This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Pre-Professional Health Advising in VCU Career Services prepares students for professional school application through guidance with pre-professional health curriculum, admissions test preparation, co-curricular activity involvement and application competitiveness. The advising and services provided by the office will prepare highly qualified, confident and knowledgeable pre-professional health students for admission to professional health programs. Preparatory programs are available for careers in medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and veterinary medicine. Additionally, a post-baccalaureate health sciences certificate is available to students who have already earned bachelor’s degrees in non-science areas and plan to enter doctoral-level health science training programs.
The office focuses on developing personal and professional competencies which are heralded by the Association of American Medical Colleges. VCU’s pre-professional health advising tracks are not an academic major or minor, but are rather a combination of career development advising coupled with a set of predetermined courses that are widely accepted across the nation for admission requirements. To qualify for and to maintain your status as a “pre-professional health” student at VCU, program requirements are outlined for each student to follow in order to gain access to the benefits of the pre-professional health advising program.
For more information about how to declare and maintain your pre-professional health advising track, please visit the pre-professional health advising webpage.
Pre-law advising program
VCU Career Services supports aspiring law students by offering career advisory services regarding the law school admissions process. Students are offered assistance regarding application procedures and the law school admission test in preparation for the study of law. The Law School Admission Council and the American Bar Association provide comprehensive online information for students regarding preparation for law school, law school admission and accreditation, as well as careers in the legal profession.
As there are no particular prerequisites or a specific major necessary for entrance to law school, students may choose virtually any major or undergraduate program. Traditionally, students applying to law school have pursued liberal arts majors such as history, English, political science, economics, math/sciences or philosophy. Students wishing to specialize in a particular area of law may choose majors from academic disciplines as diverse as art, music, computer science, engineering, nursing, education, business or social work. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for a legal education. Whatever the major, it is important that students considering a career in law take advantage of opportunities to develop research and writing skills. Other skills that provide a sound foundation for a legal education include analytical and problem-solving skills, critical reading abilities, oral communication and listening abilities, task organization and management skills, and the values of serving faithfully the interests of others while also promoting justice.
The Department of Philosophy offers a philosophy of law minor for students interested in law school. It is important that students considering the legal profession take challenging course work in which they can develop analytical, research and written and verbal communication skills.