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Pre-Med Low Cost Science Specializations

Offering pre-medical tracks into a variety of medical fields such as optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, and others, Southwest’s Science Associate degree with the Pre-medical specialization can set you on the path to quickly complete an advanced degree.

Entry into some professional schools can be accomplished with credentials attained at Southwest, without the need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree.

Connect with the Pre-medical Academic Advisor who can tailor your academic plan to meet the requirements of your chosen career field and transfer institution.

I’m Interested!

View the full program requirements for the general Pre-medical Specialization and list of courses you’ll take.

Academic Advisor Professor Georgia Householder
georgia.householder@sw.edu
Russell Hall, (276) 964-7397

REQUEST INFORMATION

Congratulations to these students who have been accepted into pharmacy schools for fall 2024.

Kylie Bostic has been accepted into Appalachian College of Pharmacy and will be attending ACP in fall 2024.

Madison Deskins has been accepted into Appalachian College of Pharmacy and will be attending ACP in fall 2024.

Dalton Jenkins has been accepted into Appalachian College of Pharmacy and will be attending ACP in fall 2024.

Emily Justus has been accepted into Appalachian College of Pharmacy and will be attending ACP in fall 2024.

Meranda Quinley has been accepted into Appalachian College of Pharmacy and will be attending ACP in fall 2024.

Drew Simmons has been accepted into Appalachian College of Pharmacy and will be attending ACP in fall 2024.

Left to right: Landan Harris and Dylan Brown, Science Pre-Medical majors, volunteered at the Remote Area Medical Clinics on October 7, 2023, with the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry clinic.

Science Pre-Medical

Landan Harris and Dylan Brown, Science Pre-Medical majors, volunteered at the Remote Area Medical Clinics on October 7, 2023. Both students volunteered with the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry professors and students. Mr. Harris and Mr. Brown are pursuing the pre-optometry track according to the SWCC articulation agreement with the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry in Pikeville, KY. The optometry school provides three SWCC students preferential admission and accepts all SWCC online classes and labs.

Left to right, Madison Deskins, Dr. Ed Talbott of ACP, Meranda Quinley. Students, Deskins and Quinley, volunteered with Remote Area Medical ACP clinic on Oct. 7, 2023.

Science Pre-Medical

Madison Deskins and Meranda Quinley, Science Pre-Medical majors, volunteered at the Remote Area Medical Clinics on October 7, 2023. They volunteered with the Appalachian College of Pharmacy professors and students. Ms. Deskins is pursuing the pre-pharmacy track according to the SWCC articulation agreement with the Appalachian College of Pharmacy in Oakwood, VA. Ms. Quinley has been accepted for the fall 2024. The pharmacy school provides SWCC students preferential admission and accepts all SWCC online classes and labs.

Pre-Medical Specialization Tracks Lead to Rewarding Medical Careers

ADMISSION AGREEMENTS to PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS

Sherman College of Chiropractic

The Sherman College of Chiropractic will provide a reserved seat to a SWCC student for preferential admission to the Sherman College of Chiropractic program. See the Sherman College Admissions Guide.

UPike Doctor of Optometry

The University of Pikeville will provide up to three SWCC students preferential admission to UPike’s Doctor of Optometry program through the Reserved Student Placement Program. See the UPike Admissions Guide.

Appalachian College of Pharmacy

SWCC students who graduate with an AA&S degree in science with a pre-medical specialization and a pre-pharmacy track are provided preferential admission to Appalachian College of Pharmacy when compared to similar applicants from non-partner institutions. See the ACP Admissions Guide.

ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy

SWCC has a smooth transition, and all coursework needed, for the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy ETSU Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. See the ETSU Transfer Guide.

Marshall University School of Pharmacy

An articulation agreement between Marshall University and SWCC promotes the pathway for SWCC Science graduates into the Marshall University School of Pharmacy. See the Marshall Admissions Guide.

SWCC Alumni Receive Numerous Awards at 2022 VCU MLS Pinning

The Virginia Commonwealth University pinning ceremony for the Medical Laboratory Sciences program was held recently in Richmond, VA for 2022 graduates. Pictured are the students of the MLS program at the Higher Ed Center in Abingdon, VA.  Four of the five graduates are Southwest alumni, with several alumni receiving statewide awards and other recognition.

Alex Counts and Garyn Stowers both received awards out of all the MLS students on all Virginia Commonwealth University campuses.  Both Alex and Garyn received the most prestigious departmental scholarship, the A.D. Williams award, and they both also received the AACC Clinical Chemistry Student of the Year award for the VA, MD, DE, D.C. region.

Alex Counts also received the Kupfer Award, which is given to the best all-around medical laboratory student of the year.

Jacob Compton completed the SWCC Microbiology course, which helped prepare him to receive the overall VCU MLS achievement award in Microbiology.

Southwest is proud of these students and their hard work and academic dedication for which they received these honors and recognitions.

FEATURED GUARANTEED ADMISSION PROGRAM

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY GUARANTEED ADMISSION AGREEMENT

Congratulations to these students accepted into the Medical Laboratory Sciences program: Mariah Lint, Jacob Compton, Garyn Stowers, and Alex Counts.

All instructional and clinical training take place in Abingdon, VA at the Higher Education Center and local area hospitals. SWCC students pictured graduated with an AA&S degree in Science Pre-Med. Students must meet all of the criteria listed in the articulation agreement with SWCC and VCU to be guaranteed admission to the VCU B.S.  in MLS.

For more information contact Professor Householder at georgia.householder@sw.edu

medical lab sciences
l-r: Mariah Lint, Jacob Compton, Garyn Stowers, Alex Counts

University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Optometry | UPIKE RESERVED STUDENT PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Congratulations to Paige Smith!

Paige Smith has been accepted to the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry. She enters KYCO after completing an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree with a major in Science and a Pre-Medical specialization and the Advanced Studies in Science CSC at SWCC.

She will be joining her sister, Taylor Hart, who is in her third year. Ms. Smith will have completed 90 hours of course work which will include the KYCO pre-requisites and benchmarks in two years and one summer. Due to the free tuition program, Ms. Smith will start KYCO debt free. SWCC has an articulation agreement with KYCO and the optometry college accepts all SWCC online classes. For more information contact Professor Householder at georgia.householder@sw.edu

paige smith

Congratulations to Alexus Cline!

Ms. Cline completed 90 hours of course work which included the pre-requisites in two years and one summer and met all benchmarks for KYCO. Due to the free tuition program, she will start KYCO debt free. SWCC has an articulation agreement with KYCO and the optometry college accepts all online classes.

Alexus Cline has been accepted to the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry. She attends KYCO after completing an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree with a major in Science and a Pre-Medical specialization and the Advanced Studies in Science CSC at SWCC.

alexus cline

Congratulations to Carson Sykes!

Carson Sykes has been accepted to the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry. He attends KYCO after completing an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree with a major in Science and a Pre-Medical specialization and the Advanced Studies in Science CSC at SWCC.

Mr. Sykes will have completed 90 hours of course work which will include the KYCO pre-requisites and benchmarks in two years and one summer. SWCC has an articulation agreement with KYCO, and the optometry college accepts all online classes.

carson sykes

GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT

vision clinic volunteers

Pictured Paige Smith, Alexus Cline, Carson Sykes

Science Pre-Med students volunteered at the Health Wagon Vision Clinic in Clintwood, VA on September 28 and 29, 2020. SWCC has an articulation agreement with the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry in Pikeville, KY. The optometry school provides three SWCC students preferential admission and accepts all SWCC online classes and labs.

corey whited

Corey Whited earns the prestigious Valley Proteins Fellowship

Southwest Virginia Community College is delighted to announce that Corey M. Whited has been selected as part of the prestigious Valley Proteins Fellows Program. Read the full story.

Jodi-Lee Bailey, Registered Dietician Major

jodi lee baiely

Virginia Tech Transfer

Jodie-Lee Bailey has been accepted to Virginia Tech College of Agriculture & Life Sciences with the CALS agreement. She will begin her studies with a major of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise – Dietetics this fall.

Alexis Rhudy has been accepted to the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience. She will begin her studies in Clinical Neuroscience with VT this fall.

Alexis Rhudy, Clinical Neuroscience Major

lindsey dye

Old Dominion University Doctor of Physical Therapy

ALUMNUS RECEIVES WHITE COAT CLASS OF 2022

Lindsey Dye completed an AA&S degree with a major in Science and a Pre-Medical specialization at Southwest. She graduated from Virginia Tech in December 2018 with a BS degree in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise.

Lindsey was accepted into the Old Dominion University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Norfolk, VA. She received her white coat on September 27th, 2019, and is in the Class of 2022.

IN-DEMAND CLASSES – Lecture & Lab Online (Check the schedule for availability)

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
The Anatomy & Physiology I & II course (BIO 141/142) and lab are offered online during the spring, summer & fall terms.

CHEMISTRY
A 4-credit Introductory Biochemistry course (CHM 260/261) and lab are offered online during the summer term.

MICROBIOLOGY
A General Microbiology course (BIO 205) and lab are offered online during the spring term.
General Genetics (BIO 256) lecture/lab is offered online during the fall term.

PHYSICS
The General College Physics I & II courses (PHY 201/202) and labs are offered online during the summer and fall terms. A University Physics course (PHY 241/242) and lab are offered online during fall & spring terms.

STATISTICS
The Statistics I course (MTH 245) is offered online during Spring.  Mr. Bill Fiess is the instructor.

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