Department of Exercise Science
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-370-6420 voice
503-370-6379 fax
Health Care Professions
Welcome to Willamette University’s health care professions web site. This site is for students (and alumni) with an interest in or currently performing paramedical care, nursing, podiatry, occupational and physical therapy, physician assistant training, athletic training, or other sport-related health professions. Students interested in medicine, dentistry, optometry or veterinary medicine, should primarily consult Willamette's pre-med site, maintained by the Department of Biology.
In both sites, the Department of Exercise Science and Department of Biology have a reciprocal, coordinated, and integrated relationship with the committed objective of providing appropriate and up-to-date information. Students and alumni should explore both areas because there is congruency of academic requirements for all pre-health concentrations.
Within the health care professions site, you can find the help you need in preparing for a future in a health care profession and check the related links for additional resources for current and future health care professionals. In addition, we have provided a few important websites to assist you with learning more about different health professions.
PT Programs
Website currently unavailable
Occupational Therapy Graduate Programs
http://www.aota.org/Educate/Schools.aspx
http://www.aota.org/Students/FAQDegrees.aspx
Nurse Practitioner
http://www.allnursingschools.com/nursing-degree/nurse-practitioner
Physician's Assistance Programs
http://www.gradschools.com/ListingFunctions/SearchResults.aspx?SubjectId=315&Country=USA&State=&Keyword=&ProgramType=0&Page=
MPH programs
http://www.ceph.org/files/public/Master_List.v.18.pdf
Frequently-asked Questions
The questions below are some of the most common asked about the health care professions program.
Q: What are some occupations within the health care field?
A: This is but a short list of possibilities for a professional career in the health care field:
- Athletic Trainer
- Chiropractor
- Dentist
- Epidemiologist
- Exercise Physiologist
- Health for Consumers
- Laboratory Technician
- Medical Administrator
- Nurse
- Nutritionist
- Occupational Therapist
- Optometrist
- Orthopedic Technologist
- Pharmacologist
- Physical Therapist
- Physician Assistant
- Podiatrist
- Radiologist
Q: Must I choose Exercise Science as a major for a future career in health care?
A: Although you may select any major, health care professional programs and graduate schools require specific courses that are prerequisite for admission. The EXSCI curriculum encompasses the majority of these prerequisite courses. Thus you will fulfill most of the admission standards for health care professions while simultaneously completing the requirements for the major.
Q: What additional courses outside the Exercise Science major should I take?
A: Most health care professions require:
- at least a year of chemistry (CHEM 115 and Chem 116) and some require an organic chemistry course,
- a year of physics or at least one semester of introductory physics,
- upper division psychology (for those interested in physical therapy),
- microbiology,
- statistics and research design courses,
Q: Is there a particular sequence that I should follow when I take these courses?
A: There is no required sequence, although several courses have prerequisites. Thus we have prepared the following recommendations:
- Take the introductory EXSCI course (EXSCI 135) during your first or second semester. It will prepare you for the major; help develop your analytical skills, writing skills, presentation skills; and, determine your attributes for a future health care profession.
- An entry level biology course is highly recommended during your first two semesters as it prepares you for human anatomy and physiology.
- Take human anatomy (BIOL 246) between your second and fourth semesters.
- Take human physiology (BIOl 260) immediately or within one semester after human anatomy (BIOL 246).
- Take exercise physiology (EXSCI 360) as close to human physiology (BIOL 260) as possible.
- Take your chemistry series within your first four semesters.
- Take physics (PHYS 225) prior to biomechanics (EXSCI 346) (if you are taking physics).
- Take statistics (MATH 138 ore equivalent) just prior to research design (EXSCI 356W).
- You need to successfully complete EXSCI 135 prior to enrolling in EXSCI 356W.
- You need to successfully complete EXSCI 356W prior to enrolling in the Senior Seminal course (EXSCI 496).
Q: I am a pre-med student. Should I consider taking Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses, even though medical schools do not require these courses?
A: We recommend that you do so, because several medical and dental programs are now requiring human anatomy and physiology. These courses will also benefit you during your preparation for the M-CAT exam. In addition, previous exposure to, and experience with human anatomy and physiology will make your anatomy and physiology classes at medical school significantly less stressful. Finally, if you decide to pursue a health-related career other than as a physician, these classes are usually required and certainly beneficial.
Q: I have decided to become a registered nurse, but Willamette does not offer a four-year nursing program. Should I transfer to another institution?
A: It depends upon the course work you have already completed at Willamette. You also need to consider that there are many accelerated nursing programs. Accelerated nursing programs are an excellent alternative to transferring and may be a better solution. You should consult an Exercise Science advisor to discuss your options.
Recommended Curriculum Timeline
The suggested program below is a recommended process; you should consult with an health care professions advisor no later than the beginning of your Junior Year.
Freshman Year
Enroll in liberal arts requirements; concentrate on chemistry, math and entry-level biology courses.Sophomore Year
Continue with liberal arts requirements, but include human anatomy and physiology. Also consider continuing chemistry and begin taking physics courses. Students should enroll in EXSCI 135 either as freshmen or by the beginning of the sophomore year. This course will provide students with the numerous opportunities available within the Exercise Science discipline as well as prepare them for successful completion of this discipline.Junior Year
Students must declare a major during their junior year. After four semesters, students should have decided whether to pursue a pre-medical or pre-health care profession. Those who pursue the latter should continue with the ExSci core and select appropriate electives from the ExSci curriculum. Students must consult a pre-health care professions advisor and investigate the various health care professional options, concentrating on that profession’s graduate school requirements for application.Senior Year
All pre-health care professions students will present a senior research paper or project as well as do volunteer work or internship within the chosen profession. Complete Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and prepare graduate applications.
Advisors
Peter A. Harmer, Ph.D., ATC, MPH, FACSM
- Professor and Chair
- Sparks Center 210
- 503-370-6470
- pharmer@willamette.edu
