Pre-Professional Programs The University of Bridgeport is committed to providing the appropriate education and guidance to those students for whom the baccalaureate degree is but a steppingstone to the completion of a professional degree in the health sciences or law. To this end the University has established a Pre-Law and a Pre-Health advisory program. Pre-Law Professional Studies Pre-Law Studies Advisor: Hans van der Giessen Arnold Bernhard Center, Room 810 (203) 576-4398 Admission to law school is not accomplished by meeting a pre-determined set of requirements, other than a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. No particular major is favored or recommended, but the most commonly pursued undergraduate disciplines are in the liberal arts. The University of Bridgeport's Bachelor of Elective Studies degree provides students with the opportunity to create a program, in consultation with their advisor, that may more precisely fit the needs of the pre-law student. Accredited schools of law do require, however, that applicants take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and virtually all require a personal essay. The percentile score achieved on the LSAT, the cumulative grade point average earned as an undergraduate, and the personal essay form the foundation of the admission decision process. The College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies has constituted a Pre-Law Faculty Advisory Council consisting of individuals with significant experience in the law or pre-law studies. Pre-Law students will be referred to an appropriate advisor who will counsel students in the area of course selection, LSAT preparation, law school selection, and the preparation of the law school application. Pre-Health Professional Studies Advisor to Pre-Health: Robert Singletary Dana Hall, Room 142 (203) 576-4271 Advisor to Pre-Chiropractic: Laura Hildreth Chiropractic Building (203) 576-4352 The major categories for Pre-Health Professional Studies are Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, and Pre-Veterinary Studies. Virtually all of the professional schools in these fields have the same minimum requirements, and these normally include 8 hours of laboratory biology, 8 hours of general and 8 hours of inorganic chemistry, and 8 hours of laboratory physics. Beyond these, requirements may differ slightly depending on the health profession that is being pursued. The largest percentage of students admitted to health professional graduate studies majored in biology, and chemistry is the second most common major, but students majoring in disciplines as diverse as history, music or psychology are also viable candidates provided that they satisfy the pre-requisites of the professional school to which they seek admission. The University of Bridgeport's Bachelor of Elective Studies degree provides students with the opportunity to create a program, in consultation with their advisor, that may more precisely fit the needs of the pre-health professional student. It should be noted that pre-health professional studies in any of the enumerated categories also provides an excellent foundation for other careers in the health sciences, including naturopathy, osteopathy, podiatry, physical therapy, optometry, and pharmacy. The College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies has constituted a Pre-Health Professional Advisory Council consisting of individuals with significant experience in health studies. Pre-Health Professional students will be referred to an appropriate advisor from this council who will advise students in the area of course selection, relevant entrance examination preparation, the selection of an appropriate school, as well as with the preparation of the application(s) to the chosen institution(s).