Professional schools are interested in a student’s academic training and accomplishments as measured by the student’s transcripts. The most successful applicants are full-time students (minimum of 12 sh per semester) with a minimum cumulative GPA above 3.5 during the three or four semesters immediately preceding application.

It makes little difference as to the student’s major, although most preprofessional students at UWF select a specialization in biology or chemistry. See the Biology and Chemistry websites for more information the degree options and specific major requirements.

Criteria to be considered in selecting a major are: first, a field within which the student can meet the prerequisites for admission to professional school and for graduation from UWF at a very high performance level; second, a major which provides viable career alternatives; and third, a major which is enjoyable to the student. Professional schools require at the minimum: biology w/laboratory (1 year); mathematics (calculus required or recommended); physics w/laboratory (1 year); and chemistry w/laboratory through organic II (physical therapy requires only one year of chemistry).

Most schools have additional requirements. Courses in anatomy, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, computer techniques, developmental biology, genetics, microbiology, physical chemistry, physiology, psychology, and statistics are also useful and often required. However, a student could major in history, for example, and use electives as a means to complete the entrance requirements. The exact program for each student will depend upon background and interests. A speech course and two courses in animal science are required for admission to veterinary medicine. UWF students generally meet these requirements by registering at the University of Florida as transient students during a summer semester.

Pharmacy and physical therapy schools require at least two years of college and an Associates of Arts degree (A.A.) which include the above required courses.

The other professional schools prefer a bachelor’s degree. Admission Requirements to the Upper- Division Preprofessional Program for Transfer Students Professional training is essentially advanced training in biology. The emphasis on mathematics, physics, and chemistry, as much as biology, facilitates understanding of advanced work. Transfer students should have backgrounds in these four science areas. They also should have 12 sh in the humanities, including English composition, and 12 sh in social sciences, such as psychology and history. College algebra with trigonometry, general chemistry, elementary biology, and zoology or botany are prerequisites for the upper-division science courses.