Pre-Professional Tracks

Accounting is a challenging and rewarding profession, and Batten University offers a number of pathways to a career. The university provides all courses required to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examinations on graduation as part of the Business program. These courses can be supplemented with an externship or internship to develop applied accounting skills. Interested students are encouraged to contact a member of the business faculty early in their program to build a four-year plan aligned with their career goals.

Art therapists use the creative process to help people of all ages improve their health and emotional well-being. They may work in hospitals, school and community clinics, vocational schools, rehabilitation centers, universities, military installations, and other healthcare and educational settings.

Students applying to accredited graduate programs in art therapy and counseling must meet the minimum standards of the American Art Therapy Association, including a B.A. with specific coursework in studio art and psychology. The Studio Art major at Batten University, combined with a minimum of 16 semester hours in psychology, meets these criteria. Required coursework includes drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, abnormal and developmental psychology, and theories of personality. A minor in Psychology is strongly recommended. Students should work with faculty advisors in both Art and Psychology to plan an appropriate course of study.

The Management, Business, and Economics department develops leaders committed to creating sustainable social, environmental, and economic value through effective and responsible business practices. The business major integrates core curriculum with allied coursework across disciplines, and prepares graduates for a wide variety of graduate programs — including Batten University's own MBA program. All courses required to sit for the CPA and CMA examinations are available on graduation.

Ministry today takes many forms: pastoral ministry, music ministry, religious education, hospital and military chaplaincies, teaching in church-related colleges, and counseling. A broad liberal arts education is required for admission to the seminaries and graduate schools that prepare individuals for these ministries. Students may choose to major in Religious Studies, Music, or another area of the humanities or social sciences. The university chaplain is available as a vocational advisor.

Batten University maintains early admission and priority decision programs with Duke University Divinity School, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Boston University School of Theology, and United Theological Seminary.

Students pursuing careers in these fields must meet the admissions requirements of their chosen professional school, including strong grades, relevant co-curricular activities, and appropriate internships, externships, or research experience. Batten University's Pre-Professional Committee guides students through the application and interview process. The student-run Pre-Professional Club holds seminars, campus visits with admissions officials, and volunteer activities at least twice each semester.

Dental School

Students applying to dental school are expected to achieve a satisfactory score on the DAT and complete: General Biology (BIO 132, BIO 200), Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120, CHEM 200), Organic Chemistry (CHEM 221, CHEM 222), and Physics (PHYS 221, PHYS 222). Some programs may also require biochemistry, psychology, and English.

Medical School

Students applying to medical school are expected to achieve a satisfactory MCAT score and complete: General Biology (BIO 132, BIO 200), Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120, CHEM 200), Organic Chemistry (CHEM 221, CHEM 222), and Physics (PHYS 221, PHYS 222). Also strongly recommended: Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 221, BIO 222), Comparative Anatomy (BIO 372), Histology (BIO 371), Biochemistry (CHEM 330), and Ethics and Health Care (PHIL 221/321). See also the EVMS partnership programs for early admission pathways.

Veterinary Medicine

Students applying to veterinary programs are expected to have significant animal experience and achieve a satisfactory GRE score. Specific requirements vary by school; students should contact programs directly. General requirements include: General Biology (BIO 132, BIO 200), Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120, CHEM 200), Organic Chemistry (CHEM 221, CHEM 222), Biochemistry (CHEM 330), Physics (PHYS 221, PHYS 222), English (two semesters), Mathematics (college algebra or higher), and Social Science (two semesters). Comparative Anatomy (BIO 372) and Histology (BIO 371) are also strongly recommended.

Allied Health Professions

Students entering fields such as dental hygiene, pharmacy, nursing, healthcare management, medical technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or radiological technology typically need at least two — and often four — years of preparatory study at Batten University before applying to a professional school. Note: Batten University does not offer specialized courses in these professions, only the prerequisites required by many programs.

Joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing — Sentara College of Health Sciences

Batten University offers a joint BSN program with Sentara College of Health Sciences. Students complete General Education and prerequisite courses at Batten University, then complete BSN requirements at Sentara. See the Graduate Dual Degrees page for details on the guaranteed admission pathway to Sentara's MSN program.

Students interested in a teaching career have several options and are encouraged to contact the Education department for advising early in their academic career.

The Comprehensive Liberal Studies – Curricular Emphasis major prepares students seeking elementary (preK–6) or special education (K–12) certification. Batten University also offers a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) leading to teaching certification in thirteen content areas. Students apply to the M.A.Ed. during their junior year and begin the one-year program directly after completing their bachelor's degree.

The Old Dominion University Pre-Engineering Program allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Science from Batten University and a Master of Science in Engineering from ODU in five years. Starting in their junior year, students take one or two engineering courses per semester at ODU. After graduating from Batten, students are automatically admitted to the one-year Master of Engineering program at ODU. Programs are available in Aerospace, Biomedical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering, as well as Modeling & Simulation.

Students interested in the environment may major or minor in either Earth and Environmental Sciences or Environmental Studies. Those primarily interested in science should consider Earth and Environmental Sciences to prepare for graduate work in environmental science, ecology, or toxicology. A dual degree with Old Dominion University leading to a Master's in Environmental Engineering is also available.

Students interested in a more interdisciplinary path may consider the Environmental Studies or Sustainability Management majors, which offer a breadth of curricular options across a diversity of interests and career goals in the environmental field.

Many Batten University students have been accepted into law school. No single major is recommended for students interested in a legal career; law schools emphasize the importance of a broad liberal arts education in which the student has excelled. See the Graduate Dual Degrees page for information on dual degree partnerships with Appalachian School of Law and Regent University School of Law.

The Social Work program prepares students to improve human well-being, meet human needs, and advocate for the vulnerable. Social Work education blends classroom learning with a strong emphasis on field education — a direct complement to Batten University's commitment to civic engagement and community-based learning. The program promotes critical thinking across micro, mezzo, and macro levels, grounded in a liberal arts foundation.

Students completing the Sport and Recreation Management or Recreational Therapy major are eligible to sit for the national examination to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP). Students completing the Recreational Therapy major and designated coursework are also eligible to sit for the examination to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).

The Sustainability Management major prepares students to help organizations adopt and achieve environmental sustainability and social responsibility goals through a multidisciplinary approach. Students learn the scientific principles of sustainable business, the philosophical foundations of global sustainability, and the regulatory frameworks for achieving it. The major concludes with a senior-level experience — either advanced coursework with an internship or a sustainability-focused Study Away experience.