Pre-Veterinary and Other Pre-Professional Programs

Whether you are interested in veterinary, medical or dental school, a career in allied health such as physical therapy, or law school, DelVal prepares students to succeed in these professions.


The pre-professional program is designed for students interested in careers in veterinary medicine, human health care (medicine, dentistry or optometry) or allied health care (physical therapy or occupational therapy), and law. This program also prepares students for further study in a variety of post-baccalaureate programs leading to advanced degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.).

Members of the DelVal faculty serve as academic advisors and will guide students through the process of applying to graduate or professional schools. Working with their academic advisors, students can choose from a diverse selection of specialized courses to tailor their program based on their area of interest.

  • Pre-veterinary students can take courses in anatomy, physiology, small animal science, large animal science, wildlife management, clinical pathology, and pathology and disease.
  • Students interested in pursuing human health care or allied health can take courses in human anatomy, human physiology, histology, embryology, immunology, and behavioral sciences.
  • Students interested in scientific research can do so under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Juliet Campbell key frame

Anthony Rago title key frame
About DelVal's Pre-Professional Programs

Veterinary medicine offers the traditional options for practice in small animal or large animal medicine as well as careers in lab animal medicine, wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Pre-veterinary studies are designed to offer students the benefit of multiple disciplines, with the ability to major, minor and take cross-departmental courses to focus studies specific to their interests.

Admission requirements for the majority of professional and graduate schools include a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, math, physics and behavioral sciences, and these pre-requisites can be fulfilled with your academic degree from DelVal. Additionally, the Experience360 Program affords pre-professional students the opportunity to work with veterinarians, physicians and other health care professionals to gain clinical experience, which is necessary for admission to most professional programs.

Learn more about the small animal science degree at DelVal.

Students choosing to study medicine, dentistry or optometry are able to work in private practice, serve as advocates for public health, conduct research, teach or travel with international health and relief organizations.

Admission requirements for the majority of professional and graduate schools include a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, math, physics and behavioral sciences, and these pre-requisites can be fulfilled with your academic degree from DelVal. Additionally, the Experience360 Program affords pre-professional students the opportunity to work with veterinarians, physicians and other health care professionals to gain clinical experience, which is necessary for admission to most professional programs.

The allied health professions are growing rapidly and becoming high demand. Physical therapists provide an individualized, hands-on approach to patient care and work with physicians and patients to develop a plan of care that promotes the ability to move, reduce pain and restore function.

Admission requirements for the majority of professional and graduate schools include a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, math, physics and behavioral sciences, and these pre-requisites can be fulfilled with your academic degree from DelVal. Additionally, the Experience360 Program affords pre-professional students the opportunity to work with veterinarians, physicians and other health care professionals to gain clinical experience, which is necessary for admission to most professional programs.

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), there is no official “pre-law” curriculum, and students are admitted to law school from a variety of academic majors. Nevertheless, the ABA recommends students possess a good foundation of legal education, knowledge, experience and skills prior to law school. The pre-law minor at DelVal assures students meet the recommended requirements of the ABA by challenging students to develop the skills and expertise needed to apply and complete law school. Problem-solving, critical language, background information, research and data analysis, and exposure to law are just a few of the skills DelVal pre-law students are equipped with when they graduate that will help them apply to and complete law school.

Students from any major at DelVal have the option of declaring a minor in pre-law through the interdisciplinary program. Moreover, the pre-law minor was designed so that students may choose courses that fulfill both the requirements for the minor and for the core curriculum program. Additionally, all students in the minor must take a pre-law capstone course where the aforementioned skills and knowledge are practiced and assessed, and where students will have the opportunity to interact with experts in the legal system.

To declare a pre-law minor, students must communicate with their academic advisors and the Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator, Dr. Jessica McCall, jessica.mccall@delval.edu.