Lewis University offers one of the premier pre-professional Biology degree programs in the Midwest.

Lewis Biology graduates have averaged 85% placement into their professional school of choice over the past five years.

Lewis' Biology degree program is the perfect pre-professional preparation to ensure your future success, with a very specific set of pre-requisite courses required by every Health Professions program. In fact, matriculation studies have shown there is no undergraduate program more successful at preparing students across all Health Professions than Biology. Whether you're looking to enter the healthcare workforce straight after Lewis, or continue on to graduate school, Lewis' Pre-Health Profession programs are the perfect choice for you.

Pre-Health Professions

Note: Degree completion does not guarantee your acceptance into graduate Health Professions programs. Each institution has a selection committee who reviews applications and interviews qualified applicants. The more successful elective coursework you complete in the Biological Sciences, the better. Students in these programs must plan each semester's course of studies with their Pre-Professional Advisor within the Biology department.

Pre-Chiropractic (Doctoral Option)

Chiropractors treat patients whose health problems originate in the spine. Treatment options include adjustment of the spine, exercise, and nutrition.

Doctor of Chiropractic 3+3 Partners
Our 3+3 program provides qualified students intending to pursue the chiropractic profession with an opportunity to complete their Biology, B.S. from Lewis and their Doctor of Chiropractic degree in six years, rather than the usual seven.

Note: Lewis' articulation agreements with the following schools allow for preferential consideration during the admission process, but do not guarantee your entrance into the program.

Pre-Dentistry (Doctoral Option)

As the link between good oral health and good systemic health becomes clearer, the role of a dentist as health care professional is becoming more important than ever. Lewis' Biology program is the perfect undergraduate preparation for dental school after Lewis, upon where you will attain either a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree.

Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) 4 + 4 Partner
With this 4 + 4 program, you will have a complete undergraduate experience at Lewis University, earning your Biology degree before moving on to your secured seat in LECOM鈥檚 Doctor of Dental Medicine program.

Pre-Medicine (Doctoral Option)

(Includes Allopathic, Osteopathic and Podiatric Medicine) Lewis' Biology program is the perfect undergraduate preparation for Medical School. Our alumni include practicing M.D.s and D.O.s who are happy to advise our undergraduates. Plus, your Faculty Advisor will work with you every semester (including before registration) to help you choose a specific sequence of courses that will best prepare you for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and success in Med School.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) 4 + 4 Partner
Lewis offers high school seniors a unique dual admittance opportunity to simultaneously enroll in both undergraduate studies at Lewis and medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. While the admittance pool for medical school is fiercely competitive, enrollment in this 4 + 4 program secures your seat in med school as a high school senior.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists help individuals maximize their independence, satisfaction, and participation in everyday life activities and home, work, school and in the community. Lewis鈥� Biology program will prepare you to succeed in any of the 120+ master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs in the field, including our new Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Pre-Optometry (Doctoral Option)

Optometrists diagnose eye diseases and vision problems, as well as prescribe drugs, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Gaining licensure in the field of optometry requires a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an accredited program, in addition to passing the clinical State board and written exam (where applicable). Currently, there are 17 schools of optometry in the U.S. in which to complete your studies after Lewis.

Doctor of Optometry (D.O.) 4 + 4 Partner
Lewis offers high school seniors a unique dual admittance opportunity to simultaneously enroll in both undergraduate studies at Lewis and optometry school at Chicago College of Optometry 鈥� Midwestern University in Downers Grove.


Pre-Pharmacy (Doctoral Option)

Pharmacists are health professionals, who possess a deep understanding of medications and their uses, and can speak confidently with both doctors and patients about the drugs in question. Our Biology, B.S. degree program is the perfect preparation to maximize your performance on the PCAT admissions test, and to make you more competitive in the applicant pool for your Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree program that will follow your time at Lewis.

Doctor of Pharmacy 2+4 Partner
Lewis offers high school seniors a unique dual admittance opportunity to simultaneously enroll in both undergraduate studies at Lewis and pharmacy school at Chicago College of Pharmacy at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Ill. Our 2+4 program provides qualified students intending to pursue the Pharmacy profession with an opportunity to complete their Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 6 years, rather than the usual seven.

Doctor of Pharmacy 4 + 4 and 4 + 3 Partner
With the 4 + 4 program, you will have a complete undergraduate experience at Lewis University, earning your Biology degree before moving on to your secured seat in LECOM鈥檚 Doctor of Pharmacy program. LECOM also offers a 4 + 3 program option, including a year-round three-year curriculum enabling you to earn your degree and enter the pharmacy profession one year earlier. Both programs offer the same coursework, credit hours and pharmacy practice experience.

Doctor of Pharmacy 4 + 4 and 4 + 3 Partner
In this unique partnership with Roosevelt University's College of Pharmacy, qualified students make applications to Roosevelt University after completing at least one semester in the Biology program as a full-time student. If accepted by Roosevelt, the student in the accelerated three-year program would complete all specified pre-requisites, including all university general education courses, in three years. Provided the student maintains a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (2.75 in the major), with no grade less than a “C,” they would matriculate to Roosevelt University in the fall of the fourth year to begin their doctoral studies in Pharmacy. 

While at Roosevelt, students take coursework with a distinctly clinical focus, alongside dedicated, skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals. Specific courses from the first year would be transferred back to Lewis University to allow students to complete their B.S. in Biology after four years.  Students who are admitted to the four-year program would simply complete their B.S. in Biology at Lewis University and, provided they meet the same GPA requirements (3.0 cum; 2.75 major), would matriculate to Roosevelt University upon graduation. 

Pre-Podiatry (Doctoral Option)

Podiatry is a highly specialized area of medicine, devoted to the study of human movement, primarily in regards to the foot and ankle. Lewis' Biology, B.S. degree program is the perfect preparation before your four-year Doctoral program, upon which you will be awarded the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree.

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine 3+4 Partners
Our 3+4 program provides qualified students intending to pursue the podiatric profession with an opportunity to complete their Biology, B.S. from Lewis and their Doctor of Podiatry degree in seven years, rather than the usual eight.

Note: Lewis' articulation agreements with the following schools allow for preferential consideration during the admission process, but do not guarantee your entrance into the program.

Pre-Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants (P.A.s) practice medicine under the supervision of a physician - the level of oversight which varies from state to state. Upon completion of your master's degree (and sometimes, a residency period) at any of more than 130 accredited P.A. programs, you will be able to practice in nearly any specialty available to the Allopathic or Osteopathic graduate.

Pre-Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists use physical methods such as exercise, massage, heat/cold therapy, manipulation and traction to strengthen muscles and alleviate patient pain and disease. The goal of the Physical Therapist is not only patient recovery, but to prevent future injuries. Most Physical Therapy programs now require Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degrees, typically a 3 to 3 1/2 year endeavor after Lewis.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary practitioners can choose from a plethora of specializations in the healthcare of pets and livestock, as well as zoo, sporting and laboratory animals. Practicing as a veterinarian requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree and licensure from one of the 28 highly competitive 4-year veterinary medicine colleges in the nation.

CASPer Testing

Developed by researchers in Ontario, Canada, CASPer is “an online screening tool designed to evaluate key personal and professional characteristics that make for successful students and graduates.”聽 This tool has recently been implemented for use in several medical schools across the United States as another mechanism by which to evaluate potential admits.聽 Currently, medical, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary, dental, and nursing programs in Canada are also using this tool.

CASPer testing does come with a fee which is paid by the student.聽 For additional information, please go to: https://takecasper.com/about-casper/

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