Pre-law

Advisors: Nancy Karpinski, Director of Career Development Services
and Sandra Marshall, Visiting Instructor of Political Science

Wells College is a member of the Northeast Association of Pre-law Advisers and offers counseling to students who wish to pursue the graduate study of law. The pre-law advisers assist students in planning their undergraduate programs, preparing for the LSAT, and completing law school applications. Students intending to prepare for law school may begin working with the advisers in their first year. Special programs held on campus will introduce students to representatives from law schools and to Wells alumnae who have completed law school. Wells College also participates in Law School Day at Cornell University each fall. 

The preparation for law school at Wells is based upon the Association of Law Schools' recommendation that a broad liberal arts curriculum best prepares students for the multi-disciplinary study of law. In addition to the student's major area of study, the student is encouraged to participate in the Wells College internship program and gain practical experience in a law-related setting.
 

Pre-health Professions (including Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and other health professions) 

Advisor: Professor Shilepsky

Also see: The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Group site

The Wells College Pre-health Advisory Group provides advice to students interested in the health professions.  As an adjunct to the regular academic advisor, a member of this group also serves as the student’s individual advisor in all matters related to this career choice.

Medical schools recommend an undergraduate preparation that combines a thorough grounding in science breadth and depth of study in the liberal arts, and a major that matches the interest and aptitude of the student.  A course of studies that meets medical and dental school admissions requirements and prepares students for nationally administered admissions examinations normally includes two semesters each of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English.  Pre-veterinary study would consist of these 10 courses and also a semester of microbiology and/or biochemistry.  Many other health professions schools (e.g. schools of optometry, osteopathy, and chiropractic) have similar requirements.

Wells College sophomores have taken advantage of Early Assurance Programs at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and College of Medicine of the Health Science Center at Syracuse.  A student accepted to these programs is guaranteed a place in the medical school’s entering class two years later. 

In conjunction with the College of Veterinary Medicine of Cornell University, Wells College offers a 3 /4 B.A./D.V.M. program (see 3/2 and 3/4 Programs).  A formal agreement also entitles any interested Wells student to participate in Cornell veterinary externships (research and/or practice), Pre-veterinary Society events, and special advising.

The academic program at Wells includes extensive internship and abundant research opportunities both on and off campus.  The combination of academic program, practical experience, and comprehensive individual advising has given Wells students an excellent record in admission to schools in the health professions.
 

Educational Studies Program

Advisor: Professor Talbot

The Wells education program is designed to train professional educators for the demands
of the 21st century. Wells prepares teachers to have a critical understanding of current
theory and to be responsive and skilled practitioners.  As a field-based program, each course requires work in area classrooms. 

General Requirements:

1. Application for acceptance into the education program must be approved by education
    faculty.

2. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 overall and in their major.

3. Students must complete required course work and 100 hours of field experience in
education prior to student teaching. Student teaching placement will be determined by Wells faculty in cooperation with regional school personnel. No placement will be
approved without the Wells faculty involvement. Student teaching requires a total of 15 weeks of full-time work in two classrooms at the appropriate grade levels/content area for the certification sought. 

NOTE: 
Student teachers will be expected to provide their own transportation and, if necessary, their own housing.

4. Students will be required to attend seminars on substance abuse, child abuse, and
    school violence.

5. Candidates for initial teaching certification will be required to take standardized tests
sponsored by the New York State Education Department in addition to the courses
required by the program and submit to a fingerprint check prior to certification. 

NOTE:
Changes in the requirements for initial teacher certification became effective in 2004.
Students need to maintain close contact with the advisors in this program throughout
their time at Wells.

During the 2006-2007 academic year, 54 students were enrolled in Wells College’s
teacher education program. Five of these students participated in student teaching
during that academic year, teaching an average of 35 hours per week for a period of 15
weeks. These same five students completed the teacher education program at Wells
during 2006-2007 and 100% of those who took the state ATS-W (Assessment of Teaching
Skills-Written) passed the test. For the LAST (Liberal Arts and Sciences Test) as well, 100% of those who took it passed the test. The statewide pass rate for the ATS-W during this same
period was 99%, while the statewide pass rate for the LAST was also 99%. For the CST (Content Specialty Test), 100% of those who took it passed the test. The statewide pass rate for the CST was 95%.

This year, Title II legislation requires us to report an update on pass rates for students who 
completed the education program during the 2003-2004 year. Of the 13 who took the ATS-W,  100% passed. Of those who took the LAST, 93% passed.The comparable statewide pass rates were 99% for both tests.
 

Elementary Education (Childhood Education 1-6)

The elementary education minor/teacher initial certification program is open to any qualified Wells student. Students who choose elementary education can major in a variety of academic areas including English, mathematics, the sciences, history, psychology, and sociology. Each elementary education course at Wells is designed in collaboration with cooperating teachers, and therefore the program is field-based in all respects. 

NOTE: 
For certification there are additional requirements beyond the elementary education
minor. See the director of elementary and secondary education for more information.
 

Secondary Education (Adolescent Education 7-12)

The secondary education minor/teacher initial certification program is open to any qualified
Wells student. Students who choose secondary education will normally major in the subject
area most closely related to the field they will teach. Certification in biology, chemistry,
English, German, French, mathematics, physics, social studies, and Spanish is available.

NOTE: 
For certification there are additional requirements beyond the secondary education
minor. See the director of elementary and secondary education for more information.
 

Military: Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC)

Wells College students are eligible to participate in the Air Force ROTC Program at Cornell
University, and in some cases qualified students can earn a full or partial scholarship. The 
objective of the Air Force ROTC Program is to prepare students for positions as officers in 
the United States Air Force. The program is designed to teach students about the mission 
and organization of the Air Force, the historical development of airpower, leadership, and 
management. Students study national security policy and the role of the military in a 
democratic society. Wells College students register and receive credit for these courses 
through the Cornell Extramural Office. Anyone interested in pursuing this program should 
consult with the director of academic advising or the registrar.