Advisers: Richard Jochman

A major in any discipline is acceptable for admission to dental schools, but most dental programs require a basic foundation of eight to 10 courses in chemistry, biology and physics. Dental schools base admission decisions on a student’s college courses, grade point average, performance on the Dental Admission Test (taken in the junior year) and a personal interview.

Most dental schools require a minimum of BIOL 115, 116, CHEM 123, 234, 235, 236; 8 credits of physics and 4 credits of mathematics. Specific requirements, however, vary from school to school. Students considering a career in dentistry are urged to contact one of the pre-dental advisers early in their studies.

A few dental schools admit students after three years of undergraduate study. A three/one program is available at Saint Benedict’s and Saint John’s for students interested in this option. Students remain at the colleges for three years, during which time they complete all core curriculum requirements and all requirements for a natural science major except for four upper-division courses. Sufficient credits may then be transferred from the first year of dental school to complete the CSB/SJU degree requirements. Students contemplating a three/one program should consult early with the natural science chair.

Engineering  [Top]

Advisers: Richard White (chemical)

Saint John’s and Saint Benedict’s offer students the preparation for entrance into the various fields of engineering. The following options are available:

1. Students may attend Saint Benedict’s or Saint John’s for three years and then transfer to a school of engineering, earning a bachelor’s degree from Saint Benedict’s or Saint John’s and a bachelor of science in engineering from the engineering school. To be eligible for a degree from Saint Benedict’s or Saint John’s, students must earn all core curriculum credits and complete three full years in their major (as determined by each department) before transferring to the engineering school. When appropriate credits are transferred back from the engineering school, a degree will be granted. Details should be worked out with the chair of the selected department by early in the junior year. (This dual-degree program takes about five years and has been formally arranged with the University of Minnesota and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. It also works well at other universities.)
2. Students may stay at Saint Benedict’s or Saint John’s for two years, earning liberal arts credits and science and math credits appropriate to their planned engineering program and then transfer to a school of engineering to complete work for their engineering degree. In this case the student does not receive a degree from Saint Benedict’s or Saint John’s.
3. Students may attend Saint Benedict’s or Saint John’s for four years and earn a bachelor’s degree in one of the sciences or mathematics and then go to an engineering school (graduate or undergraduate) to earn an engineering degree.

It is also possible to transfer to an engineering school after one year at Saint Benedict’s or Saint John’s, but the colleges’ liberal arts curriculum is not arranged to encourage this option.

Forestry  [Top]

Adviser: Stephen Saupe

Students who intend to pursue professional studies in forestry may choose one of two options:

(1) They may complete a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics, economics or a related area and apply to graduate programs for an advanced degree in forestry;

(2) They may complete two years of pre-professional requirements at Saint Benedict's and Saint John's and transfer to a professional school in order to obtain a bachelor's degree in forestry. Students choosing this option are advised to consult with the faculty adviser early in the fall semester of their first year of study, since prerequisites vary among professional programs in forestry.

Law  [Top]

Advisers: Martha Tomhave Blauvelt, Ken Jones, Robert Weber, Kay Wolsborn

A rigorous liberal arts program is excellent preparation for admission to law school. Law schools do not require that a student take a specific sequence of courses as an undergraduate. Students may select any major, though majoring in the social sciences and humanities is typical.

Students preparing to apply to law school should choose courses that will enable them to understand and examine critically human institutions and values, and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Students may wish to explore their interest in law through law-related courses and internships.

Pre-law advisers are available on both campuses to assist students in choosing courses and in making application to law school.

Medicine  [Top]

Advisers: Manuel Campos, Robert Fulton, Amy Olson

Medical schools do not require a degree in the sciences and, in fact, consider majors in any discipline to be acceptable for admission. What is required is a basic core of eight to 10 chemistry, biology and physics courses which the medical schools consider necessary and sufficient background for the concentrated work in science at their institutions.

Admission to medical schools is competitive and the admission process considers courses, grades, performance on the Medical College Admission Test (taken during the junior year), personal interviews at the medical schools during the senior year and letters of evaluation.

Most medical schools require a minimum of BIOL 115, 116; CHEM 123, 234, 235, 236; 8 credits of physics; and MATH 123 or 124. The Minnesota medical schools also require a course in biochemistry such as, BIOL 317 or CHEM 331. Specific requirements, however, vary from school to school. Students considering a career in medicine are urged to contact one of the pre-medical advisers early in their studies.

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Adviser: Manuel Campos

Saint Benedict's and Saint John's pre-occupational therapy program prepares students to enter a professional program in occupational therapy, which at most colleges and universities leads to a master of science degree in occupational therapy (2-3 years) or a doctorate of occupational therapy (4 years).

Students usually complete a four year bachelor of arts degree at CSB/SJU prior to applying to a graduate program in occupational therapy. Pre-occupational therapy students usually major in one of the natural or social sciences. Most occupational therapy schools require that students enter the master's program with background in biology, psychology (8-12 credit hours in each area) as well as math, government, economics, and sociology. Most graduate programs prefer a grade point average GPA above 3.0, with an even higher GPA in the pre-occupational therapy coursework. They also require or value any occupational therapy experience that students may bring to their programs. Opportunities to do internships or shadowing experiences with area occupational therapists are available through CSB/SJU.

It should be noted that there is no specific set of requirements that fit requirements of all occupational therapy graduate programs. Indeed pre-occupational therapy requirements vary extensively from program to program even within a given state. For these reasons it is extremely important that interested students contact the pre-occupational therapy advisor at CSB/SJU early in the fall semester of their first year to begin designing their program of study in a way that meets their academic interests and future plans.

The following classes are suggested for first year students: Biology 115, 116, Chemistry 123/234 or Chemistry 111/112, Math 124, Psychology 111.

Pharmacy  [Top]

Adviser: Kate Graham

Saint Benedict's and Saint John's offer a pre-professional program for students who plan to enter the field of pharmacy. Entrance requirements for pharmacy schools vary; students should inform themselves of the courses required by the school they plan to attend.

Admission to most colleges of pharmacy occurs when the student enters the professional program. This may occur after completion of pre-professional requirements or after completion of the bachelor's degree, generally with a major in biology, chemistry or natural science. Students are advised to consult with the faculty adviser early in their studies.

Pre-professional course work requirements differ slightly, but the following list of courses is recommended based on the requirements of the College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota: BIOL 115, 116, 307, 320; CHEM 123, 234, 235, 236. COMM 111; ECON 111; MATH119, 120; PHYS 105, 106, or 191, 200 and 211; PSYC 111 and SOCI 111.

CSB/SJU courses that fulfill prerequisites/admission requirements at local area Schools of Pharmacy

Physical Therapy   [Top]

Adviser: Pamela Hansen

Saint Benedicts and Saint Johns offer a pre-professional program in physical therapy. Students complete prerequisite course work outlined by the various approved schools of physical therapy. Upon completion of the pre-professional course work, the student is eligible to apply to colleges and universities offering a post graduate degree in physical therapy. However, students complete a bachelors degree at Saint Benedicts or Saint Johns in biology, liberal studies, natural science or psychology before applying to a physical therapy school.

The following courses are identified by the University of Minnesota, Mayo School of Health Related Sciences, the College of St. Scholastica and the College of St. Catherine as part of their required prerequisites: BIOL 115, 116, 235 and 236 or 320 and 323; CHEM 111 and 112 or 123 and 234; MATH 124 or PSYC 221; PHYS 105, 106; PSYC 111. Additional courses are required and summer sessions maybe necessary to complete coursework in a four year plan.

Due to the specific prerequisite courses that each physical therapy school requires, students are advised to work closely with the faculty adviser to plan their pre-professional program. Students should meet with the campus adviser early in the fall semester of their first year.

Priesthood Studies   [Top]

Rector: Fr. Robert Pierson OSB

The Saint John’s program in priesthood studies is designed to prepare Saint John’s students for entry into a major seminary upon graduation. The program acknowledges the richness that each candidate contributes to the community, and seeks to affirm and celebrate the differences while cultivating the skills, abilities and attitudes fundamental to embracing the priestly mission and ministry. With the guidance of a director, the student pursues courses in the College of Arts and Sciences, concentrating especially on the liberal arts. He may major in any area of study, but philosophy is highly recommended as a study of human life and knowledge. The Program of Priestly Formation of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops requires a priesthood student to take 24 undergraduate credits in philosophy and 12 credits in religious studies. Latin and Greek as well as modern language are also recommended. The student is urged to take a variety of courses in English literature to enhance communication skills, as well as other courses in the humanities and social sciences.

Veterinary Medicine   [Top]

Adviser: Ronald Henry 

A program in pre-veterinary medicine with concentration in biology and chemistry is available. Entrance requirements for schools of veterinary medicine vary; students should inform themselves of the courses required by the school which they plan to attend. Generally, students complete a bachelor's degree with a major in biology, chemistry or natural science before applying to a school of veterinary medicine.

The following courses are recommended as generally fulfilling pre-requisites for schools of veterinary medicine: BIOL 115, 116, 307, 316, 317 or CHEM 331; CHEM 123, 234, 235, 236; PHYS 105, 106; MATH 123 or 119; a minimum of 8 credits selected from economics, government, history, psychology and sociology; a minimum of 8 credits selected from art, music, literature, humanities and theater.

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