Health Sciences
Programs
Undergraduate programs
Preallied Health
Advising and preprofessional courses are available for students preparing for careers in many areas of allied health including dental hygiene, chiropractic medicine, radiologic technology and other fields. Students should obtain a current catalog of the professional schools they plan to apply to and, together with their advisor, devise a program of study that will maximize their experience at Harding and prepare them for admission to their chosen professional school. A Clinical Observation Program is available for students to gain experience in the field of their interest.
Predentistry
Premedical Technology
Premedicine
Preoccupational Therapy
Adviser: Tia Stone
The majority of occupational therapy programs require a bachelor’s degree. Students may elect any major so long as certain prerequisite courses are completed. Many occupational therapy programs require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and several hours of observing a licensed occupational therapist. Although the courses listed below are a good basis for a preoccupational therapy program, students should research the schools to which they intend to apply to be sure they complete all requirements. The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. maintains a web site at www.aota.org which includes links to all accredited occupational therapy programs.
Preoptometry
A Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree is required to work as an optometrist. Most schools of optometry require three years (90 credits) of undergraduate work for admission, although some schools require a bachelor’s degree. The University's course catalog provides an academic plan for the first three years of undergraduate coursework.
Prepharmacy
Schools of pharmacy typically require two or three years of preprofessional course work before application to pharmacy school. Most schools of pharmacy require a strong GPA and relatively high scores on the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). The PCAT may be taken in January, July, or September. Since the College of Pharmacy at Harding has “rolling admissions,” it is to the student’s advantage to take the PCAT as early as he or she feels ready. The University's course catalog outlines the entrance requirements of the Harding University College of Pharmacy.
Prephysical Therapy
Prephysician Assistant
The majority of physician assistant programs grant a master’s degree, although there are still certificate and bachelor’s degree programs. About three-fourths of all students entering a physician assistant program have already completed a bachelor’s degree. No particular major is required, but a strong science background is desirable and certain prerequisite courses must be completed. Although the courses listed below are a good basis for many physician assistant programs, students should research the schools to which they intend to apply to be sure they complete all requirements.
Harding University’s Physician Assistant Program is a master’s-level program and requires a bachelor’s degree for admission. Additional information regarding Harding’s program can be found at harding.edu/pa.
Preveterinary Medicine
Most preveterinary students at Harding choose to major in biology, although other majors are acceptable assuming that all of the prerequisite courses are taken for the veterinary schools to which the student wishes to apply. Veterinary schools usually require scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) as part of the application. Information regarding the application process and veterinary medicine programs can be obtained from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges at www.aavmc.org. Residents of Arkansas should visit www.arkansashighered.com/arheg for information on grants for attending a veterinary school in another state.