Wells' pre-professional programs provide students with an opportunity for a well-rounded education that will be an invaluable resource throughout their working career and all aspects of their life. The particular coursework, internships, and experiential training a student will need depends on the graduate program they are interested in. Wells College offers tailored, individualized guidance to help students prepare for their dream career: our faculty advisors are here to help.
Art Therapy
This pre-professional program combines a focus in visual art and studio art with a strong foundation in psychology to help students work toward a career in art therapy. This career path is meant for those who value art's ability to enrich patients' lives, and wish to employ art-making within a psychotherapeutic practice. To become an art therapist, a student must advance on to a graduate program in the field, followed by state and national licensure.
By participating in this pre-professional program, students will have completed the coursework to present a strong application to graduate programs in the field, and will be guided toward opportunities to participate in additional courses, internships and programming that can further strengthen their applications.
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Pre-law
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 College alumnae/i 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.
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Health Professions (including Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and other health professions)
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.
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Education Program (including Childhood, Teaching Students with Disabilities, and Adolescence certification)
The Wells education program is designed to train professional educators for the demands of the 21st century. Wells prepares teachers to have critical understanding of current theory and to be responsive and skilled practitioners. The program at Wells is registered with New York State and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Students who complete the Inclusive Childhood Education major and pass the required New York State examinations qualify for initial New York State certification in general Childhood Education (grades 1–6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (grades 1-6).
Students who complete the Adolescence Education Certification Program (the education minor, a major in the supporting content area, plus a full semester of student teaching) and pass the required New York State examinations qualify for initial certification (grades 7–12).