Pre-Chiropractic
Advisor: Amanda Trewin
Office: 241 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1527
trewina@uwplatt.edu
Chiropractic is a natural approach to health issues that concerns itself with the integration of the body’s organs and organ systems. The Doctor of Chiropractic specializes in the adjustment of the spine, the relationship between the spinal vertebrae and the nervous system, and their relationship to health and disease without the use of drugs or surgery.
The UW-Platteville program normally requires completion of a bachelor’s degree and the fulfillment of other requirements of the chiropractic school. Students may participate in our articulation agreement with Palmer College of Chiropractic and begin their professional program after three years of coursework at UW-Platteville. Upon successful completion of the first year in professional school, credits will be transferred back to UW-Platteville to complete the B.S. in Biology.
Pre-Dentistry
Advisor: John Peterson
Office: 242 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.7329
petersonjoh@uwplatt.edu
Dentistry is the science or profession concerned with the teeth and associated structures of the mouth. It involves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, injury or malfunction of the teeth, gums and jaws. Dentists practice in several specialties using a full range of techniques.
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses that help to provide a basic body of knowledge to meet the admission requirements for schools of dentistry. Admission to a school of dentistry normally follows the fulfillment of requirements of the desired professional school and the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
Pre-Law
Advisor: Travis Nelson
Office: 138 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1809
nelsontra@uwplatt.edu
Pre-law is not an academic major or sequence of courses, but rather a program of activities designed to guide the undergraduate student interested in a career in law to make sound decisions and achieve success. This begins with the choice of an academic major of interest to the student and the selection of challenging courses which elicit and strengthen the student’s talent. The student receives academic advisement from an advisor in his or her major field and pre-law advisement from an experienced pre-law advisor.
The advantages of the pre-law program include the following:
- Award-winning and nationally recognized mock trial and competition teams which compete in invitational, regional and national tournaments
- An active Pre-Law Society which sponsors trips to pre-law events, tours of law schools and visiting speakers
- Guidance in evaluating law-related careers
- Advice in the selection of law schools and the opportunity to talk directly to admissions personnel at pre-law forums
- Help in preparing for the Law School Admissions Test
- Law-related courses in such disciplines as political science, criminal justice and business administration, which not only challenge the student but offer a taste of legal education
Pre-Medical Technology
Advisor: Mark Levenstein
Office: 240 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1331
levensteinm@uwplatt.edu
The field of medical technology or clinical laboratory science is the medical application of the basic sciences in laboratory medicine. Members of this profession are responsible for providing accurate, reliable laboratory tests to determine the presence, absence, extent, or cause of disease. Medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists use sophisticated chemical procedures, complex instruments, and microscopic observation to relay information to physicians for diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Pre-Medicine
Advisor: Rich Dhyanchand
Office: 340 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.6155
dhyanchandr@uwplatt.edu
Co-Advisor: Mark Horton
Office: 339 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1664
hortonma@uwplatt.edu
Medical doctors prevent, diagnose, treat and cure disease in their patients. Allopathic physicians practice in many medical specialties using a full range of health care techniques aimed at maintaining and improving health.
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses which help to provide a basic body of knowledge necessary to meet the admission requirements for medical schools. Admission to an allopathic medical school follows the completion of a bachelor’s degree, a strong Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, and the accumulation of relevant health care experiences.
Pre-Ministry
Advisor: Shane Drefcinski
Office: 135 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1828
drefcins@uwplatt.edu
Professional ministry as a pastor, rabbi, youth leader, teacher or parish worker requires that a student be aware of everything that touches the lives of people and is especially sensitive to the human hunger for meaning, perspective and understanding.
The UW-Platteville program provides supportive counsel and helpful experiences (not only for those wishing to enter a professional religious vocation, but also for those not certain but interested).
Faculty will help students:
- Plan a broad liberal arts academic program
- Find appropriate off-campus work or study opportunities
- Think through their professional plans and hopes
Pre-Nursing
Advisor: Nadia Sifri
Office: 235 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.7125
sifrin@uwplatt.edu
Nurses meet the physical and emotional needs of patients in a broad range of settings while providing care prescribed by a physician. There is more than one educational pathway that culminates in becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Some students choose to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) at a 2-year community or technical college. This degree prepares an individual for a defined technical scope of practice. Other students choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS/BSN). These students are more broadly trained and therefore are able to administer nursing care across all health care settings.
Students interested in pursuing nursing can begin their studies with us. Students who begin college with Nursing as their goal could complete prerequisite courses in two years (or less) and then transfer to a Nursing School where they typically study for another 2-3 years. Other students may choose to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biology at UW-Platteville taking care to also complete prerequisite courses. These students can then complete a BSN in an Accelerated Nursing Program at a Nursing School. These BS to BSN accelerated programs typically take one year of study beyond the BS. To help students navigate this process, we have negotiated a Guaranteed Admission with UW-Oshkosh for their Online Accelerated BSN program. Finally, through our articulation with UW-Oshkosh, students can choose to major in Biology with a Nursing emphasis. Students who select this route will complete three years of coursework at UW-Platteville and one year of coursework at UW-Oshkosh. Upon successful completion of the Online Accelerated BSN program, credits will be transferred back to UW-Platteville to complete the B.S. in Biology. This articulation enables students to complete a BS in Biology from UW-Platteville and a BS in Nursing from UW-Oshkosh in four years.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Advisor: Amanda Trewin
Office: 241 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1527
trewina@uwplatt.edu
Occupational therapy is a vital health care service that uses purposeful activity as the basis for treatment and prevention of a wide variety of physical, developmental and emotional disabilities. Occupational therapists plan programs that enable patients to practice self-care, learn personal and social behavior skills and gain more independence in their day-to-day activities.
The UW-Platteville program for pre-occupational therapy students provides the necessary science background as well as an understanding of people and society necessary to gain entrance into the professional program.
Pre-Optometry
Advisor: John Peterson
Office: 242 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.7329
petersonjoh@uwplatt.edu
Optometry is the branch of health services concerned with the examination, diagnosis and treatment of conditions or impairments of the vision system. Doctors of Optometry are highly trained, state licensed practitioners who examine eyes and related structures to detect the presence of vision problems, eye diseases and other eye-related problems. Optometrists are the major providers of vision care in this country.
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses that help to provide a basic body of knowledge to meet the admission requirements for schools of optometry. Admission to a school of optometry normally follows the fulfillment of requirements of the desired professional school and the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
Pre-Osteopathy
Advisor: Rich Dhyanchand
Office: 340 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.6155
dhyanchandr@uwplatt.edu
Co-Advisor: Mark Horton
Office: 339 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1664
hortonma@uwplatt.edu
Osteopathic medicine is one of two medical fields fully licensed and approved for the delivery of complete medical care. Osteopathic physicians practice in all recognized medical specialties, using the full range of health care techniques in diagnosis and treatment. The distinctive feature of osteopathic medicine is the recognition of the interrelationship between the structure and function of the body, that is, traditional emphasis on holistic medicine or treating the patient as a whole person. One of the characteristic features and added dimensions of a Doctor of Osteopathy in terms of clinical practice is the utilization of osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT).
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses which help to provide a basic body of knowledge to meet the admission requirements for osteopathic medical schools. Admission to an osteopathic medical school follows the completion of a bachelor’s degree, a strong Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) score, and the accumulation of relevant health care experiences.
Pre-Pharmacy
Advisor: Chuck Cornett
Office: 214 Ottensman Hall
Phone: 608.342.1658
cornettc@uwplatt.edu
Pharmacy has traditionally been the branch of health services concerned with the composition of medications, dosage forms, methods of preparation, tests for the purity and potency, as well as the proper medicinal use. The pharmacist is responsible for preparing, storing and dispensing medications. As an expert on the action of medication on the body, the pharmacist is called upon by physicians and the public alike concerning the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
The UW-Platteville program involves two years of study in a selected group of courses. The courses provide the necessary science background as well as an understanding of people and institutions to prepare students for pharmacy school.
Pre-Physical Therapy
Advisor: Amanda Trewin
Office: 241 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1527
trewina@uwplatt.edu
Physical therapy is a dynamic health care profession. Physical therapists are skilled in planning, organizing and directing programs for the care of individuals of all ages who have been impaired by disease or injury. The physical therapist performs tests and evaluations which help to establish treatment objectives for the patient. In addition, the physical therapist works with the patient to carry out the objectives in ways that are realistic and consistent with daily needs.
The UW-Platteville program for pre-physical therapy students provides the necessary science background as well as an understanding of people and society to help students qualify for the professional program. Often students will complete their Bachelor's degree before continuing in professional school. Our articulation agreement with Clarke University enables students to begin work on their doctorate of physical therapy upon completion of three years of coursework at UW-Platteville. Upon successful completion of the first year in this program, credits will be transferred back to UW-Platteville to complete the B.S. in Biology.
Pre-Physician Assistant
Advisor: Rich Dhyanchand
Office: 340 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.6155
dhyanchandr@uwplatt.edu
A physician assistant (PA) is a mid-level health care provider. PAs may diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and serve as a principal health care provider. PAs are required in many states to have a direct agreement with a physician.
The UW-Platteville program is usually a four-year course of study resulting in a bachelor’s degree and the fulfillment of additional physician assistant professional school requirements, which usually includes a significant amount of hands on clinical experience. Our articulation agreement with the UW-Madison School of Public Health and Medicine enables students to begin work at WisPACT@UW-Platteville on their Master of Physician Assistant Studies upon completion of three years of coursework in Biology at UW-Platteville. Upon successful completion of the first year in this program, credits will be transferred back to UW-Platteville to complete the B.S. in Biology.
Pre-Podiatry
Advisor: Rich Dhyanchand
Office: 340 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.6155
dhyanchandr@uwplatt.edu
Podiatry is the area of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the human foot and ankle. The UW-Platteville program is designed to meet admission requirements for entrance into a School of Podiatric Medicine. Most students are admitted to a podiatry school after completion of a bachelor’s degree although only 90 credits are required. The Pre-Podiatry coursework is very similar to that of both the Pre-Medicine and Pre-Osteopathy. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) will take another 4-years of school. This is followed by a 3-year Podiatric Medical and Surgical Residency (PMSR).
Pre-Social Work
Advisor: Elizabeth Gates
Office: 255 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1724
gatese@uwplatt.edu
The principal mission of social work is the promotion of social justice and social welfare, with specific attention to the empowerment of individuals, groups, families and communities who are vulnerable and oppressed. Social work prepares individuals to practice in a wide variety of settings such as governmental agencies, schools, community centers, correctional facilities, mental health centers, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Although we do not offer a Bachelor of Social Work degree at UW-Platteville, criminal justice and psychology majors can pursue a social work certificate, which leads to licensure as a certified social worker in Wisconsin through the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. UW-Platteville also has agreements with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, that allow students who finish the social work certificate coursework to receive master's degrees in social work (MSW) from these institutions in shortened periods of time. Students attending Clarke can finish an MSW in approximately 14 months, while students attending UW-Milwaukee can finish an MSW in approximately a year and a half. Standard time to completion is two years.
Pre-Substance Abuse Counseling
Advisor: Elizabeth Gates
Office: 255 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1724
gatese@uwplatt.edu
Substance abuse counselors address the prevention of substance use problems, conduct substance use assessments, develop treatment plans, provide group and individual counseling, and consult with treatment courts and correctional facilities.
UW-Platteville offers specialized coursework in substance abuse counseling which fulfills the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) 360-hour requirement of specialized education in substance use disorder counseling. Criminal justice and psychology majors who complete this required coursework can pursue certification as substance abuse counselors in Wisconsin through DSPS with only a bachelor's degree.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Advisor: Krista Hardyman
Office: 315 Pioneer Tower
Phone: 608.342.7235
hardymankr@uwplatt.edu
Veterinary medicine applies modern medical science to the care of animals. The study of veterinary medicine is concerned with gaining a thorough knowledge of the fundamental biological and physical sciences relating to animal functions. In the clinical years, students correlate and apply this knowledge to the many areas of professional service.
The pre-veterinary medicine program at UW-Platteville, through the School of Agriculture and Biology Department, consists of selected courses specified by veterinary colleges that prepare students for admission into a four-year program which culminates in the awarding of a doctorate in veterinary medicine. (Note: This program is administered by the School of Agriculture.)