Pre-Professional Programs
Army Reserve Officer Training Corps
Completion of the ROTC program at Wofford College earns graduating men and women commissions as second lieutenants in the United States Regular Army, the National Guard, or the United States Army Reserve. The program prepares students for all branches of the Army, except for those requiring additional study on the graduate- or professional-school level. Delays in beginning active service may be granted to commissioned students who wish to attend law, medical, or dental school.
The United States Army gives financial support to ROTC. This support includes provision of uniforms, textbooks, and equipment for students in the program. In addition, the Army offers scholarships to qualified students selected through a national competition.
Additional information on scholarships may be found in the Financial Aid & Scholarships portion of the Catalog. A description of program requirements can be found under Military Science section of Departments, Programs & Courses.
Pre-Engineering and Dual Degree Programs
Students interested in earning a degree in engineering can do so through the dual degree programs offered by Wofford in conjunction with Clemson University and Columbia University. Both programs require the completion of three years in the liberal arts curriculum at Wofford and then approximately two years in an engineering curriculum at either Clemson or Columbia. After a student has completed the general education requirements, certain prescribed courses in mathematics and the physical sciences at Wofford, and has been recommended by the adviser, s/he will be accepted into the engineering program at Clemson or Columbia. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a BS degree from Wofford College and a BS in Engineering from the partner institution. The pre-engineering program is tightly structured. The courses required for the dual-degree program depend on the choice of partner institution. Therefore, it is necessary to consult early and frequently with the program adviser at Wofford.
Pre-Health Care, Pre-Ministry and Pre-Law
Wofford College has an excellent reputation for preparing persons for the graduate study required for entry into medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine, the Christian ministry, and law. Generally, any of the College’s majors provide useful and appropriate background for students who wish to enter professional schools. There are, however, certain specific course requirements which must be met for admission to most professional and graduate schools. Therefore, it is necessary for interested students to consult early and frequently with the appropriate program adviser at Wofford.
Students interested in the health care fields should be aware of course requirements for admission to schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. They should obtain the necessary information before choosing a major or deciding upon elective course work. Advisers for each area can be found in the Student Handbook.
There are no specific course requirements or major which must be met for admission to law school. Wofford College has a suggested curriculum for students who wish to prepare for the practice of law. Electives should include English, American History, Government, Accounting, Economics, Ethics, Writing, and Public Speaking. Statistics, Logic, Philosophy, Psychology and Religion also are recommended. Pre-law students usually major in one of the Humanities or Social Sciences, but many science majors are also admitted to law school. The pre-law adviser is listed in the Student Handbook.
Students interested in Christian leadership and ministry are encouraged to affiliate with the Pre-ministerial Society and to establish a relationship with the college Chaplain, who offers opportunities for theological exploration of vocation, for mentoring, and for seminary preparation.
Pre- Management
Wofford and Wake Forest have established a partnership in which Wofford students who meet certain requirements are guaranteed acceptance to Wake’s 10- month Master of Arts (MA) in Management. The MA in Management is ideal for liberal arts, economics, and sciences graduates looking to gain a competitive edge in business. The program is open to students of all majors with the exception of those pursuing a degree in accounting or finance. Scholarships are assured, but amounts are based on GPA. The only recommended courses at the undergraduate level are ACCT 211 Accounting Principles and MATH 140 Statistics. Dr. Boyce Lawton coordinates the program at Wofford and should be consulted about details regarding entry to the program.
Pre-Education
To meet the basic eligibility requirements for teaching certification in South Carolina, candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree, pass the required Praxis assessments, and complete a background check. Additionally, prospective teachers must complete an approved South Carolina teacher preparation program. Students interested in earning their teaching credential can complete the introductory-level education courses and their chosen content area at Wofford prior to completing the final courses and licensure requirements at another institution. Licensure by the state of South Carolina is recognized by most other states through a program of reciprocity meaning students are approved to teach almost anywhere in the nation. Dr. Ed Welchel, Chair of Education, coordinates the education courses and certification path.
