Pre-Professional Information

Dentistry

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Mentorship:

In addition to your Fulbright College Academic Advisor, professional mentorship is offered to pre-dentistry students by:

The Fulbright Pre-Dentistry Program
Kathleen Paul, Ph.D. - Director
Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology

UARK Pre-Dental Website (Pre-Dental specific advising information also found here)

 

Fast Facts

Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law. (As adopted by the 1997 ADA House of Delegates)

• Undergraduate Degree: While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major.  Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences, however the number of math and sciences courses required do lead most pre-dentistry students to choose a major in the natural sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework:  Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required.  Common prerequisites include English Composition, General Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II,  and Physics I & II
• Entrance Exams: Dental Admission Test (DAT)
• Application System: American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
• List of Programs: ada.org>Find a Program
• Professional Organizations: American Dental Association (ADA), American Dental Education Association (ADEA)

Medicine

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The Liebolt Pre-Medical Program

In addition to your Fulbright College Academic Advisor, pre-medical students can seek professional mentorship by attending a Liebolt Pre-Medical Group Advising Session.

UARK Pre-Med Website (Pre-med specific advising information also found here):

https://fulbright.uark.edu/programs/liebolt-premedical-program/

 

Fast Facts

Physicians diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill or have been injured. They take medical histories, perform physical examinations, conduct diagnostic tests, recommend and provide treatment, and advise patients on their overall health and well-being. While there are several different types of physicians, they can usually be divided into three broad categories:

• Primary care physicians are the doctors patients usually visit most frequently. They treat a wide range of illnesses and regularly provide preventive care, and they also enjoy long-term relationships with their patients. Pediatricians, family practitioners, and general internists are primary care physicians. 
• Surgeons perform operations to treat diseases and repair injuries.
• Specialists have expertise related to specific diseases, age groups, and bodily organs. Cardiologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, and ophthalmologists are examples of specialists (AAMC).

• Undergraduate Degree: While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major.  Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework:  Every program may differ in the prerequisite coursework required.  Common prerequisites include English Composition, Psychology, Sociology, Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II,  Biochemistry, and Physics I & II
• Entrance Exams: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
• Application System: American Medical College Application Service(AMCAS) or American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)

Occupational Therapy

UARK Occupational Therapy: https://occupationaltherapy.uark.edu/ 

Student Organization and Listserv:

Any student that is interested in a career as a occupational therapist should join the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club by signing up through Hog Sync.  This will sign you up for the student organization and the Pre-OT email listserv.  Both provide vital information and networking opportunities for students. 

Fast Facts

In its simplest terms, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include an individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals, customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, and an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan. Occupational therapy services may include comprehensive evaluations of the client’s home and other environments (e.g., workplace, school), recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use, and guidance and education for family members and caregivers. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team (AOTA.org).

• Undergraduate Degree: While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework:  Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required.  Common prerequisites include General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, General Chemistry I & II, Physics, Statistics, and multiple social sciences including upper-level Psychology courses.
• Entrance Exams: Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Application System: Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)
• List of Programs: AOTA.org > Education & Careers > Find a School
• Professional Organizations: American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Optometry

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Student Organization and Listserv: 

Any student that is interested in a career as an optometrist should join the Pre-Optometry Club by emailing: sxb028@uark.edu.  This will sign you up for the student organization and the pre-optometry email listserv.  Both provide vital information and networking opportunities for students. 

Fast Facts

As primary eye care providers, doctors of optometry examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eyes and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. Optometrists examine the internal and external structure of the eyes to diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders; systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes; and vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. They also determine the patient's ability to focus and coordinate the eyes, to judge depth and to see color accurately.

They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medications to treat eye diseases as well as perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists work in private practices, multidisciplinary medical practices, hospitals, teaching institutions, research positions, community health centers and the ophthalmic industry. Optometrists can also build successful careers in the military, public health or government service. There is a need for optometrists in all types of practice, particularly in the areas of pediatric and gerontological optometry. Practice opportunities exist throughout the U.S. with a particular need in rural areas (AOA).

• Undergraduate Degree: While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework:  Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required.  Common prerequisites include English Composition, General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Calculus, Physics I & II, Statistics, and multiple social sciences including upper-level Psychology courses.
• Entrance Exams: Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
• Application System: Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS)
• List of Programs: opted.org 
• Professional Organizations: American Optometric Association (AOA), Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)

Pharmacy

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Mentorship:

Professional mentorship is offered to pre-pharmacy students by:

Dr. Suresh Thallapuranam (a.k.a T. K. S. Kumar)

Students may contact him at: sthalla@uark.  Students who are committed to a career as an pharmacist will receive guidance on academic planning, admission criteria, and professional experience. 

Student Organization and Listserv:

Any student that is interested in a career as an pharmacist should look in Hogsync for more information about the  Pre-Pharmacy Club.

Fast Facts

Pharmacy is a licensed health profession in which pharmacists provide information regarding medication to consumers and health care professionals. Pharmacists are "medication experts," concerned with disease state management and safe guarding the public's health in matters relating to medication distribution and use.

While responsibilities vary among the different areas of pharmacy practice, the bottom line is that pharmacists help patients get well. Pharmacist responsibilities include a range of care for patients, from dispensing medications to monitoring patient health and progress to maximize their response to the medication. Pharmacists also educate consumers and patients on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, and advise physicians, nurses and other health professionals on drug decisions. Pharmacists also provide expertise about the composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties and their manufacture and use. They ensure drug purity and strength and make sure that drugs do not interact in a harmful way (AACP).

• Undergraduate Degree: While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. In fact, a bachelor’s degree is not always required.  Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences, however the number of math and sciences courses required do lead most pre-pharmacy students to choose a major in the natural sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework:  Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required.  Common prerequisites include English Composition, Public Speaking, Accounting or Economics, General Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, Biochemistry, Calculus, and Physics 
• Entrance Exams: Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
• Application System: Pharmacy Centralized Application Service (PharmCAS)
• List of Programs: pharmcas.org > School Directory 
• Professional Organizations: American Pharmacists Association (APA), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

Physical Therapy

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Student Organization and Listserv:

Any student that is interested in a career as a physical therapist should join the Pre-Physical Therapy Club by signing up at Hog Sync.  This will sign you up for the student organization and the Pre-PT email listserv.  Both provide vital information and networking opportunities for students. 

Fast Facts

Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles (APTA.org)

• Undergraduate Degree: While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework:  Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required.  Common prerequisites include General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, General Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Statistics, and multiple upper-level Psychology courses.
• Entrance Exams: Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Application System: Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
• List of Programs: PTCAS.org > Program Directory
• Professional Organizations: American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT)

Your Action Plan

With all that you now know what goes into a career as a physical therapist, how will you prepare.  As best you can, describe everything you will do (or have done) during each of the following years to prepare to apply to physical therapist programs.  Be as detailed as possible, and include things such as coursework, student organizations, GRE prep, direct patient care hours, mentorship, etc:

Freshman Year?

Sophomore Year?

Junior Year?

Senior Year?

Gap Year (if applicable)? 

Physician Assistant

Student Organization and Listserv:

Any student that is interested in a career as a physician assistant should join the Pre-Physician Assistant Society by signing up at Hog Sync.  This will sign you up for the student organization and the Pre-PA email listserv.  Both provide vital information and networking opportunities for students. 

Fast Facts

A physician assistant (PA) is a medical professional who works as part of a team with a doctor. A PA is a graduate of an accredited PA educational program who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. PAs perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, perform procedures, assist in surgery, provide patient education and counseling and make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes. All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow PAs to practice and prescribe medications (AAPA.org)

• Undergraduate Degree: While a student is expected to excel in the natural and social sciences, most programs do not require a specific major. Students are free to choose the major they prefer, even one outside of the sciences.
• Prerequisite Coursework:  Every program will differ in the prerequisite coursework required.  Common prerequisites include General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Genetics, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry, Statistics, and multiple upper-level Psychology courses.
• Entrance Exams: Some programs may require applicants to submit GRE or MCAT scores
• Application System: Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• List of Programs: PAEAOnline.org > Resources > Physician Assistant Program by state
• Professional Organizations: Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA),  American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

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Is Physician Assistant your Fulbright Future?

If you are serious about your future, and you are ready to get started, then beginning to create your professional portfolio is the next step:

• Research and understand this field
• Use your own system of organization to understand your requirements
• Create a step-by-step plan that fits your career goals, major(s), and minor(s)
• Prepare before meeting with your advisor and/or professional mentor
• Your portfolio will continue to build until eventually you use it to apply to professional schools.

DIRECTIONS:  Use whichever means you are comfortable with to answer the following questions.  Create your own document with each question clearly labeled along with your answers.  Feel free to add your own notes or extra information - this is the beginning of your own personal professional portfolio that will, in just a few years, become your application to physician assistant school.  Make it your own!

The Basics

Physician Assistants perform a unique and vital role within our healthcare system.  There are several resources online that provide an overview of the profession, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the Centralized Application for Schools of Physician Assistant (CASPA), ExploringHealthCareers.org, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Use these resources, along with any others you may find, to answer the following questions:

• In your own words, describe what you will do on a daily basis as a physician assistant.  Provide at least a paragraph.  

• Describe the settings in which physician assistants typically work (clinics, hospitals, etc.).  Which is your preferred setting?

• List the other factors that are important to you about the field.  What is a typical work schedule? What is the average salary? What does the job market look like?  

Your Action Plan

With all that you now know what goes into a career as a physician assistant, how will you prepare.  As best you can, describe everything you will do (or have done) during each of the following years to prepare to apply to physician assistant programs.  Be as detailed as possible, and include things such as coursework, student organizations, GRE prep, direct patient care hours, etc:

Freshman Year?

Sophomore Year?

Junior Year?

Senior Year?

Gap Year (if applicable)? 

Resources

Faculty Advisor for the Pre-Law Society:

Dr. Andrew Dowdle
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Department of Political Science 
428 Old Main
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

UARK Pre-Law information: https://uark.sharepoint.com/teams/HCprelaw (login with your UARK credentials)

Las School Admission Council: https://www.lsac.org/

- National website with information on choosing & applying to a law school, as well as information on the LSAT.

Fast Facts

Overview: There is no single path that will prepare you for a legal education. Students who are successful in law school, and who become accomplished professionals, come from many walks of life and educational backgrounds. Some law students enter law school directly from their undergraduate studies without having had any post-baccalaureate work experience. Others begin their legal education significantly later in life, and they bring to their law school education the insights and perspectives gained from those life experiences. Legal education welcomes and values diversity and you will benefit from the exchange of ideas and different points of view that your colleagues will bring to the classroom. 

Typical Admission Requirements: Please check with individual schools for specific admission requirements, but criteria that may be considered are: 

• Undergraduate GPA
• LSAT score
• Letters of recommendation/evaluations
• Personal statement or essay

Prerequisite Coursework: Prelaw advisor can be helpful in selecting courses that can help you achieve your goal.

: Law School Admission Council (LSAC) 

The School of Law and the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences offer a program that enables outstanding students to enter the School of Law after their third year of college. Students in the Fulbright College are eligible to begin at the School of Law after the completion of at least 94 hours of college work if they have:

• Completed all university, college, and major course requirements for their undergraduate degree;
• Earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50; and
• Received an LSAT score of at least 159.

Such students will receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree after the completion of sufficient hours of School of Law work to meet the regular requirements of the Fulbright College. These students will then receive a J.D. degree after completing the required number of hours of School of Law coursework.

Students pursuing a minor in legal studies will be introduced to the study and application of law by taking law-related courses in a number of disciplines. It provides a focus for students who are interested in the law, whose careers will require a measure of legal knowledge, or for those considering entering law school.

Core Skills and Values:

• Analytic / Problem Solving Skills
• Critical Reading
• Writing Skills
• Oral Communication / Listening Abilities
• General Research Skills
• Task Organization / Management Skills
• Public Service and Promotion of Justice

In addition to the fundamental skills and values listed above, there are some basic areas of knowledge that are helpful to a legal education and to the development of a competent lawyer. Some of the types of knowledge that would maximize your ability to benefit from a legal education include:

• A broad understanding of history, including the various factors (social, political, economic, and cultural) that have influenced the development of our society in the United States.
• A fundamental understanding of political thought and of the contemporary American political system.
• Some basic mathematical and financial skills, such as an understanding of basic pre-calculus mathematics and an ability to analyze financial data.
• A basic understanding of human behavior and social interaction.
• An understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, of international institutions and issues, of world events, and of the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities within our world. 

Students pursuing the legal studies minor are required to take 15 credits from the following list of courses:

AGEC 3503	Agricultural Law I (Fa)	3
BLAW 3033	Commercial Law (Sp)	3
CMJS 2043	Sociology of Criminal Law  (Sp, Fa)	3
CMJS 3503	Criminal Procedures (Irregular)	3
CMJS 3513	Criminal Evidence (Irregular)	3
COMM 4113	Legal Communication (Fa)	3
FDSC 3202	Introduction to Food Law (Sp)	2
JOUR 3633	Media Law (Sp, Fa)	3
OMGT 4313	Law and Ethics (Sp, Su, Fa)	3
PHIL 4143	Philosophy of Law (Irregular)	3
PLSC 3213	The South and the Law: Race, Gender, and Citizenship (Fa)	3
PLSC 3243	The Judicial Process (Fa)	3
PLSC 3813	International Law (Fa)	3
PLSC 4193	Administrative Law (Sp)	3
PLSC 4253	The U.S. Constitution I (Sp)	3
PLSC 4263	The U.S. Constitution II (Irregular)	3

 

Contact Information

Dr. Andrew Dowdle
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Department of Political Science - Old Main
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701