Preprofessional Programs

Undergraduate students often complete their degree requirements while simultaneously preparing for future academic study. The College of Arts and Sciences offers advice and assistance to students, regardless of major, who plan on furthering their studies in the areas of engineering, law, or medicine.

The Dual Degree Engineering Program

In coordination with Columbia University’s Fun Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and American University’s Department of Physics, the Dual Degree Engineering: The Combined Plan Program allows students to earn a Bachelor’s degree through completion of three or four years of matriculation at American University in any field of study, then apply to Columbia University to complete the further requirements for a degree in engineering.

Prelaw Advising

Students in many majors and specializations plan to attend law school after their undergraduate study. Students interested in prelaw preparation should consult their academic counselor in the school or college of their major to select coursework in their majors that support their law school applications. Students are also advised to consult the university career center (https://www.american.edu/careercenter/).

Premedical and Health Professional Program Advising

Students planning graduate study in health professional programs, such as medical school, dental school, veterinary medical school, pharmacy school, physician assistant programs, physical therapy programs or optometry school, complete a rigid sequence of coursework and should be cognizant of testing and application deadlines in order to make a successful application to graduate study. The College offers specialized advising to premedical and other health professional programs.

The College also offers two certificates in premedical studies. The Postbaccalaureate Premedical (Undergraduate Certificate) is for students who have already completed a Bachelor’s program and seek to strengthen their academic credentials prior to medical school application. The Pre-Medicine (Undergraduate Certificate) is for students of any major at American University who, during the progress of their undergraduate study, are laying the foundation for future study in medicine or related fields.

Programs

Certificate (UG)

Preprofessional Program (UG)