Midland has formal dual degree programs in cooperation with Palmer College of Chiropractic, and Cleveland Chiropractic College. These programs allow students to begin their studies at Midland and complete degrees both at Midland and the partnering institution. See specific programs for details.

Midland offers 3+1 degree programs in a number of healthcare professions. Students complete three years at Midland, including core and program specific prerequisites. After completing the first year of an approved professional program, students are awarded the Bachelor of Science degree from Midland. See details under the Medical Arts (3+1) major.

Pre-Professional Programs

The following pre-professional programs of study require from one to four years of preparation at Midland University, followed by transfer to the professional school, which offers the specialized training. Since requirements change from year to year and vary from school to school, it is important that the student work closely with Midland’s faculty mentors and academic advisors. Early identification of the professional school to be attended facilitates planning for specific entrance requirements.

Pre-Health Programs

Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractic is a branch of medical science, which attempts to alleviate health problems by adjustments of the relationship between the nervous system and the spinal column. A minimum of 60 credits is required for admission to a college of chiropractic. Most of the successful applicants have three (3) or more years of undergraduate academic work. A minimum of two (2) semesters should be completed in chemistry, physics, and biology, with special emphasis on anatomy and physiology. Math, English, psychology, social science, and humanities courses should be included in the program of studies.

Midland has formal dual degree programs in cooperation with Palmer College of Chiropractic, (Iowa, California, and Florida) and Cleveland Chiropractic College (Kansas City and Los Angeles). Students in this program study three years at Midland, then transfer to Palmer or Cleveland College. After completing the first year at Palmer or Cleveland, students in this program earn a B.S. degree from Midland University. After completing the full program at Palmer or Cleveland, students receive a Doctorate of Chiropractic. See details under the Medical Arts (3+1) degree. Interested students should contact the Liaison Faculty.

Dentistry

Students who plan to enter the field of dentistry must meet the entrance requirements of the professional program in which they plan to enter. Most dental schools require a minimum of 90 semester hours of academic work (excluding physical education). Beyond the required basic science courses, students are encouraged to supplement their education with study in the social sciences, humanities, and mathematics. Although most students will major in Biology, or Chemistry, majors in Psychology, English, and Religion are also applicable. Midland assists interested students in designing a program so that all basic requirements for application to professional school have been met by the end of the junior year. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required for admission. Most students take this test the fall before they plan to submit their application.

Medicine

Although most students who plan to enter medicine major in a science, a major in any field is acceptable to most medical schools, provided certain basic science courses are included. Pre-medical study must include undergraduate courses in English, physics, math, biology, genetics, and inorganic, organic and biochemistry. Students should acquire a broad general education by taking courses in the humanities, mathematics, and the social sciences. Admission requirements of the medical college of your choice should be reviewed carefully. Medical programs generally require at least 90 credits, an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher, and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help people overcome physical and psychosocial dysfunctions and enabling them to perform everyday tasks. Students interested in occupational therapy should consider a wide range of academic preparation involving natural sciences, behavioral sciences, and humanities. Midland offers an excellent pre-professional program. Students interested in occupational therapy should visit with the coordinator to ensure that their program will meet the prerequisites for admission to the school to which they may want to transfer. Many professional programs require a Bachelor’s degree in addition to significant observation hours.

Optometry

Doctors of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures. At least three (3) years of pre-optometric study is required to attend a school or college of optometry. Preference is often given to applicants with baccalaureate or higher degrees. Students interested in optometry should contact their advisor and the optometry school of their choice for specific information about entrance requirements. The Optometry Admission Test is required for admission and most interested students take this test the fall before they submit their application to the professional school.

Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is one of the healing arts and practitioners are certified to provide complete health services. It is based on the premise that health is a matter of the entire body and that the muscular and skeletal systems are of prime importance in the proper functioning of all the body systems. An important dimension of osteopathic training is manipulative therapy. Admission to colleges of osteopathic medicine is competitive. Most of those accepted for admission have completed four (4) years of an undergraduate program including coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics.

Midland is a participant in the A.T. Still-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Still Scholar’s Early Acceptance Program, which reserves a spot in the program as long as specific requirements are upheld. Requirements include prerequisite courses with no grade lower than a B (B- is not accepted), a cumulative and science GPA of 3.4 or higher and more than 200 hours of clinical/patient interaction. A.T. Still does not require the MCAT, but many other osteopathic programs do. Students interested in osteopathic medicine should consult their advisor and the college of their choice about specific requirements.

Pharmacy

To practice pharmacy, students must complete a four-year doctorate program of study at a college accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education and pass a licensure examination. Entrants to Pharmacy programs typically have at least three, preferably four years (90-120 credits), of pre-pharmacy education in mathematics and basic sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics. The average GPA for accepted students is around a 3.5. Students should be sure to complete the specific requirements of the pharmacy college they wish to attend. Most pharmacy colleges require students to present scores from the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).

Physician Assistant

Although the precise professional role of a physician’s assistant varies with the supervising physician, individuals in this field are prepared to collect medical histories, perform routine laboratory tests, administer treatments prescribed by the physician, and carry out other functions in keeping with their education. There are opportunities to specialize in such fields as oncology, surgery, and transplants. Most programs require a baccalaureate degree for admission but applicants are strongly urged to check specific requirements of the college or university they wish to attend. Most professional programs also require the student to document significant observation hours. The program of studies is similar to that of medical students, with heavy emphasis on the basic sciences and electives chosen from the social and behavioral sciences. Overall GPA of applicants is around a 3.4, but the average cumulative GPA of accepted students is around a 3.7. Students are required to submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

Physical Therapy

Those wishing to attend a school of physical therapy should plan on a minimum of three years of prerequisite work (90 credits) with many students completing a four-year undergraduate program. Minimal prerequisites should include at least two courses of anatomy and physiology, two courses of chemistry and two courses of physics. Accepted students generally have a GPA of around a 3.7 and have documented patient interaction hours. They should confer with the school of their choice regarding specific requirements for admission. Many colleges share programs whereby a student can take three years of pre-physical therapy training and then transfer to a college of medicine for three more years and receive a doctoral degree in physical therapy. Students are expected to submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

Podiatry

Podiatry is the branch of the medical arts, which deals with the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and disorders of the human foot. This treatment may be by medical, surgical, mechanical, and physical means. Students interested in podiatry should contact their advisor and the college of their choice about specific requirements. A minimum of 90 semester hours is required for entrance into a college of podiatric medicine. Most successful applicants have completed at least the bachelor’s degree. Most colleges require the MCAT.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapists are trained in the use of high energy x-rays in the treatment of cancer and non-malignant conditions. A minimum of 35 credits is required for entrance into many programs. Students generally complete 3 years at Midland and then gain acceptance into and complete a Radiation Therapy program for their fourth year. The fourth year can be transferred back to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Arts (3+1) from Midland along with a bachelor’s degree from the Radiation Therapy program.

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists are trained in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventative care of patients with cardio/pulmonary conditions. The pre-respiratory therapy area of study is designed in collaboration with Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) and Midland University’s College of Health Professions. Students complete two years of prerequisite courses while enrolled at Midland University. Upon meeting admission requirements to NMC, students transfer to NMC’s respiratory therapy program to complete the final two years of study.  Upon completion of the third year of study students earn an Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy. Students earn the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from NMC upon completion of the fourth year of online study.

*Course can be taken online via an agreement between Midland University and Nebraska Methodist College. Students will be registered for COM240: Special Topics in Communications at Midland.

Veterinary Science

A minimum of 90 credits is required for admission into most schools of veterinary medicine; a baccalaureate degree is highly recommended. Course requirements are similar to those required for entry into medical school, with emphasis on courses in English, physics, biology, organic and inorganic chemistry expanded by a broad education. Accepted students generally have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students are expected to submit GRE or MCAT scores. Suggested additional courses of study:

Pre-Law Programs

In accordance with recommendations from the Association of American Law Schools, Midland recognizes that the best preparation for law school is a general liberal arts education. Therefore, the Pre-Law Program is designed to allow the student intending to enter law school flexibility to study in areas of greatest interest to the student while developing those skills necessary to prepare the student for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), required for admission into most law schools, and to be successful in future studies and a law career.

Students work closely with their advisor to create a program of study, which will provide the student with a broad foundation in the liberal arts, as well as the opportunity to develop particular skills necessary for training in the law. Every pre-law student’s individualized program of study aims toward the following objectives recommended by the Association of American Law Schools:
●       Development of both written and oral communication skills, including facility in comprehension and expression of the English language;
●       Acquisition of a thorough, critical understanding of human institutions and values; and
●       Development of creative, critical, and analytical thinking skills.