Oct 31, 2024  
2024-2025 EIU Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 EIU Undergraduate Catalog

Pre-Health Professions


Pre-Medicine – Allopathic/Osteopathic, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Podiatry, Pre-Physician’s Assistant, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Occupational Therapy
Admission into any of the health professions is very competitive. Students should maintain a high grade point average, obtain leadership skills and exposure to the health profession of interest and make a strong showing on their test scores (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, OAT, or GRE). Although it is not necessary to obtain a baccalaureate degree to gain entrance into some of the health professions, it is highly recommended. Programs leading to the BA or the BS degree in a variety of majors are suitable as long as students complete the prerequisite coursework for their chosen professional health program. Many students select a major in biological sciences; chemistry or biochemistry; communication disorders and sciences; exercise science; health communication; human services; psychology or neuroscience; public health or nutrition & dietetics. When registering, such students must indicate their choice of degree-granting major, and declare Pre-(identify health profession) as a second major. It is recommended that the program be enriched with electives in social and behavioral sciences, humanities, and fine arts. All students interested in a career in a clinical health profession should consult with the University Pre-Health Professions Advisor for information regarding specific admission requirements. More information concerning these programs at EIU is available at https://www.eiu.edu/prehealth/.

Most of the clinical health professions will expect one year of each of the following; English, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics. Many will also expect Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Statistics, Microbiology, and Biochemistry. Be sure to check the health profession of choice for their specific requirements.

Recommended Electives (may be required by some programs)


Chiropractic Medicine


Eastern Illinois University has entered into a “3+3” affiliation agreement with Logan College of Chiropractic and Palmer College of Chiropractic. Both programs offer guaranteed admissions for qualified students to attend after 3 years (90 credits) at Eastern and finish a doctor of Chiropractic degree after 3 additional years at Logan or Palmer. Students who successfully complete the Pre-Chiropractic Program at EIU with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and meet all other criteria for admission shall be accepted at Palmer or Logan Colleges. Upon completion of the first year of studies at Logan and Palmer, a maximum of 34 credits may be transferred back to EIU toward completion of credits required for the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree at Eastern. More information concerning this program at EIU is available at http://www.eiu.edu/~premed/.