Major/Minor Requirements
Belmont offers more than 80 undergraduate majors through its seven colleges and schools -- Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Entertainment and Music Business, Health Sciences, Religion, University College, and Visual & Performing Arts. The major minor links on this page may be used to review Belmont's majors offered with specific degrees, minors, and programs eligible for teacher licensure.
Each department sets forth its individual requirements for a major and a minor. Additional work in the major will count as free electives and may be used toward graduation requirements. A student should choose a major field of study as early as possible. All students must “declare” a major and minor prior to the senior year. A student changing his/her major or minor must notify Belmont Central immediately. A student may seek licensure to teach in the State of Tennessee by completing state licensure requirements through the Department of Education. Forms are available in the Belmont Central Office. For more information on major/minor forms, see graduation section of this catalog.
This university is committed to meeting the educational needs of working adults. To this end, Belmont systematically offers the general education core on a rotating basis so that each course is offered in the evening at least once each fourth semester.
It should be pointed out, however, that Belmont will be unable to guarantee that any student can fulfill all degree requirements for traditional majors by attending only evening classes.
For a more complete explanation of programs specifically designed to meet the needs of working adults, see the University College section of this bulletin.
Belmont University offers pre-professional courses of study in dentistry, engineering, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and theology.
Since professional schools vary considerably in their admission requirements, the student is advised to first select the professional school he wishes to attend, then select pre-professional courses accordingly; however, to follow the core curriculum is a safe procedure. The Belmont University faculty advises the student at the time of registration in the selection of courses which will meet the requirements of the professional school of the student’s choice.
Pre-Engineering
Belmont University offers a pre-engineering program for those students interested in pursuing engineering studies.
Pre-Law
Law schools in the United States admit students with baccalaureate degrees who demonstrate a high potential for law study. The American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any specific undergraduate majors to prepare for a legal education and law students represent almost every academic discipline. It is important for an undergraduate student to select a major that is interesting and challenging while taking advantage of course work that can develop critical thinking and research and writing skills. A student who takes a broad range of challenging courses from demanding instructors is best prepared for law study.
Additionally, nationally accredited law schools require students to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is the second primary component in the law school admission process. Most undergraduate students take the LSAT in the spring of their junior year or in the summer prior to their senior year. The law school admission cycle will begin in the fall of their senior year.
Belmont students enjoy firsthand access to law school information with the College of Law located on campus. For more information about preparing for law school, contact the Belmont University College of Law Admissions Office.
Pre-Health
Graduate schools in medicine and health-related fields have a wide variety of curricular pre-requisites. Students who wish to take pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-veterinary, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, or pre-cytotechnology curricula should contact the Pre-Health Advisor for details concerning courses, admissions procedures, entrance examinations and volunteer experiences.
Pre-Physical Therapy
To be considered for full admission to Belmont University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, an individual must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum pre-requisite GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required to be considered for acceptance along with competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Pre-requisite course work includes 6-8 hours of Chemistry, 6-8 hours of Physics, 6-8 hours of Biology, 6-8 hours of Human Anatomy and Physiology, with two semesters of lab in each; 3 hours of statistics; and 9 hours of Behavioral Science courses.
For more information about preparing for physical therapy, contact the School of Physical Therapy.