The Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a Pre-Dental option prepares you for admission to dental schools in Georgia and across the country, where you can earn a Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD) to become a dentist. Dental schools offer other degrees too, such as a doctorate in oral biology, a DMD with a concentration in business, and a doctorate in medicine (MD) with additional training in oral surgery. With a Chemistry Pre-Dental degree, you will problem solve, alleviate patient pain, promote oral health, and contribute to the greater good of society.

The Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a Pre-Medical option prepares you for admission to medical schools in Georgia and across the country, where you can earn a Doctorate in Medicine (MD) or Osteopathic Medicine (DO) to become a physician. In medical school, you can study pediatrics, psychiatry, emergency medicine, or other specialties. With a Chemistry Pre-Medical degree, you will problem solve, alleviate patient pain, promote health, and contribute to the greater good of society.

The Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a Pre-Optometry option prepares you for admission to optometry schools across the country, where you can earn a Doctorate in Optometry (OD) to become an optometrist. In optometry school, you can study sports vision, vision therapy, neuro-optometry, or other specialties. With a Chemistry Pre-Optometry degree, you will problem solve, improve patients’ vision, promote their health and well-being, and contribute to the greater good of society.

The Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a Pre-Pharmacy option prepares you for admission to pharmacy schools in Georgia and across the country, where you can earn a Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD) to become a pharmacist. Pre-Pharmacy is one of our most popular degree options because pharmacists are in high demand and enjoy a rewarding career. With a Chemistry Pre-Pharmacy degree, you will problem solve, help patients, promote health, and contribute to the greater good of society.

Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who work in dental offices. Dental hygienists focus on several areas of oral care, including cleaning teeth, conducting screening procedures for a variety of dental conditions, taking and developing dental x-rays, making impressions of patients’ teeth, educating patients about good oral health and more. The dental hygiene program at Valdosta State University trains students to be professional dental hygienists and leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Exercise Physiology is the study of acute and chronic adaptations associated with physical activity. Exercise physiologists have a strong background in the scientific basis underlying exercise-induced physiological responses. Applied exercise physiologists manage programs geared toward healthy individuals and those with controlled diseases, while clinical exercise physiologists work with physicians in clinical settings to apply physical activity and modify behaviors based on proven benefits.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology (B.S.E.P) degree at Valdosta State University prepares students for three broad career paths (1) an exercise physiologist (2) as a strength and conditioning professional and (3) as a pre-request for advanced schooling including those in the health care industry.

Exercise Physiologist
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients prevent or recover from chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer) and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, strength, and flexibility.  Some physiologists work closely with primary care physicians, who may prescribe exercise regimens for their patients and refer them to exercise physiologists. 

Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Exercise physiologists are also employed as strength and conditioning coaches to help athletes improve their performance or skill in a sport and to prevent and rehabilitate injuries.  Opportunities exist working with high school, collegiate and professional athletes and are employed in high schools, colleges, fitness centers, physical therapy clinics and with professional sports teams.

Pre-Professional Health Programs

Many graduates of exercise physiology apply to advanced schooling including those in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, medicine, and chiropractic or continue at the MS or PhD level in exercise physiology or a related area.  The VSU B.S.E.P degree allows for 23 hours (6 to 8 courses) of electives in math, science and psychology to help students obtain the pre-request courses for application to graduate school. A degree in exercise physiology provides transferable knowledge, skills and abilities into many health care professions and advanced degree programs.  Of all applicants accepted into physical therapy school a degree in exercise physiology is the highest of any other major (Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service).

To learn more about this field and career of exercise physiology view the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

View the B.S. Exercise Physiology Check List.  

View the B.S. Exercise Physiology Academic Map.

View the B.S. Exercise Physiology Jr/Sr courses.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree program prepares students for the healthcare industry, currently one of the strongest employment sectors nationally. The program helps students to identify talents and interests in the field that can be developed within the program, leading to careers in fields such as medical assistance, healthcare informatics, marketing and public relations, public health, health education, and environmental health. The degree program can also lead to graduate level study in healthcare fields such as anesthesiologist assistant, athletic training, dentistry, exercise physiology, medicine, nursing (as a second degree), occupational therapy, optometry, physical therapy, and physician assistant. Specific pre-requisites are required depending on the specific healthcare field chosen.

Nurses play a crucial role in the medical system, treating and caring for ill patients, preventing illnesses, assisting doctors, and promoting health and well being. Nurses work in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, schools and other environments in which medical care is rendered. Students in the Valdosta State University nursing program develop critical thinking skills, gain an appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives, and learn how to address policy disputes and social problems related to health care. Upon graduation, Valdosta State nursing students assume leadership in the fields of nursing and health care, making a positive impact on their communities and touching people’s lives every day.