Introduction

Dominican University offers excellent preparation for careers in the health sciences. Our science faculty includes physicians as well as professors with PhDs in the natural sciences. Our small class sizes assure that students have ready access to lab space and instruction. A liberal-arts education not only provides a strong science background but also communications skills, cross-cultural understanding and an appreciation of the moral and ethical questions raised by modern health-care practices. The strength of the Dominican curriculum has led to partnerships with leaders in health-career education such as the Rush Hospital and University and Midwestern University.

Preparation for health-related careers begins with a thorough grounding in basic science. Students typically take courses in general biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and physics. Depending on their future career path, health sciences students may also take microbiology, genetics, organic chemistry, biochemistry or biophysics as well as psychology.

Dominican University offers a unique internship opportunity with RUSH Oak Park Hospital. Under the direction of medical staff, the student has the opportunity to explore many opportunities in the health-care field, including first-hand observations of surgery and other medical procedures.

Pre-Medical Program

Dominican University offers all the courses required for medical school admittance and has an excellent track record of students being accepted to medical schools such as Loyola University of Chicago, the University of Illinois- Chicago and Rush University. The healthcareer adviser works with pre-med students to devise a program of study to meet those requirements including a major, usually but not necessarily in the sciences, and the liberalarts course work that develops their knowledge and understanding of themselves, other people and society. The RUSH Oak Park Hospital internship is popular with pre-med students and strengthens their medical school application.

For more details: Pre-Medical Program

Pre-Pharmacy Program

In cooperation with the Chicago College of Pharmacy of Midwestern University, Dominican University offers the first two years of a program leading to the doctor of pharmacy degree. Upon successful completion of two years of preprofessional course work at Dominican, students are admitted into the four-year professional curriculum at Midwestern. Students must have at least a 3.2/4.0 high school GPA and have an ACT composite score of 25 or more (SAT of 1700 or more).

For more details: Pre-Pharmacy Program

Nursing

In cooperation with Rush University, Dominican offers the first two years of a baccalaureate program in nursing. After successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of liberal arts and science at Dominican, students apply to Rush University where they earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Rush also offers an accelerated nursing program for students who complete their bachelor’s degree at Dominican.

For more details: Nursing Program

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy (OT) professionals work with people of all ages to adapt their work and home environments following injury, illness or developmental or psychological impairment. Occupational therapists play an active role in assisting to regain, develop and improve the skills necessary to live independent, productive and satisfying lives.

Dominican University students can earn both a bachelor’s degree from Dominican and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University through an accelerated five-year program. The Dominican major is in psychology or sociology.

For more details: Occupational Therapy Program

Other Allied Health fields

Under the direction of the health-career adviser, students may also prepare for admission to programs such as physical therapy, dentistry, respiratory therapy and physician’s assistant.

For more information, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission or the natural science department.