Professional Experience Office (PXO)

The College of Science and Engineering’s Professional Experience Office (PXO) offers students support services for the following

Advising/Mentoring
Pre-Health Professions
Graduate/Professional Schools
Internships
Career Readiness

The office provides specialized advising for students planning to continue their education after obtaining a degree from HCU by attending a medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, any health profession or an engineering school. The requirements are frequently updated by maintaining close contact with all professional schools. However, specialized schools are continually modifying their curriculum; students should consult with the health or engineering professions director at their accepting institution for the most current requirements for a post-baccalaureate program. 

For more information, contact pxo@hbu.edu.

Undergraduate Pre-Professional Resources

Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental

The Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental program is open to all HCU students interested in a career in medicine or dentistry. The program is not a major; rather, it is a series of classes and activities designed to prepare students for entry into medical and dental schools. Activities in the program include membership and participation in the appropriate pre-professional student organization (Alpha Epsilon Delta, the health pre-professional national honor society; and the Pre-Dental Society), trips to medical and dental schools, and workshops offered by the Professional Experience Office. Students should check the bulletin board on the second floor of the Cullen Science building for information about scheduled activities. Students are also encouraged to seek shadowing opportunities with area health care professionals and to perform community service as individuals or in conjunction with AED and PDS.

Pre-Chiropractic, Texas Chiropractic College, and Parker Chiropractic College

A current list of requirements for admission to these chiropractic colleges is maintained in the Professional Experience Office of the College of Science and Engineering. It is the student’s responsibility to check often with Texas Chiropractic College for any updates to the colleges’ requirements. For other entrance conditions, students should contact Texas Chiropractic College.

Pre-Optometry

A current list of requirements for admission is maintained in the Professional Experience Office of the College of Science and Engineering. Pre-Optometry prerequisite courses may change at any time without notice to Houston Christian University. It is the student’s responsibility to check often with the professional school of their choice for any updates. Students are encouraged to participate in the activities of our HCU Pre-Optometry Professional Society (HCU POPS).

Pre-Pharmacy

Students who plan to enter the field of pharmacy may complete the prerequisite courses at Houston Christian University before applying for admission to a school of pharmacy. A current list of requirements for admission is maintained in the Professional Experience Office of the College of Science and Engineering. Pre-Pharmacy prerequisite courses may change at any time without notice to Houston Christian University. It is the student’s responsibility to check often with the intended professional school for any updates.

Pre-Physician Assistant

Students who plan to enter Physician Assistant training may complete the prerequisite courses at Houston Christian University before applying for admission to a Physician Assistant program. A current list of requirements for admission is maintained in the Professional Experience Office of the College of Science and Engineering. Pre-Physician Assistant prerequisite courses may change at any time without notice to Houston Christian University. It is the student’s responsibility to check often with the professional school for any updates.

Pre-Engineering

For students who wish to pursue a major in a field of engineering not offered by HCU, the Pre-Engineering program is designed to prepare students to complete an engineering degree after two years of full-time study at HCU. Students are readied for two to three years of full-time study at a university that offers specialized engineering programs. The time required for the degree will depend upon the university and the field of engineering chosen. Pre-Engineering allows students to take many of their engineering, math and science courses, as well as some of their general elective courses, at HCU before transferring.

The academic advisor will provide students with advice and assistance in selecting courses to prepare them to transfer. The academic advisor will work with the student and the university the student plans to attend after leaving HCU to verify that the courses taken at HCU will satisfy that school’s requirements. To be recommended for admission to an engineering school, students must complete all required courses with a grade of a “C” or higher, and maintain a cumulative Quality Point Average of at least 2.5.

Advantages and Opportunities of Pre-Engineering

For students who wish to begin their studies at HCU and later transfer to an engineering college that offers alternate fields of engineering, HCU offers an excellent starting place. While at HCU, students benefit from the University’s quality academic programs based on strong Christian values, small classes with easily accessible faculty, and many opportunities to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including student chapters of professional organizations, music, sports, student government, and fraternities and sororities. The College of Science and Engineering provides many occasions for all students, including first- and second-year students (and pre-engineering students), to interact with industry professionals and work on realistic projects while learning fundamentals.

Graduate Pre-Professional Coursework

Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Coursework

HCU’s Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate coursework will academically prepare students with a bachelor’s degree for a health profession school (i.e. Medical, Physician Associate, Dental, Pharmacy, or Graduate School in the Biological or Chemical Sciences).