2023-24 Academic Catalog

Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Law Minor (LAW)

Whit Waide, J.D., Advisor
199 Bowen Hall
wwaide@pspa.msstate.edu

The interdisciplinary minor in Pre-Law consists of 19 credit hours offered through several departments and programs throughout the university. The minor will consist of a two-semester prerequisite class called "Introduction to Law I and II" (PS 1182/1192), as well as the requirement that a student take PHI 1113 Introduction to Logic, and a Constitutional Law class (PS 3063, 3073, or AAS 3043/PS 3043) or Principles of Legal Writing (EN 4223). At least 9 of the 19 hours must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. 

The Pre-Law minor is designed to be a curriculum that is consistent with the best practice in preparing undergraduates for the study of law.  It has an interdisciplinary focus, creates a practicum like common experience, and focuses on analytic skill development. It will assist students in determining whether they desire to attend law school and will provide exposure to what they will encounter should they decide to attend law school.

Students interested in careers in law are encouraged to speak with Whit Waide, Pre-Law advisor. The Pre-Law advisor will provide guidance on the law school admissions test (LSAT), law school application process, and on selecting the best law school for you. For additional information contact Mr. Waide at wwaide@pspa.msstate.edu.

Dr. A. Randle and Marilyn W. White Health Professions Resource Center

Mary Celeste Reese, PhD; Director
Office: Rice Hall, Basement
Email: prehealth@msstate.edu
Phone: (662) 325-5966
Mailing address: 180 Magruder St, Mississippi State, MS 39762
Website: Prehealth.msstate.edu

The Health Professions Resource Center (HPRC) offers a centralized advising service to all current and former MSU students, regardless of major, interested in a health career path. Operating under the College of Arts and Sciences, the HPRC offers academic planning, assistance with the application process, reviewing personal statements, partnering with our Career Center to offer mock interviews, a summer MCAT prep course, informative workshops, along with many other helpful resources to support students to be competitive applicants. The HPRC helps support the following health careers, but are not limited to these concentrations:

  • Pre-Any Allied Health
  • Pre-Chiropractic Medicine
  • Pre-Dentistry
  • Pre-Medicine
  • Pre-Nursing
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy
  • Pre-Optometry
  • Pre-Pharmacy
  • Pre-Physical Therapy
  • Pre-Physician Assistant
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Many professional schools require a bachelor’s degree before matriculation. Even if a degree is not required, some students may wish to earn a degree from MSU before moving on to professional school. If a professional school requires a degree, a student must declare a major. None of the concentration areas listed above are majors. No specific major is preferred over another by professional schools, so students are encouraged to choose a major based on their academic interests. A major may be chosen from any of the colleges at MSU. Pre-health students who declare a major will have both a pre-health advisor and an academic advisor. Students seeking advice from a pre-health advisor will need to check in with the HPRC. Appointments are typically preferred.