Degrees & Programs
Pre-Professional Programs
Washington & MNU COOPERATIVE PROGRAM
The MNU-WashU Cooperative Program gives MNU students an accelerated pathway to obtain dual bachelor’s degrees from MNU and from Washington University. Students choose to spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to Washington University for 2 years to earn a bachelor’s degree or for 3 years to get a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering. While studying at MNU, students also have time to pursue athletics, music, and other extracurricular activities. At Washington University, students have access to a top ranked engineering school with a wide variety of engineering specializations.
K-STATE & MNU COOPERATIVE PROGRAM
The MNU & K-State Cooperative Program gives MNU students the opportunity to earn up to 9 credit hours toward their bachelor’s degree by taking advanced science courses at K-State Olathe. These courses also count as graduate credit toward an M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science or a Professional Science Master’s degree in Applied Biosciences. This allows MNU students the opportunity to access courses not offered at MNU with the potential for an accelerated pathway to a master’s degree.
Kansas City University & MNU COOPERATIVE PROGRAM
The MNU-KCU cooperative program gives MNU students an accelerated pathway to becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) while earning an undergraduate degree from MNU. Students spend 3 years at MNU completing all the general education courses as well as prerequisite science courses and then transfer to KCU for 4 years to complete the requirements to become a DO or DMD. This shortens the path to their goal by one full year.
contacts for
more information
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
2030 East College Way
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
Actuarial Sciences
Mark Brown, PhD
mabrown@mnu.edu
Athletic Training, PT, OT & Chiropractic Science
Chris Crawford
cpcrawford@mnu.edu
Engineering
Jordan Mantha, PhD
jhmantha@mnu.edu
Health Sciences
Rion Taylor, PhD
rgtaylor@mnu.edu
Mental Health
Rick Hanson, PhD
rdhanson@mnu.edu
Law & Public Safety
Todd Hiestand, JD
tchiestand@mnu.edu
Veterinary
Jill Speicher
jrspeicher@mnu.edu
pre professional preprofessional Preprofessional
Pre-professional programs are simply undergraduate majors, combined with proper advising, that prepare you for a professional degree after you graduate with a bachelor’s degree from MNU. A pre-professional program is not a major in the traditional sense, it’s a path to follow that usually leads to another degree at the graduate level before you begin your career. An MNU faculty advisor will help you chart your path. Remember, completing a pre-professional program does not guarantee admission to a professional program.You are responsible for completing all the requirements for the programs that you want to apply to, but your academic advisor is here to help. Advisors are your guide to get where you’re going.

Our professors meet with and mentor students regularly to make sure they’re meeting the prerequisites. They conduct mock interviews twice each year to help prepare students for the graduate and professional program admission process.
MNU has several cooperative programs with graduate-level professional programs. Our latest, with K-State Olathe, allows MNU undergraduates in the sciences to take nine hours of advanced science courses at K-State Olathe toward a bachelor’s degree. These courses may also count as graduate credit toward the M.S. in veterinary biomedical science or Professional Science Master in Applied Biosciences degree if the student is accepted upon undergraduate graduation.
The bottom line? With a little planning, a lot of hard work, and a little help from us, you’ll be on your way to reaching your goals.
You should know
Pre-Professional program advising can include:
- Prerequisite classes
- Entrance exam coaching
- Volunteer work advising
- Application process and requirements
- Mock entrance interviews
Acceptance to any professional program is an extremely competitive and space-limited process. Most MNU students that succeed in the application and interview process get accepted to a professional program upon graduation.

recent pre-professional program placements
- Pennsylvania State PhD in Organic Chemistry program
- University of Iowa Doctor of Physical Therapy program
- Northern Arizona University Doctor of Physical Therapy program
- Avila University Master of Science in Kinesiology program
- University of St. Mary Doctor of Physical Therapy program
- University of Kansas Doctor of Pharmacy program
- University of Kansas Master of Science in Athletic Training
- Rockhurst University Doctor of Physical Therapy program
*Don’t see your pre-professional program listed? Ask us! We’re certain we can get you to where you want to go.
**Remember, you can take any major at MNU and still get into a pre-professional program. Some majors might make it easier to get accepted into the pre-professional program of your choice, but it’s really up to you.
K-state olathe

Undergraduates at MidAmerica Nazarene University can earn up to nine credit hours toward their bachelor’s degree by taking advanced science courses at K-State Olathe.
These courses may also count as graduate credit toward the K-State M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science and Professional Science Master in Applied Biosciences degrees, if the student is accepted to one of these programs after completing their MNU undergraduate degree.
common pre-professional programs* | common careers | mnu recommended major(s) ** | faculty advisor contact |
---|---|---|---|
Actuarial Science | Actuary, Insurance Underwriter, Risk Manager, Analyst | Mathematics | Mark Brown |
Athletic Training | Athletic Trainer, Exercise Physiologist | Kinesiology | Chris Crawford |
Chiropractic | Chiropractor | Kinesiology | Chris Crawford |
Counseling | Counselor | Psychology | Rick Hanson |
Dental/Dentistry | Dentist, Orthodontist | Biology | Rion Taylor |
Engineering | Biomedical Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Computer Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | Jordan Mantha |
Law/Pre-Law | Lawyer, Judge | History, Business, Criminal Justice | Todd Hiestand |
Medicine/Medical Doctor/Pre-Med | Doctor | Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology | Rion Taylor |
Occupational Therapy | Occupational Therapist (OT) | Kinesiology | Chris Crawford |
Optometry | Optometrist, Ophthalmologist | Biology, Chemistry | Rion Taylor |
Pharmacy | Pharmacist | Biology, Chemistry | Rion Taylor |
Physical Therapy | Physical Therapist (PT) | Kinesiology | Chris Crawford |
Physician Assistant | Physician’s Assistant (PA) | Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology | Rion Taylor |
Psychiatrist | Psychiatrist, Psychologist | Psychology, Sociology | Rick Hanson |
Public Safety | Police Officer, Corrections Officer | Criminal Justice, Sociology | Todd Hiestand |
Sports Medicine | Athletic Trainer, Exercise Physiologist | Biology, Physiology | Chris Crawford |
Social Work | Social Worker | Sociology | Alan Young |
Veterinary Science | Veterinarian | Biology, Chemistry | Jill Speicher |