses such as human anatomy.

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete an additional chemistry with lab after this course.

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Biology
BIOL 133

Students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year at Sewanee as this is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. This course is offered every semester, so completion during the first semester is not necessary.

Psychology
PSYC 100/101

Upper-level psychology courses are often required for many OT and PT schools. PSYC 101/100 is an important course to complete early as it is a prerequisite for the required upper-level courses. 

This is also a very popular course at Sewanee and is difficult to schedule after the first year as the course fills quickly.

Physicians Assistant

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

Chemistry is important to complete during the first year as several semesters are required for many PA schools and is a prerequisite for required upper level biology courses. 

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete an additional chemistry with lab after this course

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Psychology
PSYC 100/101

Upper-level psychology courses are often required for many PA schools, and PSYC 101/100 is a prerequisite for the required upper-level courses.

This is also a very popular course at Sewanee and is difficult to schedule after the first year as the course fills quickly.

Biology
BIOL 133

Students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year at Sewanee as this is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. This course is offered every semester, so completion during the first semester is not necessary.