Undergraduate Concentrations

The concentration of medical companies and institutions in and around Worcester gives students myriad opportunities to complete projects, co-ops, internships, and volunteering and community service work. WPI also has special agreements with several health professions programs that give students an advantage in the application process:

• Early Acceptance program at Tufts Veterinary School 
• Early Acceptance program at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Assured acceptance to health professions programs at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)

Each program has specific requirements; be sure to contact Pre-Health Advisor Elizabeth Jacoby at prehealth@wpi.edu for more information.

Wondering where WPI graduates go on to study? Here are just a few examples:

• Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Boston University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Eastern Virginia Medical College
• Howard University
• Northwestern University
• Penn State
• Tufts University
• University of California San Francisco
• University of Connecticut
• University of Massachusetts
• University of New England
• University of Tennessee
• University of Toledo

WPI doesn’t require particular courses for Pre-Health studies, but you are encouraged to meet with Pre-Health Advisor Elizabeth Jacoby to design a plan that fulfills the prerequisite courses for your postgraduate program of choice. Remember, prerequisites will vary by school and program. The Pre-Health Canvas site also offers additional resources (email prehealth@wpi.edu for access).

• Pre-dental: Dental schools typically require a year (or three terms at WPI) of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics—all with sufficient lab work. Additional requirements vary by school.
  • Your best source for getting started may be found on the American Dental Education Association website.
• Pre-med: Medical schools typically require a year (or three terms at WPI) of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics—all with sufficient lab work. Additional requirements vary by school.
  • Refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements for more details about prerequisites.
  • Your best source for getting started may be found on the Association of American Medical Colleges website.
• Pre-PA: These programs typically require chemistry, anatomy and physiology, biology, and microbiology, among other courses. Most PA programs also require prior healthcare experience with hands-on patient care. 
  • Your best source for getting started may be found on the American Academy of Physician’s Assistants website.
  • The AAPA website also offers examples of positions for you to gain experience in patient care
• Pre-vet: Veterinary programs vary in required coursework, but some common requirements include biology, zoology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, English or writing, humanities and social sciences, and statistics.
  • Your best source for getting started may be found on the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges website.

• Career Exploration: Want a career in healthcare but not sure of the specific path you’d like to take? Talk with your Pre-Health Advisor or the Career Development Center, be sure to attend the Graduate and Professional School Fair in the fall, or explore different career opportunities in the health field.
• Entrance Exam Guidance (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.): Each kind of professional school requires an entrance exam score as part of your application—connect with your Pre-Health Advisor to determine which one to take, when to take it, how to study for it, and more.
• Application Support and Student Organizations: Your Pre-Health advisor and the Pre-Health Committee are here to help you through the professional school application process; several on-campus student groups will also give you the chance to connect with like-minded peers and take advantage of networking and volunteer opportunities.

There are several unique considerations for international students looking to apply to health professions programs, and access may vary depending on your program of interest. Connect with your Pre-Health Advisor to determine the most attainable program for you, or check out the resources below for clarification on applying to professional school as an international student:

• Dental School: Information for International Students
• Medical School: Applying to Medical School as an International Student
• Veterinary School: See individual school policies

Attending professional school directly after earning your undergraduate degree isn’t required—in fact, many students choose to take a gap year to finish prerequisites, gain experience, conduct research, or travel. Whether you’ve graduated from WPI in 2013 or 2023, you’re able to utilize the services of the Pre-Health Advisor and Committee and apply for a committee letter at any time. If you’re a WPI graduate interested in applying to a health professions program, email prehealth@wpi.edu for more information.

There are abundant opportunities for you to connect with your peers through the Pre-law Society and its myriad activities and events:

• Campus visits from patent lawyers, law school faculty, judges, public defenders, and law school admissions officers
• Mock trial teams that compete in American Mock Trial Association regional tournaments

In addition to your IQP and MQP, you’ll also complete Projects in Law & Technology (IQP Division 52), which will give you the chance to study legal and political controversies that arise from the use, regulation, or impact of technology on legal institutions.

Applications are due in mid-November annually and are open to first-year and sophomore students majoring in math, science, or engineering. A completed application consists of:

• Application form—coming soon
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume

Interviews are conducted in November by the program director and operations management assistant, with decisions made by December 31. Reach out to Director of Teacher Preparation Jillian DiBonaventura with any questions or for more information.

In addition to required coursework for your major, you’ll need to take the following pedagogy courses:

• ID 3100 Teaching Methods
• ID 3200 Sheltered English Immersion
• PSY 2401 Psychology of Education
• PSY 2410 School Psychology or PSY 1404 Developmental Psychology (offered in alternate years)

Check out the graphic below for an example of how the requirements for the Teacher Preparation Program can be integrated into your time at WPI.

You’ll be required to complete three pre-practicums as well as a teaching practicum, outlined below.

Pre-Practicum I (K-12 hours)

You must complete 10 hours (volunteer or paid) in C- or D-Term of your first year, or the summer after your first year.

Opportunities:

• Tutoring
• After-school or summer programs

WPI-coordinated opportunities:

• STEM tutoring at the YMCA
• Math tutoring at WPI
• Teaching assistant or tutoring role at Worcester Tech High School
• Working at the science festival at the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg & Leominster
• Summer employment with the Office of Pre-Collegiate Outreach

Pre-Practicum II (Present Lesson at Community-Based Organization)

After a fall retreat in September, you’ll work in teams to develop and present your first lesson at one of the following:

• Girls, Inc. Worcester (Last Monday in October): You’ll present to 8th grade girls in the Eureka program, following the theme “Spooky Science”
• Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg & Leominster (October and March breaks): You’ll work with the Club Director to present STEM-related activities to after-school program students in grades K-5 and 6-8

Pre-Practicum III (Central MA Classroom Visits)

As a field component of ID 3100, you’ll visit six classrooms around central Massachusetts to observe teachers in a variety of settings, styles, and subjects.

Teaching Practicum

You’ll complete a 15-week experience at a local school (most common placements are in Worcester, Auburn, Millbury, Leominster, Clinton, and Shrewsbury). The practicum will include at least 300 hours in the classroom and 150 hours as the teacher of record, as well as a weekly seminar where you’ll be able to connect with other teacher candidates. Your student teaching may be completed as an IQP or independent study; physics majors may also count the practicum as their MQP.

The GoATeach (Go and Teach) Noyce Scholarship Program recruits and prepares WPI undergraduates majoring in science, math, and engineering disciplines to become secondary school teachers and have a high impact on STEM education. Scholars may receive up to two years of scholarships (up to $20,000 per year) during their junior and senior years. 

Upon acceptance of the scholarship, recipients commit to teaching in a high-needs school district for two years per year of scholarship received within eight years of graduation. Current practicum placement schools are Leominster High School and Doherty High School; past Noyce scholars are currently working at Burncoat High School in Worcester.

Internships are also available for first- and second-year Teacher Preparation Program students at local organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, Girls, Inc., African Community Education, and YMCA

• Noyce Internships: This year’s scholarship application has closed; community partners for Summer 2023 are the African Community Education, the Latino Education Institute, and the YMCA
• Noyce Scholarships: This year’s scholarship application has closed; email Kathy Chen for more information on future applications