Clark Advising Program

200 Clark Hall

Pre-health professions program. The preparation of physicians, dentists, optometrists, physical therapists, and other health professionals is both an important and unique area within higher education. At The University of Alabama, students preparing for study in the health professions constitute one of the largest career-oriented groups on campus. The distinctive characteristics of the training of health professionals stem in part from the truly interdisciplinary nature of the process. Training for the health fields includes in one way or another almost all areas of knowledge and does not focus on a single traditional discipline. Also unique about the process is the competitive status of admission to health-professions schools and the resulting higher level of concern and anxiety among students who are potential applicants.

The Health Professions Advising Program at the University provides students with advisers who have specific knowledge of the requirements and recommended preparation for study in the health professions. The following pre-health professions programs are available at The University of Alabama: predental (see p. 106), premedical (see p. 107), pre-occupational therapy (see p. 108), preoptometry (see p. 109), prepharmacy (see p. 109), pre-physical therapy (see p. 110), and pre-veterinary medicine (see p. 110).

Prelaw studies. The College of Arts and Sciences offers a prelaw curriculum compatible with a wide variety of majors and minors in the College. Designed to meet each student's special needs and interests, the prelaw curriculum encourages students to include in their programs courses that will ensure their acquisition of a broad undergraduate education and a variety of academic skills, especially the ability to write with clarity and style. See p. 107 for specific program information.

Premajor studies. The College of Arts and Sciences offers a program designed especially for freshman and sophomore students who wish to make progress toward their degrees at the same time that they decide about their majors and minors. Through premajor studies, students complete general education requirements at the same rate as students with declared majors. Premajor studies offers academic advising and opportunities for study in a number of fields, so that students may make informed decisions about a major field of study. This program works cooperatively with the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Career Center, the departments of the College, and other UA academic divisions. See p. 107.