Preparation for Professional Schools

Each year, many Carleton graduates and alumni continue their education in a variety of professional and graduate schools.  Carleton does not provide a set curriculum for professional/graduate school preparation, and does not offer pre-professional (i.e. pre-law, pre-med) majors.  Instead, a regular program of studies in one of the established major fields is recommended as the best preparation for further training. In consultation with their faculty advisers, department chair, and other academic and career advisers, students can arrange a program of study which best suits their own needs and objectives.

Students planning to enter any of the professions listed below should see the chair of their department and the appropriate pre-professional adviser. The staff at the Career Center can provide assistance to students who are seeking more information about these career fields as well as internship and other exploratory opportunities and information.

Architecture

Graduate schools of architecture do not require a specific major but most require or recommend drawing (ARTS 110, see also ARTS 113 and 210), calculus, and physics. A portfolio of visual materials is also required; students may want to take additional courses in studio art in order to build up their portfolio. Courses in the history of art and architecture are further recommended. For information consult the chair of the Department of Art and Art History.

Business and Management

Many Carleton grads obtain careers in the management of business firms, government agencies, and nonprofit enterprises. Potential employers as well as graduate schools of business urge students to take courses in economics, mathematics, computer programming and statistics. Interested students can discuss careers in these fields with the chair or any member of the economics department, as well as with advisers in the Career Center.

Chemistry

The American Chemical Society Certified Chemistry Major.  The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a professional society for chemists that has provided guidelines to baccalaureate institutions on best practices for teaching chemistry to undergraduate students. An ACS certified chemistry major requires more advanced study within the chemistry department. Students interested in continuing in chemistry after graduation in either graduate school or industry should consider the guidelines of the ACS certified chemistry major when planning their studies.  More detailed information can be found on the webpage for the chemistry major.

Public Education

The Carleton licensure program is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Teaching and is in full compliance with federal Title II regulations for disclosure of state-mandated Praxis examination pass rates. For 2007-2008, the most recent year for which data are available, the Carleton licensure candidate pass rates were 100% for all areas (as shown in this disclosure statement).

Engineering

Carleton provides options for a 3-2 Engineering Program, also called the Combined Plan Program or Dual-Degree Program. The 3-2 program allows students to spend three years at Carleton and two years at an engineering school receiving dual degrees, a B.A. from Carleton and a B.S. in engineering from a partner engineering institution. We currently have formal partnerships with Columbia University and Washington University, which also offer a 4-2 version of the program.

More detailed information about the program can be found on the physics website.

Law

The best pre-law education is a rigorous liberal arts education.  You won’t find a “pre-law” major at Carleton.  In fact, most law schools discourage such programs.  Any Carleton major can be a great background for someone considering a career in law.  There are no specific courses you need to take to prepare for law school, but your schedule should include as many courses as possible requiring writing, oral analysis, research, and significant quantitative work.  To help you prepare for the types of logic problems that occur on the LSAT and in law school courses, PHIL 210 (Logic), may be helpful.

A Combined Plan in Law is offered in cooperation with the Columbia University School of Law. Under this plan a student combines three years of study at Carleton with three years at Columbia Law School. After completion of the six year program, the student is awarded two degrees, a BA degree from Carleton and a JD degree from Columbia.  Application should be made early in the junior year.

Any student interested in pursuing a career in law, should meet with Carleton’s pre-law adviser, Erin Chamlee (Career Center).

Library and Information Science

People with degrees in library and/or information science are employed in a wide range of settings, including academic, public, school and specialized libraries, archives, historical societies, and museums, as well as in business, government, and information technology. A master’s degree from a school of library and information science accredited by the American Library Association is the credential usually needed by those planning a career in librarianship or related fields.

Any undergraduate major is acceptable for those planning to go to library school; however there is a particular demand for people with science and social science backgrounds.  Course work and practical experience in organizing, retrieving, manipulating, and presenting information are highly valued, as is teaching and working directly with information seekers. Students with an interest in librarianship or related fields can gain practical experience through a wide variety of student jobs in the College library and Archives. Carleton’s librarians and archivists are always eager to talk with students about work in library and information management settings. Contact the College Librarian for a referral to a local librarian or other information professional.

Healthcare

Students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare fields (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, public health, physical therapy and nursing, for example) should discuss their plans and questions with Pam Middleton, pre-med adviser during their first year at Carleton. Most students who plan to enter schools of allopathic or osteopathic medicine major in a science, but a major in any field is acceptable providing certain basic science courses are included. For detailed information, see the pre-med website.