The College of St. Joseph has two new majors within its Health Science Division. Beginning with the fall semester, the college will offer a pre-med concentration and a pre-athletic training concentration to the bachelor of science degree. The two new tracks were established in response to demand from current students as well as the indicated preferences of applicants during the 2016-17 school year.

The pre-med concentration features a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare undergraduates for the challenges of medical school. The broad curriculum includes courses in microbiology, genetics, calculus, organic chemistry and physics and provides fundamental knowledge students will utilize throughout medical school studies.

CSJ’s pre-athletic training track is a prescribed four-year plan that will prepare students for graduate study in athletic training or similar allied health fields. “This new program will enable students to pursue a career at the junction of athletics and health science,” said Dr. Lara Bowers, CSJ’s director of health sciences.

A central component of the new pre-athletic training curriculum is the internship in athletic training, which requires students to complete at least 50 hours of hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer. Placement opportunities at local high schools and colleges will be available to students in the program.

“The unique opportunity CSJ provides in terms of these programs and the rest of our health science majors has to do with athletes and a personalized plan for success,” Bowers said. “At most universities, student-athletes have a hard time majoring in science due to the schedule conflicts between labs and sport practices. Here at CSJ, schedules are flexible so that athletes can major in health science. We also work with individual athletes so they don’t miss out on learning while they’re traveling for games.”

Incoming pre-med and pre-AT students may benefit from College of St. Joseph’s 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Those interested in learning more about CSJ may visit csj.edu.

College of St. Joseph is an independent Catholic college that educates men and women of varied faiths and backgrounds for lives of continuing personal and professional growth, intellectual development and service to the community. Located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, CSJ offers more than 30 associate, master and graduate degree programs and is home to the state’s first Traumatology Institute.