Many health careers require graduate degrees earned after completing a baccalaureate degree. The Division offers coursework that prepares students for admission to graduate programs in several allied health fields. Requirements for some health-related graduate programs are described below:

There are allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, and students should appreciate both tracks. To enter one of these schools, students must complete at least one year of biology with laboratory, one year of general chemistry with laboratory, one year of organic chemistry with laboratory, one year of physics with laboratory, one year of college mathematics or one semester of calculus, one year of English, and other courses that will help assure success, such as those in advanced communication skills, logic, or computer science, and psychology. In addition, pre-medicine students are advised to take Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Statistics, Psychology, and Sociology. Content from these additional courses appears on the entry exam for medical school (MCAT – Medical College Admission Test).

Pre-Health Professional academic advisors at Kentucky State University work closely with pre-medical students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements for admission to professional schools in a timely manner. Shadowing physicians, volunteer work and summer research work are highly valued for admission. Students will apply through a special website, AMCAS (American Medical College Admission Service) and/or AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service), one year before they desire admission. Students who need more information about a pre-med track should consult the Chairperson of the Division of Mathematics and Sciences or the Pre-Health Professions advisors, as early as their academic careers as possible.

To apply to dental school, students must complete at least two years of biology with laboratory, one year of general chemistry with laboratory, one year of organic chemistry with laboratory, one year of physics with laboratory, one year of college mathematics or one semester of calculus, one year of English, and other courses that will help assure success, such as those in advanced communication skills, logic, or computer science, and psychology.

Pre-Health Professional academic advisors work closely with pre-dental students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements for admission to professional schools in a timely manner. Each applicant is required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), which is designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge of pre-requisite courses. Shadowing dentists, volunteer work and summer research work are highly valued for admission. Students will apply through a special website, ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), one year before they desire admission. Students who need more information about the pre-dental track should consult the Chairperson of the Division of Mathematics and Sciences or the Pre-Health Professions advisors as early as their academic careers as possible.

Optometry is the profession of examining the eyes for defects and faults of refraction, and prescribing corrective lenses or exercises. The Commonwealth of Kentucky sponsors a program that enables 15 qualified pre-optometry students who are Kentucky residents to gain admission each year to the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, and the optometry schools of Indiana University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Eight entering spaces are reserved at Southern, four at Indiana University, and three at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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