Medicine and Other Health Professions
Medicine is the most popular health-career area at Centre, but our graduates also choose specialized study in fields such as dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine, among others. Biochemistry and molecular biology and biology are the most popular pre-med majors at Centre, but students from every academic major are accepted to medical school. Diversity is, in fact, not only possible, but encouraged by many medical schools, which have come to realize that students who pursue interests in art, music, philosophy, history, literature, and other areas of liberal study tend to become well-rounded, highly effective physicians. In fact, the only science background generally required for admission to medical school is two years of chemistry, one year each of biology and physics, and one semester of biochemistry. However, the MCAT exam, required of all applicants to medical schools, does require a strong understanding of biology, physics, and chemistry, as well as some study of sociology, psychology, and statistics.
Centre has established a Health Professions Advisory Committee comprised of faculty members who serve as specialist advisors for each health profession. Each advisor is available to students throughout their four years at Centre (and beyond) to help them plan their courses of study, assist them in exploring the many health-related professions, and support the development of application materials. They maintain close contact with the medical and other pre-health schools to which Centre students apply most frequently. The Health Professions Advisory Committee also conducts interviews with applicants for medical school, gathers individual letters of evaluation, and writes a summary evaluation of candidates as part of a committee letter of evaluation submitted on behalf of applicants. This continuing level of personal attention and concern is an important element in the success of Centre graduates in gaining acceptance to medical and other pre-health schools.
Other resources that help Centre students prepare for careers in medicine include the Pre-Health Society and the Health & Medicine Career Exploration Community of the Center for Career and Professional Development. These resources allow students to engage in a variety of activities, such as panel discussions with recent Centre alumni or local health professionals and inviting representatives from professional schools to campus. Other student organizations that support the exploration of careers in healthcare include the Pre-Dental Society, the Pre-Vet Society, and Partners in Health.
Law
Law schools are interested in students from every academic major, and a liberal arts education equips every student with the skills and aptitude necessary to succeed in law school. English, politics, history, international studies, and economics and finance are the majors most often selected by Centre students who pursue law, but there is no set pre-law major (many STEM students go to law school). Graduates across the many majors at Centre have a solid record of success in gaining admission to law schools and performing very ably once in law school. The broad-based skills that law schools emphasize—effective writing and speaking, analytical ability, and familiarity with the social sciences—are essential goals of Centre’s liberal arts curriculum.
At Centre, the faculty pre-law advisor works with students from their first year on to help them explore law as a profession and to assist them in the application process during their junior and senior years. Basic materials and information about law school, the application process, and legal careers are available on the pre-law website: https://www.centre.edu/academics/majors-minors-programs/pre-law. The pre-law advisor hosts a range of workshops throughout the academic year, with topics that include a broad overview of careers related to the law and LSAT studying strategies and resources. There is also an email list and a pre-law Moodle page that pre-law students can join. To help students get the most out of their Centre education, the pre-law advisor provides a list of recommended courses that aid in LSAT skill-building and general law school preparedness. Advisors also counsel interested students on related internship and volunteer opportunities that provide insight into the law field and help students identify and demonstrate their interest in pursuing a legal career.
In addition, the Centre for Career and Professional Development hosts several law-related events, including a law school fair and talks with legal professionals. Centre also has the John Marshall Harlan Law Society composed of students interested in law, many of whom go on to legal careers. This organization meets regularly, sponsors field trips to places such as courtrooms and law schools, and brings experts in the legal profession as well as representatives from law schools on campus to speak with students.
Education
Students interested in pursuing a career in education can choose from a wide range of post-graduate options. Those who wish to earn a master's or teaching certification may choose to enroll at one of our partner universities (https://www.centre.edu/majors-minors/education/education-partnerships/), the University of Louisville, the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt, and Bellarmine University. Currently, our partnerships allow Centre students to count course observation hours from the education minor towards a master's degree in education. Students who complete an education minor are also well prepared to progress to any graduate school for teaching certification or to alternative programs such as Teach for America, Teach Kentucky, or teaching residency programs (https://www.centre.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/careers-in-education.pdf). Students are encouraged to talk with education program faculty about how to match their goals with an appropriate graduate program or alternative track. In addition, while at Centre, students interested in education are encouraged to participate in an internship or research opportunity with a focus in the discipline.