Pre-Professional Programs

A liberal arts education coupled with an engineering degree creates a unique engineer capable of solving complex technical problems and communicating those solutions to a broad audience that includes customers, other engineers, sales teams, and executive officers. Our pre-engineering students take the skills they developed at Wofford and continue their studies elsewhere to round out their engineering degree.

The program has two potential pathways. The first is designed for students who graduate from Wofford and apply for graduate studies in engineering. The second is designed for students to complete the dual degree program requirements while at Wofford and then transfer to a partner institution (Columbia University or Clemson University) at the end of their junior year. Both pathways start with calculus-based general physics courses (PHY 141 and PHY 142). Interested students should contact the pre-engineering coordinator for curriculum guidance.

For more information, contact Dr. Mackay Salley at salleygm@wofford.edu or visit here.

With the completion of the ROTC program at Wofford College, graduates earn commissions as second lieutenants in the United States Regular Army, the National Guard, or the United States Army Reserve. The program prepares students for all branches of the Army, except for those requiring additional study on the graduate or professional school level. Delays in beginning active service may be granted to commissioned students who wish to attend law, medical, or dental school.

The United States Army gives financial support to ROTC. This support includes the provision of uniforms, textbooks, and equipment for students in the program. In addition, the Army offers scholarships to qualified students selected through a national competition. Additional information on scholarships may be found in the Financial Aid & Scholarships portion of the catalog. A description of program requirements can be found under the Military Science section of Departments, Programs & Courses.

For more information, contact Simon Stricklen (Enrollment and Scholarship Officer) at stricklenws@wofford.edu or visit here.

Wofford’s pre-law program holds workshops and activities throughout the year aimed at preparing students for law school admission. During Interim, the college’s pre-law program facilitates internship opportunities as well as a class in which students move beyond the classroom into the courthouses and offices of judges, public defenders, solicitors, and private attorneys across the Southeast. In addition, the pre-law program includes seminars that assist in the law school application process and regular talks on different aspects of the legal profession.

For more information, contact Dr. J. David Alvis (alvisjd@wofford.edu), John Fort, Esq. (fortjk@wofford.edu), or Dr. Dawn McQuiston (mcquistonde@wofford.edu), or visit here.

At Wofford, a faculty team advises and guides interested students toward meeting the expectations and requirements of medical schools across the United States. The college is very successful at facilitating the development of students and their eventual entry into medical programs, with an average 78% acceptance rate for qualified students with a GPA above 3.3 and a competitive MCAT score. No specific major is required for entry into medical and dental schools, but admission is highly competitive and usually requires successful completion of certain courses. Students must plan their curriculum carefully with the assistance of their advisor. If you are not majoring in biology or chemistry, you should still meet with an advisor from one of these departments because they have more experience working with students with your interests.

In addition, medical and dental school admissions committees place great emphasis on scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), so study, study, study, and practice, practice, practice! Clinical experience is an important part of preparation for medical or dental school. All qualified students are strongly encouraged to participate in Wofford’s clinical internship program during the January Interim. This program involves the participation of hospitals and health care professionals who offer Wofford students shadowing experience in all aspects of health care.

For more information, contact faculty and staff or visit here.

Dental schools are selective, but a degree from Wofford generally puts students at the forefront of consideration. The performances of Wofford graduates in dental schools, as in general medical schools, have given the college a broad and powerful reputation for quality, providing a lift for future Terriers who are eyeing a career in dentistry. As with medical schools, dental schools typically don’t require degrees in specific majors, but students should often talk with Wofford professors for advice on which courses to take and where their emphasis should be. Certain courses are generally more important, and a curriculum specifically designed for postgraduate medical study is preferred. Biology and chemistry courses are important, of course, but professors, several of whom have extensive experience in this arena, can provide guidance on other avenues.

Internships and shadowing opportunities are generally available in the Spartanburg area for students interested in a career in dentistry. The Interim in dentistry allows students to spend one week at the Medical University of South Carolina, attending classes and meeting with admission officers to learn about interviewing and procedures for admission to dental school.

For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Waidner at waidnertc@wofford.edu or visit here.

Students interested in the pre-pharmacy track are encouraged to contact Dr. Heidi Bostic, the pre-pharmacy advisor, to demonstrate their interest in pre-pharmacy. This is extremely important in terms of finding out about pharmacy school fairs, newsletters, internships, and part-time job opportunities. Wofford has relationships with the South Carolina College of Pharmacy in Charleston and local pharmacies and can work with them to provide opportunities for professional experience with a certified pharmacist. Internships typically enhance pharmacy school applications significantly. If you are interested in these opportunities during the school year, Interim, or the summer, please contact the pre-pharmacy advisor. Students planning on going to pharmacy school are encouraged to major in either biology or chemistry.

For more information, contact Dr. Heidi Bostic at bostiche@wofford.edu or visit here.

Most students interested in a career in veterinary medicine major in biology or chemistry, but Wofford has many choices to consider, and you should pursue the major(s) that interest you the most. You will need to fulfill the prerequisite requirements to gain admission to the veterinary school of your choice. Pre-veterinary students have designed various types of independent Interims, including working with veterinarians, interning at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and working at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C. You must gain as much hands-on experience as possible before applying for admission to veterinary college.

For more information, contact Dr. Lori Cruze at cruzel@wofford.edu or visit here.

Wofford College has been preparing students for careers in Christian ministry since it opened its doors in 1854. As the culture and the church have changed over the years, the look of ministry has changed as well. The college prepares students for lay or ordained ministry through the Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI), a pre-ministerial mentoring and spiritual direction program. Students engage in a guided discernment process that includes theological exploration, strengths assessment, and leadership and service opportunities. ELI is open to students across denominations, traditions, and backgrounds.

For more information, contact The Rev. Dr. Ronald R. Robinson at robinsonrr@wofford.edu or visit here.

By completing the education courses at Wofford, students will be well prepared to earn a traditional teaching certification, pursue a graduate degree, or earn a non-traditional teaching certification. The minor is not limited to students who only plan to teach; students who plan any type of career in schools, counseling, or other similar fields will benefit from this minor. The Education Department at Wofford College has partnered with One Spartanburg, local school districts, and Converse University to offer a pathway into obtaining an MAT/teacher certification in Spartanburg County. This opportunity is only for minors in the program.

For more information, contact Christina Johnson (Senior Instructor of Education) at johnsoncb@wofford.edu or visit here.