Students desiring to enter a health profession – whether as a physician, veterinarian, physical therapist, podiatrist, or optometrist – are encouraged to major in a subject of interest to them. * For example, SMU alumni who have or are attending medical schools throughout the United States have chosen majors in: Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Business, Chemistry, Economics, History, Engineering, History, Psychology, Spanish, as well as other majors among the many offered at SMU. You may want to consider a major in Earth Sciences, Philosophy, Medieval Studies or Applied Physiology and Sports Management. Pre-Med and Pre-Dental students choosing a major in Dedman College are encouraged to follow the Recommended Plan for sequencing science and math classes that are requisite for many medical and dental schools, with the exception of students choosing a foreign language major where continuing study in the language is advised. Those students may follow the Alternate Plan. Students selecting Engineering, Business, or Meadows School of the Arts majors may also follow the Alternate Plan.
During the first year at SMU, a student has opportunities to work with his or her academic advisor to tailor a degree plan that meets individual needs such as: study abroad; incorporating minors like Biomedical Anthropology, Human Rights, and Women’s Studies; or, factoring in dual credit and/or AP credit
Requirements for health professions schools do vary; pre-requisites are most similar among medical and dental schools. The Recommended Plan and the Alternate Plan are not, however, a substitute for checking requirements for the health professions schools to which students intend to apply. Look in the Additional Resources section of this website for information about how you can become an informed applicant, and read the Handbooks found on the Pre-Health Advising page.
* Note: Taking only the minimum science pre-requisites can reduce an applicants’ competitiveness. Furthermore, while not actually requiring that students major in Biological Sciences, some dental schools admissions deans and directors highly recommend students take classes toward fulfillment of a Biological Sciences major. SMU pre-dental students should consider taking at least 2 of the following classes in addition to those listed on the Recommended Plan: Physiology, Cancer Biology, Vertebrate Anatomy, Microbiology and Parasitology.