Health Sciences Programs

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.

Admission to dental schools requires a minimum of three years of college and satisfactory GPA and Dental Admissions Test scores. However, preference is given to those with a bachelor’s degree. If you're interested in applying to a dental school after three years of college, you can pick an academic track outlined in our course catalog for that path. Upon request, we will confer the bachelor of science degree with a major in general science for students who complete two years in an approved school of dentistry and who satisfy the other requirements for graduation.

Most schools of medicine require for admission a minimum of three years of college work with a strong GPA and relatively high scores on the Medical College Admissions Test; preference is given to those who have a bachelor’s degree. Upon request, Harding will confer the bachelor of science degree with a major in general science on students who complete two years in an approved school of medicine and who complete the liberal arts and premedical requirements at Harding. Although students may choose any major, the University's course catalog outlines an academic plan for the first three years.

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 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.

A Doctor of Optometry 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.

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. 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.

Students should obtain admissions requirements to the schools they plan to apply to and arrange curriculum accordingly. Information regarding all accredited physical therapy programs may be found at www.apta.org. Students are also encouraged to contact the prephysical therapy advisor for guidance in planning coursework. Although students may choose from a variety of majors, the University's catalog outlines courses that should be included in the academic plan.

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.

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 or the Graduate Record Exam 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.

The Carr College of Nursing, Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration and the College of Bible and Ministry offer an interdisciplinary minor in health missions. View the University catalog for more information.