PRE-PROFESSONAL PROGRAMS AT EUREKA

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a growing profession employing individuals interested in using art to help others. Professionals in the field work in schools, clinics, and hospital settings, or as independent therapists. Eureka College offers a pre-professional program combining studies in the visual arts and psychology with internship experiences in art therapy. It is expected that most students will continue their studies in this field at the Master’s degree level; however, beginning opportunities for employment may be available upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree level.

The course of study listed below adheres to the prerequisite guidelines set by the American Art Therapy Association for entrance to Master’s degree programs in art therapy. Students interested in pursuing a career in art therapy should complete the following course of study:

Nursing

Eureka College is affiliated with three Central Illinois nursing institutions:  OSF St. Francis College of Nursing in Peoria; Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, School of Nursing in Peoria, and St. John’s College, Department of Nursing in Springfield.  The program affiliation means that full-time students, after two years of selected courses at Eureka College, may be admitted to the B.S. in Nursing at one of the affiliated Colleges of Nursing.  Two additional program years of study are required to obtain their degree.

Pre-Actuarial

Students interested in an actuarial career will normally major in Mathematics or Computer Science, with additional courses in Business Administration. Courses involved in the pre-actuarial program, which prepare the student for the actuary exams, are:

Pre-Law

Although certain courses are recommended for students preparing to go on to law school after graduation from Eureka, there is no one prescribed major. Law schools are seeking students who perform well on the Law School Admission Test (normally taken in the summer between the junior and senior years) and who have an excellent record in their undergraduate program regardless of their specific major.

To assure that Pre-Law students are guided in their programs, advisors work closely with them in discussing potential majors and selection of other courses, and assist them in knowing how to prepare for the LSAT.  Students who wish to major in History and Political Science may choose the Political Science track with Pre-Law emphasis, which will appear on the student’s transcript.

Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry and Pre-Veterinary

The student entering one of the pre-professional areas will usually major in biology or chemistry. However, a student from any major may be accepted as long as he/she has the specific prerequisite courses for the professional school and successful performance on the professional admissions test in his/her area. Most medical, dental, and veterinary schools require two years of chemistry, one year of biology, one year of physics, and psychology including at least PSY101; some require mathematics through Calculus II. These requirements can be fulfilled by completing:

Professional schools may have additional requirements in biology, chemistry, or the social sciences. Students are encouraged to consult specific professional schools early and tailor their course of study accordingly. Most of these courses should be completed by the second semester of the junior year in order to be properly prepared for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or DAT in the case of Dentistry.

Pre-Ministry

Professional ministry can take the form of hospital chaplaincy, social work, education, music and the arts – as well as traditional parish ministry. There is no single required course of studies for the pursuit of professional ministry. However, the College offers a Pre-seminary Studies Track through the Philosophy and Religion major that is designed to help students discern their vocational direction in the ministry, as well as to provide students with an academic foundation for success in graduate seminary education. Please consult the Philosophy and Religion major for details >

Pre-Music Therapy

The music therapy profession employs individuals who are interested in using music to help others. The Pre-Music Therapy program is a pre-professional program which will facilitate entrance into Master’s degree programs in Music Therapy. Students interested in pursuing a career in music therapy should complete the following course of study: