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.
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.
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.
The American Bar Association clearly states there is no official “pre-law” curriculum and that students are admitted to law school from a variety of academic majors. Nevertheless, there are important skills, knowledge and experience that the ABA recommends acquiring prior to law school and that will provide a good foundation for a legal education. The Pre-law minor assures that students acquire the skills, knowledge, and experience recommended by the ABA such as problem-solving, critical language skills, background information, research and data analysis, and exposure to law, 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.
The experiences that I gained at DelVal allowed my application to veterinary school to stand out from others. I was grateful to be accepted to seven veterinary schools, however I accepted my seat at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2026. I am certain that I would not be where I am today without all of the experiences and relationships that I built with all of the amazing staff, faculty, students, and horses at Delaware Valley University.
“I was incredibly grateful when I learned I was offered early acceptance to Cornell University for veterinary medicine because I didn’t get here alone. The professors at DelVal all want to see you succeed. My professors at DelVal really know me personally and that showed in their recommendations. I think being encouraged to gain experience through the E360 program was also really helpful.”
