Pre-Professional Programs

3-2 Engineering (Dual-Degree Program)

Berea College offers a dual-degree program in engineering in cooperation with both the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky. This dual-degree program of study leads to a B.A. degree from Berea College (usually in the Applied Science and Mathematics major) and a B.S. degree in engineering from either Washington University or the University of Kentucky. The program provides students with a strong background in the liberal arts and the field of engineering. Programs at Washington University that meet the degree portion of the requirements for registration as a professional engineer include aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering management, mechanical engineering, and systems science and general engineering. The engineering programs available in cooperation with the University of Kentucky are biosystems and agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, and mining engineering. For more information on the Applied Science and Mathematics major, which is intended to help prepare 3-2 Engineering students for the second part of this dual degree, please refer to p. 62-63 in the Academic Programs and Courses section of the 2008-2009 Berea College Catalog.

The entire dual degree program normally is completed in five or six years, the initial three or four of which are at Berea College and the subsequent two at Washington University or the University of Kentucky. Although Berea College does not have a special agreement with any other engineering school, some of Berea students have, nevertheless, successfully entered 3-2 engineering programs with other universities.

Students may request permission to participate in Commencement exercises with their classmates even though they elect to have their Berea College degree conferred at a later date. Dr. J.P. Lee serves as the pre-engineering coordinator at Berea.

Pre-Law

Law schools neither require nor recommend any particular major or course as preparation for legal studies. Berea College prepares students for the study of law through developing abilities to read, write, and reason well about a broad range of issues. As is true for other colleges and universities, Berea does not have a major in Pre-Law.

Students interested in law should choose an academic major based on their interests, while preparing themselves for law school by developing their abilities to read difficult texts, to write structured, argumentative prose, and to reason rigorously about texts. Whatever students’ academic majors, good preparation for the study of law requires demonstrated excellence in a broad, academically rigorous curriculum, such as courses in a foreign language, writing, literature, mathematics, or philosophy. Berea College’s General Education program—core courses (GSTRs), Perspective Areas, and Practical Reasoning requirements—provide opportunities for students to develop abilities to read, write, and reason well and to demonstrate excellence in a broad undergraduate education of the sort law schools value.

As students consider courses for their first year at Berea, they should use the GSTR 110, GSTR 210, and elective courses to challenge themselves to develop their ability to read, write, and reason carefully about difficult texts. Foreign languages are recommended to fulfill the International Perspective requirement in the General Education program. A demanding, non-quantitative Practical Reasoning (PR) course also is recommended.

Two courses recommended for any student interested in law include PHI 106 and PHI 104. Students interested in attending law school organize opportunities to visit law schools, prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and meet professionals pursuing a variety of careers in law. Dr. Robert W. Hoag serves as campus coordinator for students interested in the study of law; Dr. James Butler assists students in preparing for the LSAT.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dental

Students interested in going to medical or dental school usually major in either Biology or Chemistry; however, students pursuing other majors generally can complete most medical/dental school prerequisites in addition to their major course work. Most medical/dental schools require one year of Biology, but two years are recommended strongly. The following courses are recommended: BIO 110, 322, 323, and 330, with BIO 220, 331, and 441 suggested); one year of Inorganic Chemistry (recommended: CHM 131 and 311), one year of Organic Chemistry (recommended: CHM 221 and 222, with CHM 345 strongly suggested); one year of Physics (recommended: PHY 217 and 218); one year of Mathematics (recommended: MAT 115 & 135; and one year of English (satisfied by GSTR 110 and 210). Students considering medical or dental school are strongly encouraged to consult with Dr. Dawn Anderson, the pre-medical/pre-dental adviser on campus, as early as possible for further information and for assistance with pre-medical/dental curriculum planning.

Pre-Veterinary

While every veterinary program has its own requirements for entry, there are some commonalities. For example, Chemistry I and Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics are courses required by all 32 veterinary programs in the United States and Canada. Veterinary programs have high undergraduate GPA standards, generally a 3.2 minimum overall GPA. It also is important to have a broad understanding of the field and applied practical experience in some aspect of veterinary medicine. This can be obtained through academically supervised internships and field studies. Students may enter veterinary colleges from a number of majors. Most students pursue degrees in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Biology, or Chemistry. Due to the residency stipulations, it is strongly suggested that all students work with Berea’s pre-veterinary adviser, Dr. Dianne Hellwig, in the Agriculture and Natural Resources department, to ensure they meet the qualifications and to certify residency for many of the programs.

Social Work through Child & Family Studies

Students majoring in Child and Family Studies may pursue graduate study or careers in counseling, social work, non-profit social-service agencies, family resource centers, cooperative extension, childcare, or ministry. Graduates in Family Studies are eligible for inclusion in the commonwealth’s social-work register maintained by the Kentucky Personnel Office Cabinet. Students should contact Katrina Rivers Thompson, the Chairperson of the Child and Family Studies Department, for more information about this degree or these career opportunities.

Teacher Preparation

Berea College considers the preparation of teachers one of its major areas of focus. Throughout its history, the College has been actively engaged in preparing teachers for elementary through secondary schools. Many departments at Berea College contribute to the education of teachers. Although Berea graduates may be found in many states, the majority teach in schools in the Appalachian region. Within the context of the College’s Great Commitments, candidates in the teacher certification programs at Berea are asked to think deeply about the nature of teaching, learning, and schooling. The philosophical framework of Berea’s Teacher Education Program is the community of inquiry.

Berea College offers certification programs in Elementary Education (primary-grade 5); Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (birth to kindergarten); Secondary Education (grades 8-12) programs in English, Mathematics, Social Studies (with majors in History, Political Science, and Sociology); primary through grade 12 programs in Art, Health, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, and Physical Education; and grades 5-12 programs in Family and Consumer Sciences and in Technology Education. The Education Studies Department’s Middle Grades Certification Program (grades 5-9) is currently inactive and will not accept new students as majors until further notice.