Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2019-2020 
    
Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Professions


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Craig Story, Director of Health Professions

Health Professions is a broad term applying to numerous distinct fields, including medical, dental, physician assistant, veterinary, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, etc. Gordon College is committed to helping those interested in the health professions to attain their goal while not compromising on the value of a high-quality traditional liberal arts education. We seek to prepare well-rounded citizens of the world who approach their vocation with a distinctly Christian worldview, who are well prepared for graduate work in health professions and eager to help serve “the least of these” as ministers of Christ.

Serving in health professions is a demanding but rewarding pursuit, and students bound for the required postgraduate training must complete an appropriate program of study to be competitive. Students in any major may apply for medical graduate programs. The health professions program is designed to assist students in choosing and completing the major that best matches their interests while meeting established prerequisites that are unique to each diverse field. Several prerequisite lists appear below. While these tracks list the essential courses required by most programs, the student and advisor will work together to ensure that requirements for particular programs of interest are met. A two-year sequence of Health Professions seminars, required for some tracks and recommended for others, further prepares students through readings, discussion of ethical issues and weekly visits with physicians, medical students, researchers and other health professionals.

Students contemplating the health professions are encouraged to first consider the major they would like to study. The catalog describes each major and lists specific course requirements. Biology, and kinesiology have historically been popular choices because of the relationship of each to different aspects of health care, but any major could potentially be considered. We encourage students to first review major descriptions and contact the major department they are considering. In addition, Dr. Craig Story, Director of Health Professions, can be contacted for more specific information.

Requirements


The following tracks are considered a concentration for biology and kinesiology majors or a minor for all other majors.

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The most competitive premedical preparation would include courses taken by majors in that subject.

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Some programs require additional psychology courses to cover the human lifespan.

Track 3: Pre-Occupational Therapy


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An internship is strongly recommended prior to applying to graduate school.

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Additional requirements vary by school; it is the responsibility of students to make sure that any prerequisites are met.

Track 5: Pre-Pharmacy


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Internship is strongly recommended; documented clinical observation hours often are a prerequisite.

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Significant accumulation (1000 hours) of patient contact hours is a prerequisite for many but not all schools. See specific course requirements for individual schools.

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